The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-04-13
Washington News.

In 1856, number of wealthy Democratic
politicians in New York, who made the
New York hotel their headquarters, raised
between 100000 and $4,000 to aid the
Democracy of Pennsylvania carry that State.
The House Investigating Committee, now
in session at the capital, determined to in
quire by whom this money was contributed,
and how expended. AUGUSTUS ScHELL,
Collector of the port of New York, raised
most of the money, but he refuses to divulge
the names Of contributors. A despatch
dated April 4, says:
Messrs. Schell and ButterwortE were
before the Investigating Committee again
to day. Mr.. Schell still refused to furnish
a list of subscribers to the New York hotel
fund, if he had one, which be did not admit,
though he thought he had some names.
The committee adopted a resolution to be
reported to the House, asking that the wit
ness be brought before the House for con-
tempt in refusing to produce the list.
On the 9Th, in the House, resolution
was offered by the Committee, directing the
Sergeant at Arms to take Mr.. ScHELL into
custody, for refusing to answer questions
propounded. The following is telegraphed
as the proceedings OF the Committee on the
4th inst. =:
Mr.. Butterworth also appeared before the
Committee and was informed that Mr..
Haskin declined furnishing copies of his
(Butterworths) letters, but that he had no
objection to his own being exhibited. Mr.
Butterworth said that he would prefer his
letters being produced as explanatory of
Mr.. Haskin's replies, but with the latter's
consent the replies would be forthcoming.
They were then opened and read, to the
great amusement of the Committee. In
these letters Mr.. Haskin urges Mr.. Butter
worth to stand by the Presidents Lecomp-
ton policy, and not to run after Bob Walker
or Douglas. This was three weeks after the
Lecompton Message was communicated. In
the January following he speaks of the me-
cessity of the enabling act, and appeals to
Mr.. Butterworth in these words " Where
shall got" 1t is understood that all par
agrapbs touching Kansas will be extracted
from this correspondence and entered as part
of the testimony, and Mr.. Haskin may pro.
duce Mr.. Butterworth's letter touching the
same subject. He is to have another OPP
portunity to do so. Some of the letters Of
Haskin are exceedingly rich in style, par
ticularly one making reference to an inter-
view the writer had with Secretary Toucey.
The following colloquy transpired during
Mr.. BUTrERwoRTH's examination:
Mr.. Covode-You said yesterday you re-
garded some of the questions impertinent
and such as the committee had no right to
ask. Have you had any conversation since
with the President on this point?
Mr.. Butterworth--No sir have seer
the President but once, and that was at the
public levee. He inquired if the committee
had gotten through with me; that was all
which passed on the subject.
Mr.. Covode-Has the President not ad-
vised you, since you were last before the
| committee, that it had only certain powers
and that you could refuse to answer.
Mr.. Butterworth-The President woulo
hardly venture to advise me on that subject
after practice of twenty years at the bar
feel competent to determine such ques.
ton for myself. I have already stated the
only conversation had with the President
since I was last before the committee.