Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1857-01-30


SrNArr.-rhe Senate to-day discussed the
bin from the House, compelling witnesses to
testify under certain circumstances.
Mr.. Hale expressed hope that some friend
of the bin would explain its object and the
necessity of its passage.
As he understood the bill, it proposed TO |
strike out the existence of the principle which
has been considered necessary to the protcc-
ton of individual rights in court in every state
in the Union, and to strike down the princl-
plo which has been held sacred for centuries,
wherever common law is practiced, and that
is the privilege which protects witness from
answering in matters which will criminate
himself The bill provided that witness
should not be held liable to any criminal in
dictmont for anything he may disclose, nor
shall the matter be used in evidence against
himself lie did not believe Congress had the
right to do any such thing. The bill creates
now ofensc and then says man guilty of
this ofonse shall be liable 20 indictment for
il. as a misdemcanor in any court of the Uni
ted States having jurisdiction of it,
Mr. Toombs remarked that the bill was not
liable to the objections which have been made
bv the Senator from New Hampshire IL was
not am cc post facio law, because it did not
make that action criminal now which was in
noccnt before. and it was the universal rule
in all courts of Justice that it is perfectly
competent at any time for legislation to alter
the remedy provided in existing laws. Now
the case was that in ondoayoring to ascertain
the truth of the charges that certain members
of Congress were guilty of corruption and
bribery. on attempting to be bribcd, the House
call up, as they had right TO do by law,
. ,.f lao W
charges. and they refuse TO answer on the
ground that point of honor prevents thieves
tclhug Of one another. The principle OF
| thieves was brought forward to prevent the
/ admins tration of public Justice.
This gentleman, who has been intrustcd
/ with this felony. cannot, for honors sake, dis
/ close it, A large portion of the House and
Senate think Congress has the power to com
pei him TO answer, and for that purpose this
bill has been introduced. and because it seem
ed that the present punishment is inadequate.
This seemed 20 bc the only mode in which
they could ascertain the truth of this allega-
ton, because the bill provided that, whenever
in future any witness shall be brought up,
and refuses 20 testify. he shall be liable to a
certain pcnalty The law in some of the
States compels contcdcratos in crime TO tcsh-
| f against each other Whatever a man may
swear to. it cannot make him Infamous, un-
less he is infamous already, and 1t is better
for public Justice that his iniamy should bc
cvrosod than that i'm consequence of screen.
ip5 himself tbo puilN should be allowed to
,.o,,o
The bin was passed, only three voting a.
gainst it,
H., Tbo trop.o was cpgaced mainly
ON tt,, .,,ri,,to calendar
-. Tan Of 1879
, ~, .I ~ .-,
oEN w i''o" 81. Nr..
3eu''',' g' WI .u'',.,' n.. t., 80 NJ
",''''' 'O' ''N ''''''
T,o sor,to ,,rococJcl In the consideration
or b;lls rciati,c m tbo District of Columbia
Mr. FrssonJcn prc.entod The crcdctials OF
Amos Morse of Maine. to I'm the vacancy
accustomed Inv fine RESIGNATION of Mr.. Hamlin
NJ Morse tben appcarcd and was qualified
mo Senate thep n,s.cd sundrv pritate bill.
of M ,,opcr,I interest and alioirped
HoTsr-Nr. Wakeman presented a pcti
t;on from many merchants of Now York. ask.
Inc tl,ot tbe d,it, bo taken off iinported SUGAR
Tbe Scr,c,nt.at- Arm. broupbt Mr.. Cbeste,
beforc tbe uonsc. and a resolution was adopt
cd ON motion ~ Mr. Kelsey calling on ia,
,,itros. 10 c,r,isb ann, ,,c,,., ,,b, M did mot
-,.,.-e. ha4o,e tho .slcot committee. Ate,
debate IT was determined that Mr.. Chester
should answer in writing, under oath
Mr.. Wade, by request Of the chairman O.
the select committee. asked leave to offer
resolution that Mr.. Chester be discharged
from custody, after he shall have appeared be-
fore the select committee and fully answered
all proper questions which may be put to hin
by the said committee.
Mr.. Stevens objected until he could hoa
what his answers were.
The Sergeant-at-Ams then retired witt
his prisoner, and private bills were considcre,
until adjournment.
MONDAY. Jan. 26.
SENArE.-Mr. Wilson gave notice of bill
to secure to actual settlers tho alternate see
tons of lands reserved in grants to States fol
Anor n debate tb. eor.t, ,,.ss,l =
On motion of Mr. Seyard Il ,,os 'rosol, 81
that the Secretary of War be required to di
rect Typographical engineers to inquire anc
report whether public interests will be pro
NOTED by a survey of the Niagara river or any