The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1862-01-23
Congressional Proceedings.
xNXvU. COSGREsS-seuat..
Flr-e Session.

Washington, Jan. 22.-Mr Hide N II proas,,.
~ memorial protesting against the appointment
pi - hrtur 90 customs.
Mr.. Trumhull an J, frnm ~ Judiciary G. ,nmit.
tee reported back the House bi. In rcgari l., vii.
n noes examined before Congressional Committee
The hil provide that the eNainin tiuu If witnet.
before a Commttcr II Cuugrrra ShAl. not prcy,ut
lis examination In Court ~ Justice.
Mr.. ltrrb "a ! ul Iectcd b. tie bill ~ making
great innovation On the common law rul" - evil
dcnoe hy which witness /, ua obliged o. testify L.
anything which may crimillAte hun. lie ppp ~. /
making such Al innovation.
Mr.. liayntd tlIc moved n strike ont thnt portion
OF tue ln winch c"npels q witness % answer ques-
Tons which may tend ~ di-grae % make him Ia.
famous,
hr. Trmbul claimed that the uhcc, Of the h.u
WIS o. pat witnesses ON common law grounds The
law ~ II now stands enables the greatest criminal L,
escape II Lee can only Get before an Investigating
Committee Snd tell something sbout the crime,
That very case occurred with the clerk who st,Ie
two millions Of Indian bond, and he went clear that
very way.
Mr.. sumner tM,ssJ sali, thore was no other
system Of jurisprudence hut where witness Wa
efp''bd " answer questions. He thought ether
systems preferable.
Mr. Wade IN. ~ hoped the amendment would
prevail. lie did not see Why We should be ~ tan
der-i,1tcd on account 81 rugues. Were combnA-
uuns formed u rob the Government he dare IA 4
enter IN An investigation lefore his Committee be.
cause tho law, AZ Il stands, eAculpAtes great ra
calls IL had been said that witness might he com.
PEELED To- testify b. lead u a1mething that
would convict him. Well. he NV adej HOPED this
mi ght Is the case, The Till wsE finally passed.
MIR. Wade, frum the Special Committee nA the
conduct Of the war, reported bill H. au'hprize the
President 10 take Iursr4ion Of certain railroads and
telegraph lines. Referred
The case Of Mr.. Bright was then taken up.
Mr.. Davis, tPenn.,1 sdd-lu regard ~ the Sera-
tor nom Indiana, II lie had understood his course,
be had always opp,sel any measure h. cuer'e the
reheliuus states ana bring back peace the Union
u the President mad pursued such n course, aud
refused to do anything 10 relucs the rebellion, he
would be liable n impeachment. Suppose the
whole Governments hal taken the same course ~
the Senator trun Indiana, the Uuiou would have
been In ruins today, and tho experiment Of self
government destroyed. lie did not unA,nstaAd
that the Senator from Indiana had eyo-shnwu ANY
sympathy With the Government In it,s NE or ,ssAik
struggle, but had voted against ~ n,e,.suzcs ~
suldue the rebellion. The SenatH hSn indiana
had never introduced any measure mid any wurl
which shows such sympathy with the Gr,sssnment,.s
his letters show with the Confederate Government
In conclusion, he argued that the Senate had right
b. eNIel any member whose conduit IN any wny un.
hlt'd I'm for duty, and any senator who avows
himstu oIpoH'd u coercion, and who Ia not willing
t. give the Government single man or gun 10 sub
due the rebellion, was evidently untitled for SEN
atnr.
Without concluding, Mr.. Davis gave way, and
the Senate adtosrnsd, amer executive session.