Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-02-27

slavery, democratic stamp quoting Scrip
ture. dwelling on the "inequality of the
races" denouncing the Republican party,
the Topeka Constitution, the Free State
men Of Kansas, &c,b Mr. Steever,who was
followed up by vinton, the !, "Mohaws
Dutchmap," in one Of his peculiarly rich
speeches, perfectly annihilating The labor
ed arguments and overthrowing the ride
ulous positions Of the gentleman preceding
him, exposing inconsistencies and absurdl-
ties of the Democracy. The Assembly
listened with roars of laughter to the hum
orous illustrations of the member from
Green.
The Senate on the Dist did little of con-
sequence. Kilbourn University passed to
a third reading.
In the Assembly J. F. was
BROUGHT up as a centumacious tness.-
The following resolution was introduced IN
reference to the Investigating resolution:
Resolced THAT the resolutions heretofore offered in
this House. proposing to investigate the conduct OF per-
sons therein named, be referred to the Joint
of Investigation with instructions to investigate the
charges therein contained and that said committee be
further instructed to subpoena the members OK thisouse
who introduced said resolutions, and such other MEM
bers as they may think proper to testify at whose IN
stance under what arrangements and for what pur
nose the same introduced and whether it has been
done at the instance and with the connivauce OF Byron
Kilbourn VIM A. Barstow Thomas Falvey, and other
conumacious Witnesses their attorneys for the pur
pose embarrassing nd bringing into contempt the IN
vestigation i'll progress to the charge OF corrp
ton in the Legislature of 1856; and that the said JONI
committee by Instructed to report thereon at their ear
Hest convenience for the further action CT this House
Both Houses periodically celebrated
Washington's birth day, the 22d by-do-
ing nothing.
The great event Of the week has been
the Habeas Corpus case before the Su
preme Court, on the application of Tom
Falvey and Byron Kibourn to be discharg
ed from the custody Of the Assembly
The case was ably argued by j. H. Knowl-
ton, H. S. Orion and J. A. Sleeper, i'll the
part of the Assembly, and by N. J EN-
mons, Geo. B. Smith and J. E. Arnold, on
the part of the petitioners, the arguments
we're continued through Tuesday, Wednes-
day and Thursday. Mr.Orton's argument
was a most powerful and brilliant effort
pronounced the best made in discussing
The case. J. H. Knowlton very pointedly
presented some very strong points. The
arguments relied on by the opposition
were,-the assumptions that the investiga
ton was maliciously partisan, inquisitoria1
in its character; relating to persons and
matters over which the Legislature had nc
jurisdiction, that the witnesses were com
PEELED to answer illegal questions by re-
plying to which they would disgrace them
selves; that the refusal to answer was no.
contempt of the Legislature; that if il
were there could be no contempt ola joint
committee, which the Legislature coald
punish; that immunity from punishment
was offered as bride to witnesses, and fin
ally that the whole investigation and al
the action taken to carry it out was sun
constitutional"
This morning our glorious Supreme
Court gave their decision, unanimously
agreeing to sustain the Legislature on al
points, remanding the prisoners to the Gus
tody of the Assembly, subject to their dis
posal, on the ground that an inqllsltorla
power on the part of the Legislature wa
necessary to the existence and purity O
government; that the Legislature had {
right to investigate by joint committee
or any other instrumentality that Their,
was contempt Of the House which ISSUED
the proct IS; that the witnesses were not
exempt from testifying under the provision
of the constitution that no one should bt
compelled to give any evidence eliminating
himself, because he was indemniEed against
any criminal process founded thereon; anf
there was no authority to protect any one
against giving such testimony as woule
disgrace HIMSELF and finally that the Su
preme Court had no appellate jurisdiction
over the Legislature. was unable te
hear the decision delivered, but learn that
the above were the principle points decid
ed. The investigation will GO ON.
So mote 1T be.
Yours, EaAP.