The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-02-16

Judge Stump. 1t is contemplated, learn, to take
some rebutting evidence in this The Regis
try law for Baltimore city, has been favorably re-
ported on in the House. 1t is not supposed that
the bill to increase the private stakeholder direc
ton in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad will pass,
nor that any new legislation will be adopted in
reference to that road.
| The precise character of the committees func-
| ton does not to be understood. Do Brock
and his counsel constitute one party, and the three
cent fare men and their counsel the other, and
the committee tribunal to decide on their respec-
tive claims and merits? Or does the committee re-
present the sovereign power of the State, seeking
| to obtain information on points nearly affecting
her policy, and the interests and morals of her citi
Zens? So far the issue involves nothing but the
right of this party or that to make money by rail
road opera iOns in the city of Baltimore, or the
morals and behavior of the respective supporters
of the Travers Brock, or the Barnum- Brooks mea-
sure, it is one in which the community have compa-
ratiyely little interest and the might be tried
| by the parties in their own way.
| If, however, it be thought, that the committee
represents the State, which has an interest alto
gether above that of the individuals concerned the
| case assumes another aspect, and should be tried
on different principles. The investigation was un
questionably set foot for the State, and all the
modes of information by which men are accustom
ed to shape their course are open. The attempt to
apply certain rules of evidence in such invest
cation this, is an attempt to defeat justice. Fol
example, it was proposed to be shown how the three
Captain Taylor was put on the stand to prove that
he was present at Fardys ship-yard, when John
Hinesly, on the afternoon of the day of the meet
ing, drove into the yard, and had talk with Joe
Edwards, who was afterwards seen with party o.
caulkers in the Square by Captain Taylor, and
who confessed to Captain Taylor that he was COM
PEELED (by species of duress) by Hinesly to &C
to the meeting. The conversation of Taylor with
| Edwards objected to, because Edwards himse
the best Witness and besides, it was necessary
to connect Edwards with Brock. Then Edwards
was put on the stand and testified that he was in
vted by Hnesly to go to the meeting and ne went in
| consequence; but when asked what Hinesly said
| he stopped. Mr.. Hnesy must be put on the
| stand in order to show what he said to Edwards
| and whose agent he in the matter. Now,
| take for granted that the legislative and judicial
function are altogether distinct, and that it is in
their legislative capacity that the gentlemen of
| the committee are seeking information. There are
no rules laid down in any book that | know tC
the precise form of obtaining evidence, ofthe proper
| character to affect the mind of the w-makine
power. In this respect, men are thrown upon their
own resources, and assume their responsibility
They have the largest liberty of investigation, and
should look with the utmost suspicion upon any
attempt to limit the range OF their vision.
This evening caucus will be held, to select
successor to the Hon. James A. Pearce. 1t is sup
posed, that Mr.. Long, of Somerset, will be the
candidate selected. The Hon. James A. Stewart
another gentleman thought of for the same place,
has been in the Hobbies to day, looking after his
own case, suppose. The caucus will also decide
whether the delegates to the Charleston Conven
ton shall be chosen by the Democratic members o
the Legislature, or by State Convention of the
party. The latter mode has most friends.