Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-02-05

acknowledge his error
Mr.. Green of Missouri said that it would
be little more in conformity with the rules
of right, for Mr.. Wilson to sustain his posi-
ton, but should not ask another to prove it.
Mr.. Wilson replied that he had coincidence
to show that what he had stated was facial
expressed hope that the message would be
sent TO the Committee on Territories, with
instructions.
Mr.. Bigler of Pa. called tho attention of Mr.
Wilson 10 the striking facts in the official pa
pers. First, while in the city of Leaven'
worth there were 1900 hundred voters against
the constitution, Parrot received but 600
votes. In the district of Shawnee where
Parrot received 729 votes, 1928 were cast
against the Lecompton constitution,
Mr.. Collamer of VT. asked whether Mr..
Bgler is not perfectly aware that all the free
State men voted against it, but that not more
than oue-half of them for Stae officers.
MIR. Bigler replied that that election was for
delegate to Congress. Hewas speaking OF the
October vote at the end of a bitter contest. In
the Shawnee dist let, where Parrot received
729 votes, the other day there were 1920
votes cast against the constitution.
Mr.. Douglas inquired where the senator
| procured the information that 100 votes were
cast there in January. That was the very
thing he wanted. He wished to test its &C
curacy.
Mr.. Bigler replied, on the one hand, he
read from the certified returns made out at
the Executive Department, and on the other,
| from the returns OF the Presidents OF the re-
! spectve Houses of the Legislature.
| Mr.. Collamer inquired whether Mr.. Bigler
was aware that, at the October elections,
residence of six months was required, but at
that in january no particular time was ne
cessary.
Mr.. Bigler said that it was his deliberate
Judgment that the population in Shawnee
was less in January than in October.
Mr. Hunter of Virginia said he was willing
the question Of reference should be taken on
Monday, to which time the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The sergeant alarms brought in J. D. viii.
Hanson to answer for his failure to appear and
testify before the tariff inyes tigating commit
tee, in obedience to a summons Of the 9th Of
January.
The Speaker propounded to him the ques
tions, "What excuse he had for thus actlLg?
and "Whether he was now ready to answer
such proper questions as should be put to him
by the committee p Mr.. Wi hanson submit
ted an answer in writing, aud, under OATH
saying that the reason why he did not obey
the summons, was, that he was under custo
dy of the sheriff of New York, and could not
leave without his consent and was so advised
by his counsel. 1t always had been his opin-
ion, and still is, that neither house of Con-
gress had any legal right or authority to com.
pei him to come before committee to divulge
private transactions. Were he to divulge conf
Dental matters entrusted to him, it would de.
stroy hisEbusiness which he conducted in law
tul manner, and impoyersh his family. The
Constitution does not prohibit private affairs
from being conhdentially impaired to an agent
who does not violate the law of the land. He
had intended to test before the ourtthe pow
er OF this House to compel his attendance to
testify concerning his private business trans
actions. But, he was taken from his bed BY
force and brought here He always hoped to
show due respect to the legal and constituted
authorities. In reply 10 the question whether
he was now ready tn answer such proper
questions as might be put to him, he said he
would answer all proper questions, but not
to affect his integrity or to affect his oath or
sacred promise not TO reveal confidential COM
munieations.
Mr., Stanton said he did not wish to pre-
cipitate action, as the select committee had
not yet had an opportunity of deciding what
| course they would pursue. He desired that
time be given to have the witness brought be
fore the committee, that they might distinctly
| PROFOUND the interrogatioGs, in order to see if
there was any matter of confidence sought for
by the committee. If the witness refused to
answer proper question, the fact would be
reported to the House, and afford basis of
action. For these reasons he moved that the
further consideration of the subject be post
poned till tomorrow.
Mr.. Nilsson said the witness had not even
sought to purge himself of contempt in refus-
ing to obey the summons of the House.
Mr. Stanton suggested that the answer of
the witness be printed and that he be commit.
ted to the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms
Mr. Nilsson replied that the witness dis.
tinctly takes issue with the House. and deies
its authority. 1t was not question between
the witness and the committee, but between
the witness and the power of the House, to
compel the attendance of persons in the pros
ecution of any investigation. The House owed
this to its own dignity first to settle this ques-
ton, before the witness shall appear before the
committee to give testimony, The witness
according to the language of his reply, stood
in an attitude of contumacy.
Mr.. Stanton of o. said that if the witness
refuse to answer the questions here the
House could send him to the Attorney for the
Southern District of New York, or to the At.
torney for the District of Columbia, for a
| CtlIulndl prosecution, anu Inc House would
not tamper with him here.
Mr.. Cox of Ohio, offered preamble and
resolutions that as MIR. Williamson has moi
yet purged himself of contempt, he shall be
continued in the close custody of the sergeant.
at arms until discharged by further orders
from the House.
Mr.. Wright of Ca, offered preamble, con-
GLIDING with the resolution that Williamson
be committed to the common Jail, and there
detained till he shall have answered all lega
questions propounded to him.
Mr.. Davis of Maryland proposed that thu
Speaker reprimand Mr. Williamson for contu.
macy, and that Mr.. Williamson pay cost O
attachment, and then appear before the com.
mittee, and answer such questions as may bC
propounded to him.
Mr.. Burroughs said that the House had be.
fore them a question of frauds and vilaine
connected with the last Congress. This wa
not the first time that men had claimed supe
riority to the law. He recolected that mel
had appeared before courts Of law, and set VI
plea that they had taken obligations higher
than the laws of the land and the Consttu
ton. Such persons should be put in Jail, anC
kept there. 1t was charged that SS7 900 wai
paid to members to procure their votes for
measure calculated to strike down the inter
ests OF the North, and yet, according to tn,
suggestion OF the gentleman from Ohio, mir
Cox the House were called to send thi
witness home TO New York, to be tried for re
fusing to answer a question. But be (Mr
Buroughs) was for putting the man in iai
and keeping him there till he tells the who'll
truth He would keep him there till his flesl
withered on his bones, unless he answere,
honestly. They should compel the witness Il