The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-11
PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATURE.
Senate.

HARRISBURG March 11.-Mr. Mumma Rep)
moved the reconsideration of the resolution
reported by the Finance Committee yesterday
and passed by the Senate, requiring General
Irwin to appear before the bar of the Senate.
Mr.. Mumma explained that, after due conside-
ration, he had come to the conclusion that the
Senate had no right to arrest Mr.. Irwin. The
Speaker had already issued his warrant to the
Sergeant Arms commanding his appearance
before the bar of the Senate.
Mr.. Brooke, member of the Finance Com
mittee, was perfectly willing to hear the legal
mind Of the Senate and be governed by the law.
Mr.. Buckalew took the position that, when
General Irwin appeared to answer to the pro-
cess, it would be ample time for the Senate and
his counsel to determine the jurisdiction.
Mr.. Purman believed that this action of the
committee was unjustly inquisitorial. He In
tended to offer at the proper time O resolution
prefaced by conditions that the Senate had now
under consideration the Treasury bill, and that
the Senate only desired to know the best method
of managing the finances of the State, as well
as to how the moneys had been kept to enable
them to make proper euactments therefor.
ResoLced, That the Finance Committee be in-
structed to inquire into the aforesaid matters,
and send for persons and papers, and place
the said persons under oath. BE believed the
process against General Irwin was mere child 8
play, of which the Senate should not be guilty.
Mr.. Wallace argues that the Senate had the
right to command the appearance Of an officer,
ex-officer, or any individual az witness, quot
believed General Irwin must anewer here, before
the bar of the people, for his misdeeds as well
as the practices of the Treasury.
MIR. White as member OF the committee,
acting In a judicial capacity, voted Tor the re-
port of General Irwin's refusal to the Senate,
with resolution compelling his attendance,
and If the Legislature had not the power TO
command the presence of General irwin they
had no right to pass statute for the govern
ment of the people. The witness who refused
to be sworn was in contempt, but there was q
question whether a witness could be compelled
to make such answer as he deemed convicting
himself before the tribunal
Mr.. Purman said that any judge In the Com
monwealth before whom General Irwin might
go with the warrant of the Speaker, would de-
eide that the Senate had no power under the
circumstances.
Yeas-Messrs. Beck, Brooke, Connell, Duncan,
Findlay, Hensgey, Kerr, Miller, Mumma, Magic
Osterhout, Purman Randall, Robinson, stin-
son, and Watt-16.
lew, Davis, Howard, Mcintyre, Turner, Wallace
Warfel, and WHITFIELD.
Mr.. Brooke moved that the consideration OF
the resolution be now postponed for the present
Agreed to.
The following bills were reported from COM
mitteee, as committed lf
The Senate bill petitioning the creation ol
corporations with amendments.
The Senate bill relating to pawnbrokers' a.
committed. 49, .l.-t r.-r r
The House bill against the desecration o.
Independence Square. sIl4
House.
Among the bills favorably reported were the
| followingi- .r. ...... -. r. - e.5t
| House bill repeating SO much of existing laws
as appropriates the State receipts from taverhs
eating houses, restaurants, distilleries, brewer
les, retailers, peddlers, bakers, theatres cir
cuses, billiard and bowling saloons, ten-plr
alleys, patent medicine, and foreign insurance
| tossinking fund. g4h
Senate bill exempting the bequest OF Johr
| Grigg from taxation. atr,s eagl
| House bill appropriating @5000 TO the Easter
experimental Farm of Chester county. =.
/ Mr.. Albright introduced a resolution recalling
the Diamond street dedication bill from th'
Governor. Laid over
man Society, t@