The New York herald., 1868-05-16
THE F0RTIETH CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

WASHINGTON, May Is, 1868.
THE ATTEMPT TO sUBORN SENATORS IN THE MPEACH-
MENT TRIAL
Immediately after the reading Of the journal Mr..
WOODWARD, (dem.) OF Pa, rose and submitted a
resolution as question of privilege The resolution
was read, as 6llows:-
whereas a letter has been published purporting to
be addressed by members Of this House TO Senator
from the state Of Missouri with view OF influencing
his vote upon the articles Of impeachment preferred
states and now pending In the Senate OF the United
states sitting as a Court Of impeachment, which
letter as published is as folows:-
uoD ous Tnssa o. S Ssy H. 1863
sIR-On consultation of the republican members of the
position Impeachment articles ask you withhold
vote On any article upon which you cannot vote affirm
Of the loyal people of the United states demands len the
fr''''"' o' ''' '"''' ''"' eToE,:E v. ANDERSON
GA NEwCoMB.
BENJAMIN r. LOAN.
JOHN r. BENJAMIN
JOSEPH J. GRAvELY.
And whereas such a communication, IL addressed
to a senator sitting IN Judgment upon President OF
the United states, is gross breach OF the privileges
of the senate, calculated to degrade the House OF
Representatives and TO oDstruct the course OF public
iustce: therefore, be IL
resolved, That select committee Of seven be ap-
pointed to inquire " tine above communication has
been received addressed by the members OF the
House to the Hon. John B. Henderson, and II It has
what Is the legal character OF the OFFENCE and what
penalty n any, the House ought, In vndcation OF III
own dignity n1ct, as well as to what provisions OF
law are necessary TO prevent a recurrence OF the
same wrongs, with power 10 send for persons and
papers, and to report by bill or otherwise.
Mr.. GARFIELD rep) Of ohio--I object to the recep.
ton of that paper.
The sPEAKER-The chair Is about to decide the
question as to whether the resolution Is or Is not
question Of privilege. In the opinion OF the chair
it is not question Of privilege. The wording Of the
resolution expressly shows that II Is not. The charge
is that the matter alleged Is infringement of the
privilege OF the senate IL has not yet occurred In
Inc recollection OF the chair hat the House OF Rep
resentaves has been recognized by the Senate as
having charge oI the protection OF its privileges If
the privilege Of the senate be assaed that bOiy is
competent to protect Its own privileges: nor would
the House consent that the senate OF tue United
states should assume TO protect tie privileges OF the
House. The Chair therefore, does not think that the
luton IN its language presents question OF priv
iege.
Mr. ELDRrDGE, tdem.) OF wis.-Is there not another
allegation IN the resolution whicl does present
question Of privilegeS
The sPEAKER--li the gentleman from wisconsin
appeals fl0m the decision OF the Chair the Chair will
put the question to the House.
Mr. ELDRIDGE-I do not appeal; but wish TO call
the attention or the Speaker 10 the fact that there Is
another clause In the resolution which does present
a question of privilege and that the resolution can
be modified by striking out that part OF II referring
TO the privileges OF the Senate.
The SPsAkER--The Chair rules that this Is not
question Of privilege.