The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-02-10

for his failure to appear and testify before
the Tariff Investigating Committee in
obedience to a summons on the 9th ult.
The Speaker propounded to him the qucs-
tons What excuse he had for thus act
ing, and whether he was now ready to an
swer such proper questions as should be
put to him by the committeeP
Mr. Williamson submitted an answer in
writing, and under date, saying that the
reason why he did not obey the summons
was that he was under custody OF the
Sheriff Of New York and could not leave
without his consent, and was so advised
by his counsel. 1t has always been his
opinion, and still is, that neither House of
Congress has any legal right or authority
to compel him to come before commit
tee and divulge private transactions. If
he were to divulge confidential matters
entrusted to him, it would destroy his
business, which he conducted in lawful
manner, and would impoverish his family.
After considerable discussion, it was
finally agreed that Mr. Williamson have
leave to withdraw his answer to the sum-
mons and submit an amended answer to-
morrow, and that meantime he be re-
manded to the custody of the Sergeant
alarms.
The remainder Of the day was spent 10
considering the report Of the Committee
on Elections, against allowing Mr.. Camp
bell further time to take testimony in the
Ohio contested election case. Without
taking the question the House adjourned
Friday, Senate was not in session, hav.
ing adjourned over from Thursday until
NJ onday. In the House. it was the most
exciting day thus far. 1t was voted in
expedient to allow futher time to take
supplementary testimony in the Ohio con.
tested election case--VALLANpIoHAM tey-
sus CAMPBELL. j. d. WILLIAMSON, the
witness in the Tariff Investigation, sub.
mitted his amended answer, and it then
appearing that he had answered all the
Committees question promptly, he was,
on motion of Mr. STANTON, the Chairman
Of the Committee. discharged from custo-
dy. The Lecompton question then came
up. Mr.. HARRIS, Of Illinois, withdrew
the resolution he had previously submit.
ted for sending the Message and Consti.
tuition to the Committee on Territories
and submitted another in it's place, calling
for a Select Committee, with the view Of
obtaining all the information possible rel.
alive to the formation of the Lecompton
CONSTITUTIONAL Committee to consist of
fifteen, to be appointed by the Speaker,
and to have power to send for persons and
papers. The Speaker decided that the
resolution could only be offered as an
amendment to the motion of Mr.. HuoHEs,
of Indiana, Cor Select Committee of
thirtsen,--whereupon Mr.. HARRIS unex.
pootedly acquiesced in the ruling of the
Speaker and in order as he said, TO az.
certain the fate Of his resolution at once,
moNSu tho PAo'iouS questio1. luis was
the signal for the utmost confusion. Mr.
HARRIS was in vain appealed to with.
draw his resolution, and moved call of
the House. Countsr.motions, motions to
adjourn, and motions for almost every
conceivable purpose, were then the order
this being the method taken by the
factious Lecomptonites, who found them
aelves in decided minority, to stave off
direct vote. Up to the time of going
to press with our 6rrt edition no conclu.
sion had been arrived at, and the prospect
was good for the continuance of the ses.
sion until daylight.
Desperate Fist Fight on the Floor
of the House. Encounter Between
Messrs. Keitt or South Carolina
and Grow OF Penn.
WASHINGTON, Friday, Feb. 5.
The House is still in session = 10 O'Clock.
They have been six hour~ engaged in cal.
ling the Yeas and Nays on motions TO ad.
journ. calls of the House, &C., factiously
moved by the Lecomptonites for the pur.
pose of preventing q vote on Harris mo.