New-York daily tribune., 1858-02-05
uOUsE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

The SPEAKER announced that he hdd appointed
Messrs. Boyce, Quitman, Trippe, Garnett, hott,
Wortepdyke and Spinner select Committee to con-
slider the Navigation laws of the United Staesj the
reduction Of the expenditures of the Governments
the existing duties on imports and the expectancy OF
gradual repeal of all duties aud resort exclusively
TO internal taxation, proposed by Mr. Boyces reso-
luton. 80, ..
to the officers Of the War Of iSl2 out postponed the
consideration of il until the 24th of February
The Serge ant At Arms brought in j. ID. lliianson
10 answer for bis failure to appear ana tesIy peIore
the Tariff Investigating Committee, III opedehce "
summons on the 18th Januery.
The SPEAKER propounded TO him the questions,
"What excuse he had for thus acting" and
Whether he was now ready to answer such proper
Que stions az should be put to him by the Committee
Mr. Williamson submitted an answer III writing
and under OATH saying that the why he did not
obey the was, that he was under custody OF
tile Sheriff Of New-Yorb, and could not leave Vhoui
hs consent, and was 50 advised by counsel. IL mas
always been his opinion, and etill il, that neither
lIupse Of Congress has any legal right or auti0fhyto
compel him TO come before COMMITTEE ana dica'ge
priyatetrspsactons. Were he to dlvulge c0nhien
tiM matters iutrusted to him, 1t would destroy ms
husiness which he conducted in a lawful manner, and
nnpoyerish his family. The Constitution does not
prohibit private affairs from beng conienaIiy i'm,
parted TO agent, who does not violate ths laws OF
The land. He had intended to test before Court,
the pcwer Of this House to compel his attendance 70
testify concerning his private business transactions
but be was taken from his bed by force aud
brought here tI6 always DOltu u siON iSol'SCt
to the legal and constituted authorities In reply to
the question: " Whether he was now ready to answer
such proper questions as might be put to hun he
saws " He will answer all proper questions but not
such as may affect his integrity or violate hls oain
" or sacred promise, not to reveal confidential com
" municatiOns.'
Mr.. STANTON (Ohio) said that he did not wish to
preciptate action as the Select COMMITTEE had not
set had an opportunity Of deciding what course they
would pursue He desired that time be given TO have
The witness brought before the Committee that they
might distinctly PROFOUND the nteuOgatory IN order
TO there was any matter OF confidence sought iOr
by the Committee If the witness refused to answer
a proper question the fact could be reported to the
Hcpse, and it will afford basis of action. For these
reasons he moved that the further consideration of tho
subject be postponed till tomorrow.
Mr.. MII1.SON (Va.) said that the witness has not
even sought IL purge himself of contempt in refusing
to obey the summons of the House.
Mr. STANTON suggested that the answer OF the
witness be printed and that he be committed to the
custody of The Sergeant alarms.
Mr.. MILLSON replied that the witness distinctly
takes issue with the House, and deed its authority
1t wss not now question between the witness aud
the Committee, but between the witness and the
power Of the House to compel the attendance OF per-
sons fer the prosecution of any investigation. The
House owed this 10 its dignity, rst to settle this
Questicn 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 said that, il the witness shall refuse
hun 70 the Attorney for the Southern District OF New
YORK. TO the Attorney for the District of Columbia,
for criminal prosecution; and the House would not
tamper with him here.
Mr.. cox tOhio) offered preamble and resolution
TO tins effect; As Williamson has not yet purged
" himself OF contempt, he shall be continued in the
!" close custody Of the Sergeant-a Arms, until dis
charges 10y the further orders of the House, until
" he shall have purgcd himself Of the contempt"
Mr. WRIGHT tGal offered preamble concluding
With the resolution that Williamson be committed to
the common jail, and there detained until he shall
have answered all legal questions propounded TO him
Mr.. DAVIS (Ind.) proposed that the Sneaker do
repTimand Mr. Williamson for contumacy, aud that
Winiamson nav the cost Of the attachment and then
appear before the Committee and answer such qucs.
t.ons as may be propourded 10 him.
Mr.. BtRROUGHS said that the House had before
them question Of frauds and vil!anieS, connected
with the last Congress. This was. not the rst time
men bad claimed superiority TO the law; lie rSco-
ected men had appeared before courts of law and set
up plea that they had taken obligations higher than
the laws Of the land and the Constitution Such per
sons should be put in isil and kept there. II was
charged that nearly 100000 were PAID I" members
10 secure their vees for measure caculatedt0 strike
down the interests Of the North, and yet according TO
the suggestion Of the gentleman from ONO MI ~ an
toni The House asked to send this witness home
10 Nev-foik 10 be tried ior refusing to answer
question. But he (Mr. Burrcughsl was for pattinS
This man 10 jail and keeping lin there until he tells
the "hoie truth. lie would keep him tlerc until us
hosh wthered on his bones, unless he answered
tois sly. They should compel the witness TO
answer, in order TO elicit facts. He believed that
during the last ten years vllanic had been com ned
IN and about Congress; and they should DC held res
porsible 10y the word, for neglect Of duty did they
Got investigate the charges which had been made.
He believed that the future existence OF his ,ccrn
nent depends upon the integrity Of Congress lie put
IL 10 ue couscienCes and hearts uf gentlemen 10 say
whether they should let men here 10 defy tho
power OF Congress. Any thieVing sCouudrCl might
piasd "e0aSdontisl COMMUNICATION 20 shold hu,-