Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-01-31
HOUSE.

HOUSE.
On motion of Mr.. Slocum q resolution
was adopted asking information from the
Comptroller IF Currency regarding; depo-
sits in the Farmers and Merchats' National
Bank of Washington and the Ocean Ma
tional Bank of New York, of Pacific rail-
road bonds by Joseph B. Stewart.
Rebel Pensioners of ISI2.
MIR. Willard, from the Committee on In
valid Pensions, reported bill directing the
restoration to the pension rolls of the names
OF such pensioners of the war of 1872 as
Were struck from the rolls under the act OF
4th Of February, 1862, on account of haV-
ing aided or encouraged the, rebellion-the
pensions TO be paid from the passage of this
act; also emitting such person s to the bene-
hts of the act of the 18th of z ebruary, 1871,
granting pensions to the STU vivors OF the
war of 1872.
Mr.. Maynard moved to sme nd By pro-
vidlng for the payment of arrearage5 to
those Who furnished proof of their loyalty
during the REBELLION
Alter long discussion ne bill without
Maynard's amendment pas led.
The Conscientious, Lawyer.
At bal past one Joseph B. Stewart, the
testify before the Credit Mobilier Commit
tee, was presented at the bar of The House
by the Sergeant-at-Arms.
lnanswer to questi ,n by the Speaker
whether he was ready to answer all proper
inquiries of the comm ttee, Mr.. Stewart
spoke for an hour, ,denyi lg that heW in con-
tempt; that these matt ers were not hisoWn
but his clients, and that he was not advised
OF any law which confe rred even upon Con-
gress the right to ques ton him upon them.
Whatever the cOnsequ ences, the confidence
of those who had trus ted in him should rest
in his own bosom.
Mr.. Dawes moved the following resolu-
ton:
Resolved, That Joseph B. Stewart, hay
ing been heard By the House, pursuant to
the order heretofore made, requiring him to
show cause why he should not answer the
questions propounded to him by the COM
mites, has failed to show sufficient cause
why be should not ansWe the same, and
that the said Jos. B. Stew art be considered
in contempt of the Horls for failure to
make answer thereto.
The resolution was agreed to with but
one voice in the negative.
Mr.. wilson, Chairman of the Select
COMMITTEE, offered, in addition, resolu-
otNH RAOfANAhS All LIE fSL6utlOl OF
Stewart in custody Uni il he shall have ap-
peared before the comrnittee and answered.
ali proper questions. He moved the pre-
vious question.
Mr. Sargent desired to substitute reso.
luton ordering that Stewart be committed
to The jail of the District of Columbia and
| kept there till the close of this Congress un-
less sooner discharged By order of the
| House.
MIR. Wilson declined to allow the subSti-
| tute to be offered.
Mr. Hoar suggested substitute remand
ing Stewart to the custody of the Sergeant
at-AIms to abide the further order of the
House.
| 'Ihe previous question was then seconded.
| MIR. Hoar then offered his resolution re-
manding Stewart to the custody of the Ser
| geaDt-st-Arms to abide the further order of
the House, with permission to be taken be-
fore the committee TO testify it he desire to
DO so, and moved the previous questio
which the House refused to second.
Mr.. Sergeant then offered his substitute,
ordering Stewart to be committed to the
Jail OF the District of Colamb bia, and there
held IN close confinement until released by
further order Of the House, on his own ap-
! plication, and showing that he has purged
| himself of all contempt by answering truly
| all questions thas have be- ~ or may be pro-
pounded him by order oft he House through
| its committee.
Mr., Sarsent's substitute was rejected
ayes SO; nays 40.
MIR. Kerr desired to amend Mr.. Wilson's
resolution, by making it provide for keep
| ing Stewart in custody in jail.
Mr.. Maynard objected.
Mr. GoroaOt rnouo6 m lo-
resolution on the table, so that a new resolu-
ton might be offered. He had !no idea of
| having this man kept in custody at the Ar
lington House and having the House pay
| large hotel bills for him. The motion was |
rejected.
Mr.. Wilson's resolution was then adopt |
| ed, remandlng Stewart to the custody of |
the Sergeant-at-Arms, to be detained until |
further order of the House, unless he de-
ciared his willingness TO appear and answer
before the committee.
The Speaker addressing Stewart, asked |
him whether he was now willing to appear
before the committee and make answer to |
questions, for the refusal to answer which |
he had been ordered into custody.
Stewart replied that he declined disclos-
| ing anything confided to him as counsel.
Stewart was then removed from the hall |
in the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
| Sargent desired to offer as matter Cf |
privilege resolution on the same subject |
| but the Speaker ruled that as the matter |
had been disposed of and was 10 longer |
before the House the resolution was not |
| question Of privilege.
Mr.. Sargent appealed from the de- |
Cision of the chair, but the Speaker was
sustained 113 to "a.
The House then at O'Clock went into
committee of the whole, 'Eldridge in the
chair, on the fertilization bill. The bill ap-
propriates So, 100000. The committee rose,
the bill was passed and the House adjoun-
| ad