Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-01-29
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

The Ceremonies AT an early hour to-day
state Of the weather, the ceremonies to be per-
formed at the Capitol over the remains of the
late Preston s. Brooks-the programme OF
which will be found in another column-Were
to be attic nded by an immense throng OF citi-
zens and strangers of all degrees and positions
in society. Long before the two Houses met
the galleries, rOtunds, and avenues leading
to the two chambers Of Congress were almost
blocked up by the living mass thus attracted
into the Capitol building.
The delivery of the eulogy pronounced by
Mr.. Toombs in the Senate chamber was cut
short by the state Of his feelings, which go
o7ercame him as that he took his seat in the
middle Of the discourse he designed speaking
The eulogies delivered In the House were
able and eloquent efforts indeed. An allusion
to the affair in the Senate chamber between
the deceased and Senator Sumner, embraced
In the remarks OF Dir. Savage, however, gave
rise to manifestation Of much excitement,
and to no little conversation, on the part Of
many Of the members in all parts of the
chamber during the recess. 1t bids far to
become the subject of much newspaper com.
msnt, We apprehend.
The Ta.ift What 90 the tree trade men OK
the House propose to do with reference to the
Tariff is question being asked. just now,
on all sides We think ourself at liberty to
answer, tina. they will support, cordially,
whatever the minority Of the " ays and Means
Committee may endorse in the report which
Mr.. LetcheF Is shortly expected to make.
Though, as might be eAIeated, the views of
the minority Of the committee may not in oil
respects meet those Of all the free-trade party
In the House-Wbich comprises at least three.
fourths of the Democrats Of the body, and here
and there others-they will adopt them as the
platform On which they can struggle to the
most advantage. Cur fear, from present signs,
however, is, that protection is largely in the
majority Of the chamber, and thus the real
contest will be only between the different ip-
ters.ts seekipg t. be benefited in the effect of
the new law in shutting out foreign competi-
ton in maLufactures) to greater or less
degree. There are not few honorable Req.
resentatives even now willing to declare them
selves il favor Of the only sound and honest
Way Of supporting the Federal Government.
We mean by a resort to direct taxation, ard
through that means alone. The number is not
yet great enough, it seems, t. warrant any in
taking the Initiative in the matter. Those who
favor this constitutional node Of raising the
revenue can merely 90 their best to strip the
nes law from the many ultrs protective fea-
lures that will be essayed, We fear with pres
pet Of success 10 he eDgraftea upon 1t We
shall see
The Protest Below the reader will find
the protest Of Senator Pugh against the enact
ment Of the law recently passed, to punish
contempts Of tho authority Of Congressional
committees. 1t is document Of great force,
AID cannot fail to impress itself upon the his.
tory Of the times. Thus, it is a powerful expo
sition Of popular doctrines or principles at the
basis Ct cur institutions and system CT govern
ment, that cannot be safely departed from
under any plea Of present necessity whatever.
Every honest man in his serses agrees with
the able author of this minority report, az to
the necessity for some legislation to secure
answers to legal questions put by Congress
sional committee charged with such work &C
has been devolyed on the committee now in
being. Yet we sincerely believe that the views
embraced in thi. report will be adopted by the
country al large, with great unanimity, on
sober second thought.
Senator Pugh'S ObJScttOn 30 the Nslc LQaU
Concerning TsstlDiong- Report
Of the Judiciary Committee
The undersigned, o member Of the Commit
tee on the Judiciary, dissents from the recon
mend alton o. his colleagues in favor Of the
House bill entitled " An act more effectually
to enforce the attendance "f witnesses on the
sumuous Of either House Of Congress, and to
compel them to discover testimony" reported
the 22d inst
The second section of the bill contains three
propositions, together with a proviso The
propositions are
j. THAT no persons examined and testify
| ing before either House Of Congress, or any
Committee Of either House, shall be held to
answer criminally in any Court If justice, or
subj ect 70 any penalty or forfeiture, for any
fact or act touching which he sh all be required
any Committee Of either House, as to which he
| shall have testified, whether before or after
the date of this act
And that no statement made or paper
produced by any witness, before either House,
or before any Committee Of either House, sh ali
BE competent testimony in any criminal pre-
cseding against such witness ia any Court Of
justice;
:. And Leo witness shall hereafter he allow ed
| to refuse 10 testify to any fact, or to produce
any paper touching which he shall be ex-
| amined by either House Of Congress, OF any
Committee Of either House, for tie re ason tn at
his testimony touching such fact, or the pro.
duction Of such paper, may tend to disgrace
| him, or otherwise render him Infamous"
These are all in alteration of the rules of
evidence, according to the common law, as
| administered in our Courts Of justice.
The lass proposition is to deprive a witness
OF bis undeubted privilege to decline to an
| swer any question when the answer itself
would prove him 10 be Infamous The un1er
| signed cannot agree that any tribunal should