New-York tribune., 1873-01-31
THE CREDIT MOBILIER.
AN AMUSING SCENE IN THE HOUSE.


A STUBBORN WITNESS FURNISHES BURLEsoUE
SPECTACLE OF INJURED vIRTUE-wHAr WILL
THEY DO WITH HIM IA MODEL LOBBYIST.
IBY TELEGRAPH To THB TRSUSE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.-The galleries of the
House were packed. to-day. with people curious TO
witness the proceedings In the OF the contumacous
witness Joseph b. Stewart who refused TO tell the
Wilson Committee what he did with quarter OF mil
lion Of dollars thereabou put in his hands by the
Union Pacific Railroad Directory in 1864, for some
mysterious purpose Nearly all the members were in
their seats and behind the semcirce OF desks stood
crowd Of spectators, who had been admitted TO the
privileges Of the floor. Among them were many
persons Of note, including ex-Gov. Seymour,
Augustus schell and Horace F. Clark of
New-York; Gen. Burnside, ex-GOv. WarmOth of
Louisiana President White Of Cornell University, secre
tary Robson, and number Of Senator's About 1880
sergeantat-Arms Ordway marching down the
center aisle Of the hall with his prisoner Ordway is
OF unusual hight but he appeared of only moderate
stature when standing beside the gigantic Stewart who
measures than 61 feet in hight page followed
upon Stewards heels, with armfu of law books
Two more for chairs, of which the books
deposited and a third brought glass of water.
Tue Speaker asked Stewart If he ready 10 answer
the questions that. had been put 10 him, 10
which Stewart replied in hours speech. For
nearly 20 minutes everybody listened TO his
talk about his honor, and his obligations
attorney to reveal the his clients and
At one time when in an excited manner he declared
that help him God, If he should be sent to prison the
confidence OF those who trusted him should rest in his
bosom, the galleries applauded, and looked upon him
for the moment, doubt. hero undergoing perse
cation He ought TO have stopped then but he kept on
and repeating himself and over again, and read
ing tedious extracts from his law books until most OF
members TO writing, reading, and talking, and
paid no more attention to him than # he had been
member himself. Twice attempts were made TO choke
him of by points Of order but the Speaker
ruled that he entitled TO his hour. He
took every minute Of it, and when he concluded it
with flight Of fustian oratOry about the guarantees
Constitution and the liberties OF the citizen about
90 be nfringed in his He made impression on
the House Every member knew that it had been
peatedly decided by legislative bodies in like that
attempting to corrupt the fountain Of law or sus
pected Of it shield himself from tesfying behind
the profession Of attorney II this could be DONE
corruponiss might ply their trade under the noses Of
Investigating committees, for when questioned about
their transactions they would only have TO plead that
they lawyers and that the persons with whom they
did business were their clients.
IL took an hour after the contumacous Stewart fin
ished his harangue to decide what should be done with
him. Mr.. Wilson offered resolution directing the
Speaker ask him IL he ready purge himself OF
his contempt and he refused to do then commit
him TO the custody OF the sergeantat-Arms until such
time as he should signify his readiness TO the
questions asked him. great deal of qubblng ensued
the phraseoOgy OF the resolution, and several
amendments and substitutes offered and voted on.
Mr. Sargent tried TO cut the snar into which the House
was getting by Offering resolution remandng the wit
ness 10 the County Jail to await the fur
ther order Of the House. This was rejected, and
the Mr. Wilson's resolution prevailed, and Stew
nrt after refusing TO answer was marched OFF by the
sergeantat-Arms with the small boy loaded with law
books following close after. Mr.. Sargent then again
offered resolution, modified form, directing the
sergeantaf-Arm commit the witness in his custody
10 the Jail whereat the Speaker fell into an i'll humor
and after much unnecessary pounding with his gave,
declared the proceedings in the completed and the
resolution out Of order Mr. Sargent insisted that was
entirely in order direct what should be done with the
witness after he had been taken into custody Speaker
Blaine insisted that 1t was not Mr.. Sargent appealed
from the ruling, and the Speaker was sustained by
large vote This ought to have ended the matter, but
Mr. Blaine unwsely administered caustie lecture TO
the House. saying that he regretted disposition on the
part of minority try override parliamentary rules
10 accomplish their purposes. Mr. Rtche, quiet
member from Maryland who seldom says anything, re-
marked that the Speaker had right TO crcise the
minority on their Mr.. Blaine replied that the
rules were for the benefit Of the minority Mr. Sargent
asked the Speaker meant say that he regretted that
he had appealed from his decision Very greatly, re-
piled Mr. Blaine. % don't regret ii at ALL" rctorted
Mr.. Sargent. Here the alteration ended Mr.. Banks
reported the bill 10 regulate the consular system
Without acting upon the House went into Committee
the Notifications appropriation b ana soon aI'er
adjourned.
Stewart will be confined in committee room in the
Capitol which Is being put IN order 20 receive him
This evening he seen at one OF the hotels The
House has 10 power hold him in custody after the Attn
of March will doubt stick it out until that time
His will then be made, for he will be advertised
the country through lobbyist who keeps his clients
secrets and will have his hands full OF profitable busi-
ness lobby member remarked this evening that he
hoped Stewart would stick He must keep stif back
bone he said for this thing goes on we shin't he
able 70 do any business here IN Washington