New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-05-23
NETWORK, TUESDAY, MAY %, 1871.


telegraph four or five columns Of THE TRIBUNE, how
many wires he had to USE and many other details apou.
the business, all Of which he cheerfuly aDswereu pu'
when ar Carpenter led from these to more pertinent
inquiries, Mr.. Tinker held hs tongue Mr. TINKER was
ordered to produce the copy but this plainly
do. Mr.. Carpenter upon this became violently exced o
read the law of 1857 for the punishment OF recacant
witnesses, and he warned Mr. Tinker that he was re-
solved at all hazards Support the Dignity OF the
Senate. Mr.. Tinker then asked whether ne reiuseu
she copy under instructions from the President OF inc
Company he replied that he did refuse In accordance
with his standing instructions, and by order OF Inc
Committee, he obtained copy Of the instructions from
his Office returned to the Capitol Only three OF the
Committee-Messrs. Conkng, Carpenter, and DAVIS
were present The printed regulations OF the Telegraph
Company relative to secrecy, &C., were submitted 20
these gentlemen. Mr.. Davis after reading them, III
CURED OF Mr.. Tinker:
"Arc you a particular friend Of Messrs. White and
Ramsdell I"
"Not particular friend" he replied, "though my re
lations with them have always been cordial"
"wel, Sir would you like to share the bastile with
themp
Mr., Tinker displayed great alacrty to accept TINS
invitation but declared that he should adhere to his III
structons He asked II he intended to persevere IN
his refusal when he brought to the bar OF the Sen
ate. THAT gentlemen" said he will depend upon
my instructions from the President Of the Company.
You see what they are now but they may be changed
by Mr.. Orton, and shall follow them whatever they
may be-"
"Then you mean to say" added one OF the Committee
that you will not obey the order of the Senate unless
1t is indorsed by Mr. OrtOni"
at comes TO pretty nearly that" was Mr. Tnkers
answer, "but the words are yours, not mine"
"Then" exclaimed the irate Carpenter, we VIII nave
orion here tomorrow"
Besides making this audacous attempt to invade the
privacy of the telegraph Office the Committee examined
seven other witnesses Dr. Taft testified to destroying
Senator Mortons copy of the Treaty in the manner al
ready described. His evidence was unmportant' MT
Tisdae that he knew nothing whatever abont The
| publication OF the Treaty. except that he helped
Mr.. White to copy IL, rs an act OF per
sonal friendship. Another witness, correspondent
OF New-York morning paper was put through severe
course of examination touching the persons who visited
Newspaperrow on day the Treaty was obtained lie
was asked whether carriage drove up to THE TRIBUNE
Office on that evening, and who was seen in company
With Mr. White OF Mr. Ramsdcll. 1t became apparent
that spy had been employed to work up all the oatng
gossip Of the newspaper offices, but nothing Oh conse
auence was Developed. The same witness was also
questioned abovt person who was reported TO nave
offered to procure for him copy Of the Treaty but ne
refused to give any information this subject and Is
consequently another candidate for the bastle Thus
| the excitement promises to be renewed
I'D TO the present time public sentiment has been d
vided between amusement at the ridiculous dilemma
into which few r1sh or NlndctlNe leSIsIttOTs
drawn the whole Senate and Indignation at their waste
o. time in wrangng newspaper secrets while one
Of the most important treaties have ever negotiated
awaits their action The ablest members OF the Senate
satisfied that the imprisonment was az unjust ana
illegal Of authority, and majority would gladly
reverse their action if they could do with any pre-
| tense OF Dignity" The voice Of the people has
been heard from the most distant States and 1t
makes many honorable gentlemen feel uncomfortable.
The Republican OF this city contained strong editorial
this morning against the action OF the Senate and as the
paper Is looked strict Administration organ
Messrs Conkling and Carpenter are unhappy The end
OF the session close at hand tho recsant Journalists
are certain not to YIELD and the thoughtful of their
Jailers" uneasy at the prospect To keep then
locked up Curing tire measure for which they
| hesitate to take the responsibility.
Mr. Summers resolution this morning EXPIRE ssed the
real feengof a majority Of The Senate and Mr.. VII
sons oers convenient oophoe OF escape for those who
have moral courage to retreat openly from thei
false position Near while the prisoners fare smptu0us
y, and almost roll IN the lap of luxury The apart
cnents of the Pacific Railroad Committee in which they
are quartered give them large bedroom and beauti
full paror overlooking the Public Gardens and The Poto
| mac; fresh freezes are felt there all day long;
friends load their tables with books and flowers
| their wives with them from morning
TIL evening; visitors pass i'll and out at all hours; and
Senators and journalists meet there for conversation
messenger sometimes sits outside the entrance bur there
is No guard and door is locked except when
the prisoners go dinner They the key them
selves The Senate restaurant supplies them with ex
| cellert meals, and the ScrgeantatArms shows them
every possible kindness. Really it very comfortable
sort of punishment for overworked Journalists and it
| will do them good both in health and spirits
| The q" Common Jaiers" however, want to change All
this and are urging the punishment of the corrs
spopdents under the OF 1851 That act passed la
consequence OF the famous smonton case. makes re-
cusant witness liable TO indictment for misdemeanor
and instrets the DistrctAtorney, on ccrtfcaton Of
the facts from the VicePresden u lay the matter be-
fore the Grand Jury. The punishment, on conviction is
Imprisonment tho Common Jail for not less than
month nor more than - months with fine Of not less
than 500 nor more than g. OCO. II Grand Jury could
he induced 10 indic and Court TO convict Mr. Conk
ng,woud be relieved of his difficulty and the Senate
| could syash its hands Of the very dirty job.
Itwas said in your Washington dispatches> the other
dav that Mr Conkling insgated the whole movement,
with the insane hope OF duplicating Mr. Fenon in the
disclosure Senatorial secrets That the exact patent
truth and todaYs proceedings confirm it,
Mr. ConkinR frat tried TO prove that Mr. Fenton hn-
self had given out IL Treaty, put was shown that Mr.
Fenton did not have copy at the time The TRIBUNE
rot IT, An attack uponSiov Morton was repealed with
eoua ease Then Mr. COnkng took into bis head that
Gov Morton had lent his copy to MI Fenton anu MI
Fenton had lent to Mr. White, and so on Tonight ne
has been pursuing such foolish theory as this
Probably he does expect 10 prove anything but be
coud bring out some suspicious circumstances he would
close the investigation, and call the suspicion proof
What pity facts are such "stubborn things The
longer the inquiry lasts, the more complete is Mr. Conk
lngs failure at least 80 far II s an attack upon Sem
aiOr Fenton
REGULAR REPORT OF SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
SENATE WASHINGTON, May %, ISL
Mr.. SUMNER Rep., Mass.), rising to per-
sona exclamation called attention to what purporfed