The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-04-22
WASHINGTON CoKRnsroNDESoE.
WASHINGTON, April 10, 1870.
Enron USroy a JOuRNALi-

WASHINGTON, April lc, lo1U.
EDtroR UNroS 4 J0URSALi-
Tho investigation Of the charges preferred against
Gen. Howard Is slowly progressing. Hon. fcrnan-
do Wood and also Gen. Howard have secured tho
services OF able lawyers, IL would seem that tho
case l. 10 be no trivial one. suggested in my last
letter that automatically Gen. Boynton, son Of Row.
Dr. Boynton, iOrmer pastor OF the LIST Cong. church,
was tho prime instigator Of the movement, and
have heard statements 10 oOrrOboratc IL Nearly
ono year aso Mr.. BOynton went before q certain
mcmber OF Congress, AMI mado charges, but inc
member declined to Interfere In the matter, and az
ter yainly endoayorlns 10 forward tho movement,
no has SECURED tho services Of Hon. Fernando Wood
who undoubtedly takes some part In tho case, and
will to- tho utmost of his ability urge its prosecu-
ton. A short time since DR.. Bliss OF this city,
celebrated lawyer, was Summoned before eoniln'.
was supposed that money had been used ~ iniiu.
oncc public opinion favorable ~ the recognition oil
bclligvrent rights to Cuba, Of which Gen: Butler
give certain conversation that transpirCd between
HIMSELF aud tho late Secretary Of War Gen. Raw
llns Just previous to tho death OF tho latter. IL Is
TunOrcd that Dr. Hiss will 10 brought before the
llr of the House for contempt and further that MIR,
Hiss intends to assert his right. In the premises.
by precedent established tho House Furnishes con-
tempt by Imprisonment, and number Of cases
haVe occurred, claiming that II has tho right not
from q power delegated by tho people, bat frotn
the Parliament 81 England l suppose, where such
arbitrary powers aro exercised. Butler says ho
shall no broasht before tho bar Of the House for
contempt
The House has upon several occasions exercised.
think. an unwarIantcd power b. eonhno partie..
who have ,SS'Td T. an;sSr Questions TIL.
sumpaTy power of tho House Il, however, conceded
ut tho prvsent tmo by . great many, but whore
such au, hority Is derived cannot determine The
express words Of tho Constitution prccludes, II
seeIns TO me- any such assumed power, for u says,
"NOr shall any person 10 deprived 81 lue, liberty
or property, without duo prOcoSs of law and yet
tho House and tho Senate have exercised such ngh
powers, and imprisoned parties Cor contempt Upon
tho resolution reported by Mr Mason, Chairman Of
the llaTpeT's Ferry Investigating Counties, com.
hitting Thadeds Hyatt TO Jail Tor Contempt, W mol
answerin; the questions proposed by the commhtee.
senator sumner said There arc certain cases IN
which tho power ~ commit Is clear. lst, Tho trial
OF Imprisonment nj, In determining elections,
returns AMI qualifications or its members 3d, la
Furnishing. IT, members fDr disorlery behavior. De-
yOnd theSo three cases there two other cases,
guasi judicial in character, which not supported by
the Constitution, has grown cut vf noessity and
reason, amounting 10 n positive amendment OF the
Constellation and has boen sanctioned by prcoedents;
;t an inquiry into an ssSs s,C ~ t =,
was nirtyely obtained and published, and secondly
o. an inquiry Into the conduct OF servants ot the Scn
ate." If6en Butler assumes 10 carry out Former
PRACTICES On the case Of Dr BlSs II Il thought that
the subect will come bef0re the Supreme Court Tor
It, decision.
m i claimed by some that the House has the same
power the icuse OF Parliament but " should DC
Tcmcmbercd that We have n written constitution,
whilst Parliament Il without such an instrument.
At all events this question will probably be tested
very Son. fbr u l. stated upon good authority thai
Bills percmptotily refuses b. answer tho question,
AMI butler Il determined that no sha or suffer tho
CONSEQUENCES, therefore 10 ouly remains 10 be seen
what the consequences are.
The Georgia bill Is attracting q great deal or at
tontion, and the senate viii he In session this
evening for the purpose Of discussing the measure,
upon witch occasion Gen. Davis will occupy the
oor. Tho main point At issue seems 10 DO this the
legal men &c the State claim that the term OF the
state officers should date two years run the uae
when the Legislature was organized with the color
81 members ~ admitted This view Of the case Is
taken by senator Howe, Howard, Morton, Drake,
Steward, CamerVn. Upon tho other hand the bing.
ham amendment cOnstruos tho Constitution OF
Georga ~ thai the election VI state officers must be
held the coming GALL This Wow OF the question u
advocated by Trumbull, E.imonds, Carpenter,
Henry, and % course the whole Dcmocratic side OF
The chamber. An argument has been made that
tho vote shall be taken ate O'Clock tomorrow,
Craestayl hut II Garret Davis Il 10 SPEAK upon the
question u n rather doubtful whether the arrang~
mont can be carried cut Tho tariff bill proyr essss
very slowly and II "a very upccrain what the final
result will be except thai largo reduction will DO
made In taxation.
It \ exceedingly dacalt however ,o determine sp-
on what articles Especially rcstes home industry,
r.slactins sboud h. made, for Immediately upon the
announcement % intention 20 lower the duties
sleaiion q Interested partis- waits upon the CON-
miitee OF Ways and Meahs and sxrrcss their views.