The Portland daily press., 1873-01-31
XLIId CONGRESS.


| WAsHINGTON Jan. 30.
| The Vice President appointed Mr.. West OF
La, to fill the place on the Committee on the
Lavees of the Mississippi River left vacant by
the withdrawal of Mr. Kellogg. ...
MI MT Cole from the Committee on Appropria-
| amendments
MI. blair called up the bill for the relief OF
persons 70 whom the Governors of the North
I;o, "nu dnuin territories confirmed lands
States. The bill was discusSaS ~ ."o
ted. anu re-coi'init'-
MI; Anthony introduced bill incor,o,at;no
the MISSISSIPPI and "a Ohio @ Tunnel and Tube Co.,
nels under the Mississippi and Ohio Ryers .uh ~
be used in connecting railways centerino No..
their junction. Among the incorp3rateoarsr ,eas
named are Thomas A Scott, and j. w. Nc,
Rosecrans and fl. G, Marquand of N. Y, A.
e. Burnside of r. l., n. r. Curtin and w. +.
Coolbridge of ILL.,. Ed. -sI--..r- 5s.-..
The bill exempting the mineral lands f
Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota from the
operation of the general act to promote the de.
velopment of the minerals of the q. S., was
passed.
At one o'clock the consideration of the legis-
lative appropriation bill was resumed
The pending question was on the motion of
Mr., Sprague to reconsider the vote by which
Mr.. MorrilPs of VT, amendment was adopted,
Of Congress, of awards made by the Court of
Claims, to claimants whose loyalty during the
rebellion had not been proved.
The motion to reconsider was agreed to-29
to 26.
Nh. Stevenson moved to table the amend
ment. Lost-28 to ST.
The Morrill, amendment UNCHANGED was
agreed to-25 to 49, f'1
The legislative appropriation bill was passed.
The Senate then adjourned.
.~ HOUSE
Mr. Slocum of New York offered a resolution
calling on the comptroller of currency for GER
tain information regarding deposits in the for
mer Merchants National Bank of Washington,
and in the Ocean National Bank of New York
OF the Pacific railroad bonds, by Joseph B.
Stewart. Adopted. 5il a'l -
A large number of pension bills were report
ed and passed. bataJ
Mr. Willard, of Vermont, from the Commit
tee on invalid Pensions, reported a bill direct
ing 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 Feb.
ruary, 1862, on account of having aided and en-
couraged the rebellion, the pensions to be paid
from the passage of this act; also emitting such
persons to the benefit of the act of the 18th of
February, 1871, granting pensions to all surviy-
ors OF the war of 1872. ~ b, ;n J edf f1Yt
Mr.. Maynard. OF Tennessee, moved to amend
by providing for payment of arrears to those
who furnished proofs of their loyalty during the
rebellion. After an hours discussion the BILL
without Mr.. Maynard amendment passed
AT half-past one, j. b. Steward, the recusant
witness who has been ordered under arrest for
refusing to answer questions before the select
committee on the Union Pacific Railroad and
Credit Mobilier, was presented at the bar of the
House by the sergeant alarms.
The speaker addressing him, asked whether
he was ready to answer all proper questions of
the committee.
Mr.. Stewart said that with all respect as a
dutiful citizen he denied that he was in con-
tempt, or, that he had committed any act of
contempt. All the matters about which he had
refused to testify had their origin solely and ex-
clusively in relation of counsel and clients
These matters Were not his own but those Of
his clients and he was advised of no law or all-
thority that could confer on any tribunal in this
country, even on Congress, the right to question
him upon them. He denied that the extracts
from his testimony presented yesterday by the
select committee represented fully and clearly
the position which he had taken
Mr.. Stewart continued to speak at length in
support of his position.
After he concluded Mr.. Dawes offered % re-
solution that it Stewart failed to answer the
questions of the committee, that lie be consid-
cred in contempt of the House. The resolu-
ton passed with one vote against.
Mr.. Wilson of Indiana, offered an additional
resolution remanding Stewart to the custody of
the Sergeant-at-arms, to be detained until furth-
er orders of the House unless he declared his
Willingness to appear and answer before the
committee.
Mr.. Sargent of California, offered a substi-
tute for the confinement of Stewart in the Jail
of the District of Columbia during the session
OF Consress unless sooner discharged. Reject
ed 4..... -.. -.,-
Mr.. Hoar of Massachusetts,, offered a resolu-
tion that Stewart be committed to the custody
OF the sergeaLt-at-arms to abide the further Or
der Of the House. and moved the previous ques-
ton, which the House refused to second.
Mr.. Wilson's resolution was then adopted.
The Speaker then asked him if he was now
willing to appear and answer before the COM
mittee.
Stewart declined and was then removed in
custody of the sergeant-at-arms from the hall.
Mr.. Sargent of California, then desired to
offer, as a matter of privilege, resolution on
the same subject.
The Speaker refused to receive the resolution
and or appeal his decision was sustained by the