The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-22
AFFAIRS AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Debate in The Senate OIL the Submarine
Telegraph Bill.
THE CORRUPTION COMMITTEE BEFORE THE HOUSE.
COMMITMENT OF CONIUMACIOUs WITNESS,
&C.. &C., &c.

Interesting from Washington.
The SUBMARINE TELEGRAPH TO EUROPE IN
yEsTIa ATING COMMITTEE AND THE CoNTUAACI0Us
WITNESSES, ETC.
WAsHIyGroS Jan 2l 1857.
Mr. Seward submitted to the Senate to day the views
OF Geographical Society of New York the subject
Of coins protesting against tho Of three cen
and three dollar coins and urging strict adherence to
our decimal system No action however viii be had By
Congress.
The Oceanic Telegraph bill taken mp In the Senate
discussed, and again postponei till 70 morrow. Mr.
Hunter thought the government should only
pay for it, messages az al individual Mr.. Ban
jamin thought the bill needed amendment Mr.. Seward
proposed the amendments, one Of them limiting the
amount TO be paid by government 10 seventy five
thousand dollars Mr.. Rask was opposed to any amend
ment he would trust the President, and If necessary
vote two hundred THOUSAND dollars per annum. The en-
terprise based American capital In the event OF
between England and the United States the ursdc
ton Of the termin OF the telegraph would amount 20
nothing as the telegraph Itself would be stopped
The prospect now tina. the bill will pass Congress and
become o law
The bill es.ablishing Southern navy yard was dis.
sussed till the hour Of sdjou rnmoa and although the
debate has been sectional ligger has not figured
in Il.
The entire day hiss been consumed In the House with
report from the p..en investigating committee,
stating that Mr.. Smontoa had testified that certain
members Of Congress had approached him and had de-
sired 10 know If they could net through him procure
money for their votes certain bills" The committee
asked, "wnl you give the OF the membersf' Mr..
S. responded ~ cannot without violation Of conf
dence. Two have made direcs propositions, and others
have Indicated desire TO SOD On this testimony the
committee report resolution, ordering the arrest Of
Mr.. Smonton, and bill making punishable by hne and
imprisonment in the Penitensry for witness to refuse
before committee o Congress 20 any question
propounded to him.
The resolution WAS adopted, and Mr.. simonton, who
had remained at his desk, stepped within the bar OF the
House accompanied by the Sergeant at Arms, and an
Aounoed his readiness to the charge Of contempt
Considerable roise and confusion prevailed After much
conversation Mr.. s. permitted to the ques
tons to be propounded by tho Speaker and Mr. Banks
having read of the niorroga,oriss, Mr. simonon pro-
oeeded to defend himself against such . prosecution
The House, he said had specially eiscaimed bAsiDg any
Investigation upon newspaper articles, had sneered at
their influence and denounced all eiors and correspond
ents Now they professed 10 be ct stand st unless the
Newspaper articles could be corroborAted. The commit
tee and House had fsn from their high position back
Upon tho newspapers snd called upon them to make
good the cbarfes.
The vote being taken, It sa decided by q large ma
contempt and thst be bs kept close custody BY the
Sergeant a Arms until tne Ain Of March next, unless
otherwise ordered by tho House motion reconsider
n pending, but will be laid on tho table.
Custody does not conBnemeut, and Il Is appre.
hsnded that Mr. Smonton win be fed the OF the
se,:.cr at Uncle Sans expense.
was urged upol the ocr ,hS. tho bill should DO
passed Immediately, there wore ,'hsrs-incuding,
II IL supposed, Mr.. raymond -h, should
made TO teStfy under is pend provisions. The act
atsoves from punish all testify against accom-
plces The power House 90 arrest and I'm prison
was doubted by large msjsry OF the members, but cir
stances forced many Of then vote aye 70 avoid suspi
cion. Mr. Smith, OF Alstsma gave notice that TO NOR
row he should move Va, egery member should be re-
CURED 70 rise his seat In alphabetical order and say
dhe was willing 10 release Hr. Sim ,nion from bis obi
,ysuen OF sccresy. There Ia some fun ahead.
Mr, Giosbrepner Is expected here this evening with
Col Chester, Who s nou under srrer Chester will 70
fuse 10 the question propor aded by the commit
scc when they vii ask 10 have arrested and brought
before the House There ce four oilers who have rs-
fused to answer, and defy tho committee, who win
DO arrested.
Il ID the intention Of tho crnni,eo learn this even.
nr 10 bring Ray mond before them again and he
fuses W answer ire questions pr Jpounded TO arrest and
hold hin In close caytody. UIsss Consress give them
,snh power they rsslgn. Tncre already two or
sArce members inrics' ID, bosdcs Judge Edwards, ~
aavtpg received hnb,s ard will DO dsolosed pro-
yidcd TIC oommii,e ca c m,ol Witnesses to swear.
The President conn lss.ss1 70 the House two mes.
ages Swing be .oSount OF rational expenses in Kan
sas dur ng the other In answer 10 the rcso
luton ealing for his authority for employing public
srch.ec, and placing the Inbi, balldngs under military
superinienderco.