Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-12-22

sIHci The administration Of justice i
: the District Of Columbia, particular,
relative 10 the so-called alleged safe bur
giary conspiracy. The house refused t
second the previous question by vot'
"a e 81, and the resolution went over.
Mr. Randall gave notice that th'
Same resolution would be offered mex
Monday, and offered resolution for Z
select committee to inquire into the po'
liticAl affairs OF Alabama, and as to the
use OF Federal soldiers there, and the
intimidation Of voters.
Mr.. CraDdall suggested that the COM
mittee should also inquire as to the distTi'
! button Of ratiops voted by congress in
| Alabama.
Mr.. Sloss, at the request Of Mr.. Young,
offered q resolution calling on the seere-
taTy Of war for information as to wheth-
er any army officer in the south has re-
| eeived. or attem oted to obtain from any
State, Compensation for his services, or
I has, While on duty as such offiser, been
admitted to the bar, OF practiced for bis
! personal emOlument.
Mr.. KassOn asked Mr. Young to name
the officer alluded to.
Mr.. Young mentioned Major Merrill,
stationed in South Carolina.
The house refused to second the preyi-
Gus question by sixty-fve TO one hum
dTed aud five, AID the resolution went
over.
The house then proceeded to vote On
suspending the rules and adnptiog the
resolution offered last M0ncay by Mr.
H0lmsn, as follOws:
Resolved, That in the present condi-
ton Of tue financial affairs Of the gov
eminent no subsidies in money, bonds,
public lands, or by pledge of the public
credit, should be granted by congress 10
any association or corporation engaged,
or preparing to engage, in public or pri
vRte enterprises, aud that all appropIia-
tons from the public treasury ought at
this time to be limited to such amounts
only as are imperatiyely required by the
public.
The house refused TO suspend the rnles
aud adopt the resOlutiOns-yeas l49, nays
75-nOt tWo-tbirds in the affirmative.
Bills introduced: BY afr. Woodwork
10 prevent the removal of causes from
State TO United States courts after the
appearance Of the parties in the State
courts, except in certain cases.
BY Mr.. Wells-For the improvement
of the Mississippi river between the
mouths Of the Missouri and Ohio rivers.
Mr.. Dawes, chairman OF the commit
tee on WAYS and means, reported the lie.
fusal of Richard B. Irwin to answer
certain questions put 10 him respecting
the distribution by him of the seven
hundred and fifty thousand dollars re-
ceiyed from The Pacific mail steamship
to aid in procuring additional |
subsidy for the China mail service. The |
report of Mr.. Irwin's examination hsv- |
ing been read,
Mr.. Dawes moved that the speaker |
command the sel'gesut-st-arms to take |
Irwin into custody, and buBg him TO the !
bar of the house, aud show cause, etc. |
Mr.. Davis addressed the house at length /
in support Of his motion, in which he |
argued that by Mr.. Irwin's action, the |
charge OF corruption was laid at the |
door OF every member of the house who |
OF failed to support the bill |
granting that subsidy. And if it touched |
the character Of no member of the house, |
ii touches the methods OF legislation and /
means OF procuring legislation at the |
hands of congress, and congress cannot /
omit to investigate il to the bottom. He /
thai there was no aspect in
which the witness presents the case
that congress can retreat from. He was
amazed that what bad already been
1rawn from the witness should be all
hat is known by him and no more.
A long and somewhat technical dis
5ussion ensued as to the power Of the
house TO punish for contempt, partici-
lsted in by Messrs. Stephens, Dawes,
Assson, Beck, Lawrence, and Butler,
turing which the last named character
zsd congTes sional investigations ss
mere mud machines" that the house
night Just s. well condemn q re-
.usAnt witness to the torture Of the
hunt screw as to assume the power to
,unish him by committing him to jail.
S had been urged. The discussion
inaIly ended, resulting in the passing Of
dr. DRwes's motion.
A resolution to adjourn from Wednes-
Isy next to Tuesday, January 5,h, car
led, and
The house adjourned.