The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-22
House OF Representatives.

| WASHINGTON, Jan 81, 1857.
| RxroRI OF TIVE ooRRrrIoy Nvrsnosrrso COMMITTEE "A
ooN1usACIous WINES pIsPoslD OP-BnL TO OoMPsJ
TESTIMONY, KIc.
Mr.. oRR, (dem) OF G.. from tho Corruptio Invest
eating committee rose submit a report and resolution
also bill, saying he mean, 70 ask for their immediate
consideration.
Mr.. GROW (rep) tf Pa, raised the question that such
matter could not be introduced, this being one OF
the three days specially set sp for the hderaon Of
Territorial business
Mr.. ORR, with view Of relieving Mr.. Crows appre
hersops, a. his opinion that the matter 10 which be
wshed to call the attention OF the House would not oc
eupy TIE entire day
The sfEAKIR overruled Mr. Crows point and said the
Committee have right repor, the fact that obstacles
thrown In the way OF their investigation and ap
ply TO the House for q remedy.
The report OF the committee WAS read stating ~
follows
That during the progress OF their Investigation thcy
rcspndent OF the New York Daily 7ira,s that suoog
oihcrs the following question propouDded to him -
" You'stse that certain omoers have approached you
and have desired they could not through you
procure money for their votes upon certain bilsr
that the sad Simcnton made thereto the following
respcnse cannot, -hbout violation OF corh'cnce,
than hch would rather suffer AM thin g." Ia response
10 o,ber queftous OF sntiAr import, he sad, Two
have MADE them erect, aud oilers have indicated de
70 tax with these subiecis and have waricd
proposition" To the quseaon "wbss do uuders,aad
you 10 mean when you say these communications wero
made oirecN" Mr. Smon'oo replied-T mean that ater
having obsred my promise secrecy regard them
they bavo said TO thst certain ncng oeoro
Corscss ough, TO pass TIA, parties interested tnem had
and that hey desued gpcca ally TO arrange matters
IN such cay that the measures pesen th,y should re-
otive pecuniafy compensstiou." The committee we're
impressed with the rna,ersty OF the testimony With
held ~ tho wtpets, as emoTsced the letter and spirit
OF the Inquiry directed by ts House 10 be made bu,
TheJ eoruqucnty waived The incrrogntory tnst day "
give the wtness time rtnf con the consequences
Of his reusa and 10 sGora MIN an opportunity 70 I,os
10 the Law and practice Of the House IN such
Tying b,m bs be would on some subsequent Day be &c.
2Cth instant, the said Snonioo recalled and the
ep,ca question ars, reierred 20 again prcpouudsd
sfter Que rnosce % him hat be declined 10 answer
The committee would fsci constrained 10 report his do.
cireou 10 the Horss ard ask thai BODY 70 enforce ell
it's lowers In the premises 10 compel full and complete
response. To tai in,erroga,ory he following
reply and we fve In fuli that no cj1sice may be
,,airs the de,ernissuon 70 which have come on hi.
subject desre n tsy that do not here dispute the
power cf the committee and have not heretofore do
olned 10 thai quc-ton upou any such grouud.
have oil rsspest for the c'mwIitoe snt the House;
do not esciine IN ORDER 70 tcrcen the msnbers ny
dccrnston II bssed upon my Own coavtctous Of duty.
~ ce wss last hefofe ,re miilee In deferoaoe 10
tier Judgment and wshe- nave txa nined the oae o'
ArdasnB versus Dunn 70 which they referred ms and
rave cor dcred very fuly what oust to do vice OF
that decision well In vie. 81 other considerations
The ,sui OF nv nations noon tie su o, has been
MAJ have 10 suer i oepnot answer ina, question beg
the umittee 10 understand that have no other
motive whatever iu declining ont the simple emo that
have stated before, that DO not bo~ answer
without dishonornble breach Of coou1ence. Tne an
swer TO the question by possibility be suppved 10
reflect oncredh on myself and presume that my ttue
ment OF that motive 10 corroborated BY the facts they
| appear before the commnlee I must insu upon de-
| olinrg 10 answer hs question: The House will per.
ceye that the fcrceons statement shows the mstersy
Of The testimony, and he duty OF the COMMITTEES y inss
upon iu disclosure shows the settled and def fbsrale
purpose Of the witness 70 withhold testimony right
fully and properly, and the absolute necessity the
House 70 nterpoee with promptude and nymuesa its
thory, Intended 10 expose AMI punish The corrup
uon which may exiN among he members, by ordering
The investigation your committee have been pursuing
II due the nifty and reputation OF the Amevicsn
Congress 10 purge hself OF such un worthy members N
they have thus sbsmeessy prostituted their high and
honored positions 10 such base purposes. The country
| has right 10 rnov Who have betrayed the trusts con
nded 10 them by ooustuepis The honest men Of
the House should aid BY the exercise Of al tho DO vsrs
with which they vested " secure the names OF the
supposed guilty parties, and thereby shield the general
reputation OF the body, well ~ their characters
from unjust and improper mputstou and suspicion rhe
committee consider unnecessary 70 enter Into sl.bo.
rats argument 10 establish The power OF the House this
case. The summons issued under the hand Of the
speaker eni was ses,cd ny the Clerk ot the Tf,use
AID the ccniumscy OF wtucfs contempt or thN ru
4 tofity "A there n dOnb. ShetheT tlE Ruthnr