The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-22

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The House refused to second the previ
ous question by vote OF "A to 81, and
the resolution went over.
Mr.. Randall gave notice that the same
resolution would be offered next Mon
day.
Troops i'm Alabama.
Mr.. HAYES offered resolution for Il
select committee to inquire into the poIIt-
ical affairs of Alabama, and as to the use
of Federal soldiers there, and the intimi-
datiOn of voters &c.
Mr. Randall suggested that the COM
mittee should also inquire as to the dis
tribution of rationS in Alabama, ~ rated
by Congress.
Mr.. HAYES said he had no objection,
but inquiry had already been provided
for, in resolution passed last Monday.
Mr., Hayes resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Sloss, at the request of Mr.. Young
offered resolution calling on the ScCre-
tary of War for information as to wheth-
er any army officer in the South, has
received or attempted to obtain from the
legislature of any State, compensation for
| his services or has, while on duty Ms such
officer. been admitted TO the bar and
practiced for his personal cmolumcnt.
Mr.. Kasson asked Mr.. Young to name
! the officer, alluded to.
Mr.. Young mentioned Major Merrill,
stationed in South Carolina.
The House refused the second previous
question G6 to l05, and the resolution went
! over.
Temperance Petitions 10 Congress.
Numerous petitions were presented
from temperance organizations, minis
tiers and Others, in Pennsylvania and
other States, asking Congress to prohibit
! the manufacture Of all alcoholic liquors
! in the District of Columbia and the
Territories. Referred.
The Chair laid before the House n
resolution of the Arkansas Legislature
! for Il repeal of the tax on leaf tobacco.
| Referred.
The House Committee on Elections to-
day decided to report resolution de-
claring that Snyder, the sitting Rcpub-
| lican member from the Second Arkansas
district. is entitled to his seat, and dis
missing the contest.
Mr.. Porter, the candidate against
Representative Stowcll, for Congress, and
who made the charge that Mr.. Stowcll
had sold cadctship, in speech some
DAYS before the election, stated to the
Investigating Committee to-day that all
he knew of the matter was what Ora
ham. who received 81 100 had told h IN.
Mr.. Dawes, chairman of the Committee
on Wavs aud Means, made a report Of
the refusal Of Richard b. Irwin to answer
certain questions put him respecting the
distribution by him of the $4,000 re-
crived from the Pacific Mail Steamship
Company to aid in the procuring Of ad-
ditiunal subsidy for the China mail
service The stenOgraphlc report of
Irwin's examination having been r'nd,
Mr. Dawes moved the adoption of sn
order that the Speaker issue hi, warrant
to the Sergcant-atarms commanding him
to take into custody Richard b. Irwin
and bring him to the bar Of the House to
show cause why he should not be punish
oil for contempt.
Mr.. Dawes went on to say: This wit
ness readily and almost Chcerfully states
10 the committee and country, that for
the purpose Of procuring privat" lcgis-
latlon bv Congress. he has taken $4,000
and brought it TO the very doors Of Con-
gres,. and then because he did not enter
these halls with his money bags in biz
hand and walk up and down thss" aisles
distributing il. but put tn" remainder of
his work in the hands Of third partIes
he fancies that he can pat Il stop 10 this
investigation, and the question for this
House 10 determine, is whether having
had rolled on its shoulders an inference
which il is impossible otherwise to rcpel,
the House shall let that infere nee remain
that that subsidy was procured by the
expenditure of this sum Of money. There
j. no member whose name stands record
ed for that measure, or who omitted 10
vote against it, who has not this
charge laid at his door, and all such
mrubers call on this House 10 repcl that
inference which this witness seems VOL
UNFAIRLY and with great alacrity n desire
to lay down upon them, but If it touched
the character Of no member Of the
House. it touches the methods Of legis-
. IallDU dbA litahs VI p'NSN''AS IS S'S'o
/ tion at the hands Of Congress, and Con-
I cre,s can not omit 10 investigate il
/ 70 the bottom, and TO understand
( its length and breadth. II this
money reached cOrruptly no
/ member Of the House, il was, how
ever. expended 70 procure the passage Of
the bill and whether it was by private
/ entertainments or by. any other process
whatever. then Congress must know IN
what manner legislation is procured here
or Congress must cease 10 have regard
not oniy - the personal character Of its
( members. but TO the respect Of the Peo-
ple for what ia done in Congress.
There il no aspect in which this wit
/ Dess presents that Congress can retreat
from. am, myself, very well convinced
Of the motive which has brought him
. from Europe, 70 temp; the Committee on
WAYS and Means TO tring him here and
to draw Out Of MIN Just what has been
, drawn out Of him; tut l am filed with
smazemen; that any sane man could for
CDe moment suppose that be could testify
thus much and no more.
A long and somewhat technical discus
sion ensued A. 10 the power Of the House
tn punish for contempt. Mr.. Stevens
and General Butler argued that As
the law provides for the punishment Of
= reeusant witness by sending him Tor
/ trial before a court and jury Of the Dis