The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-22

dred dollars and be Imprisoned 10 the peniteniiary not
than year less than month No person
thus esng shall be held before any court Of
Justice for any acs disclosed before the committee OF either
Mr.. RiTCHIb, or Pennsylvania moved To amend the
bill BY adding to the second se.on the following pro-
viso
Provded That nothing in this act contained shall ex
empt witness from prosecution and punishment for perjury
b him y swing s In % ~es snr he
may produce.
Mr. stated that he offered this amendment in Difference
10 the views Of gentlemen who had expressed doupis on
the subject although he did not believe the Dill would @
empt WITNESSES from such crimes.
Mr.. ORR, OF South Carolina thought that the amend
ment suggested by the gentleman from Pennsy
might be necessary, but be did not think that ihe p
would exonerate any person.
Mr. COBB of Georgia. desired give notice of amend
ment that be wished TO offer TO the amendment already OF
ered 10 the BILL the being to put beyond doubt the
power about which gentlemen differ with reference to the
right &C the House to prson witnesses who refuse TO tes
tify or produce papers before commiee The minority
of the House do not believe that such powe exists without,
the passage of law the subject and he intended
TO move that persons thus offending may be imprisoned
in Jail for period not exceeding six months
The SPEAKER stated that the bill pending was one Of
general egsation based upon facts and suggested whelh
the action of the House should not be confined 10 TINS
particular case.
Mr.. ORR replied that the committee may not be able to
proceed in their investigation as to report he facts 10
the House unless ouch bill be passed. with view
greater punishment on recusat witnesses than the
mitice suppose the House has the power TO inlet
MrQUIrMAN, Of Mississippi, believed that the Speaker
made correct decson AS TO the general character oil TINS
bill lie opposed to this rapid legislation 10 cover
this specific case which affects the privileges OF the people
OF the country, well as the members Of the House
Mr. BENNETT of Missouri, proposed that the bill be
the Committee the Judiciary with instructions
to report il forthwith.
dnswets to that extent The investigation must fail II the
bill was REFEREED would not be reported back in time
for the Committee TO afa themselves 81 Us Provisions lie
argued TO show h necessity dad Justice OF it's immediate
passage and stated that the country has Alright to know
who are the two members allsded TO by Mr. Simenton
He protested against gentlemen being suspected OF wrong
and yet sufficient being afforded to ascertain the
truth these grave charges through the pubic press
Mr.. STANTON, of Ohio, did not believe II essential az
ter the adoption of the resolution of the committee that
this bill should be passed to day or lie wished
that the bill night be re:ommtted to the select commit
tee 20 hat thgy could teutn il when they thoght prop
err and that it might be printed that members might have
Mr.. II. MARSHALL Of Kentucky, had no idea that the
Committee the Judiciary should be thus ovesaughed
and therefore moved that the bill be recrrtd TO that com
mittee
Mr. ORR submitted resolution, which was adopted, TO
the effect that William b. Flood clerk Of the Sergeant-a-
Arms be Authorized and directed to execute the orders OF
the House during the absence of Mr. GlossDrenner Sr-
Mr. DAVIS, of Maryland, remarked that the question
whethe: the House would the obstacle thrown
in the Way IF the Investigation Or pfrmit the object 10
ance of passing the bill.
Further debate THIS subject sas hf interrupted by
the acting 6rgeahtia Arms Who cane into the hell with
Mr. Siontou, ana informed the Speaker that pursuant to
order be had the latter in custod;.
The SPEAKER stated that the acting Sergeant-a
Arms would take Simonton before the sceci committee
Mr. ORR remarked that he was willing that he should
appear before II to purge himself Of contempt
Mr. BURNETT; Of Kentucky, denied the power Of the
Speaker to issue such order.
Mr. II. MARSHALL, Of Kentucky, asked whether the
Speaker had decided what was 10 be done with the ac-
cused2
The SPEAKER had directed the acting sergcan.-at-
Arms 10 hold him in custody ill the House shall other
wise direct.
NJ. JONES, Of Tennessee, remarked that the acting
Sergean atArms having executed the Speakers warrant
had arrested and produced Smonon at the bar of the
House and he submitted whether it wthn the power
and Jurisdiction of the Speaker to order the acting Ser
geant.at Arms to take this man out and keep him in
custody an indefinite period of time
The Speaker had ma lie no such order.
Mr. JONES. The witness is here, and if he wishes to
answer TO the charge he has the right
The STEAMER The House can take such oider as it
wishes
Mr. BURNETT, of Kentucky, moved that the prisoner
be heard and in justification q! his voting against the
resolution for his arrest he stated that there was r
buna in this country where party could be deprived of
his liberty and punished without due process OF law
Hence he had wished 10 know the law hch the
mtce based their action in reporting that resolution He
desired the investigation to be thorough, and here the
place for tic witness to purge the contempt because he
already guilty oft
pose of the prisoner in some way He before the
House process OF attachment. Mr. ID. concluded by
submitting resolution directing the Speaker TO call
the prisoner to show why he should not be
mtted for refusal to the questions propounded
by the committee stated in their report; and that be
have ill Tomorrow morning to make his answer and
meanwhile remain in the custody of the Serge
Mr.. COLFAX of Indiana agreed with the gentleman
from Maryland that the witness should have answered the
questions but he was an American citizen and should be
heard in defence either in person by counsel Ces OF
"Thats TightT1
Mr. H. MARSHALL stated that he diSsentcd from the
reasoning Of the gentleman from Maryland He did not
wish to issue another f against the party Let get
him at once.
Mr.. MlLLS0N, of Virginia. remarked that at the very
moment the prisoner brought in it the province
OF the Chair TO make known him the report of the Sc
ect committte-tbe indictment speak-and when be
made acquainted herewith, inquiry should he made
whether he WAS ready 10 10 The charge Whether
he heari at this time would dcreud upon the iudg-
ment OF the House who should not like the rule of Rhada
manthus, punish first and Judge afterwards.
Mr. IRlPPE OF Georgia. proposed that the prisoner be
brought TO the bar Of the House tomorrow answer to
the charge of contempt either in person by counsel
but afterwards acqutsced in the amendment of Mr. Com
of Georgia that Immediately this Speaker shall proct ed
to read TO heaccused the Bcton of the committee
subject giving the prisoner the privilege of respor ding
at at twelve o'clock tomorrow That would give
him time IL be wanted it,
Mr.. ORR, of South Carolina omitted the following
resolution substitute for the whole matter
Re,olced, That the Speaker forthwith inform j. W. ST
monitor of the charge which he is arrested and PROFOUND
to him the question: Are you ready 10 show why
thef proceedings shall not be had against
contempt and do you wish heard person or by
sci, now or at what timer
Mr.. WARNER Of Georgia, addressed the House ut con
siderable length contendng that IL The House had The
power order tho investigation they have tie power to
enforce the replies Ct Witnesses and il legal proper
questions had been propounded The refusal to