The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-21
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 1875.

The Speaker presented letter from Richard B.
Irwin. the recusant witness In the Pacific Mail In
vestigatton, stating that the time having arrived
when he can, without breach Of confidence, an.
swer the questions which he had heretofore re.
fused to answer. he was now ready 10 do 20, and
to purge himself OF his alleged contempt; also
stating that he has been suffering from malsr1al
fever and that unless he s soon released his ties.
timony would be lost forever. The letter having
been read, q resolution was adopted, on motion
OF Mr.. DAWES, (rep) OF Mass. resembling 80 much
sereeant-at.Arms to keep Irwin in the District
jail.
NJ. COZ, ldem.l ofN: T., presented petition Of
ing against the INCREASE OF tax on low grades OF
wines to iorty cents per gallon as exorDitant and
wines and thereby lessening the revenue receipts
and working great injury to the large majority Of
The Following measures were passed.
An appropriation OF $4,000 Tor continuing the
Of the ST. Lou so PCS, once BUILDING
button or seeds to the occupants OF the grasshopper
regions IN the West.
Mr.. O'BRIEN. (dem) or Md, asked leave to o6er
resolution, calling on the President to state oy
OF Mississippi at vicksourg nave been interisIed
with by the military.
MI. LYNCH. rep.l Of MISS. objected to the res
Mr.. SHELDON, (rep.) Of La, presented the memo
rial OF the conservative members OF the Louisiana
Legislature relating to the difficulties concerning
the organization oil that Legislature.
Referred to the judiciary Committee.
THE INDIAN APPROPRIATIONS.
The House then went int0 Committee OF the
Whole on the Indian appropriation bill. Mr..
Poland; Of Vermont IN the cnai,:
was reported to the House.
The amendment to pay $2.9S1,2E to the Choc-
taw Nation tbeing the only important amenome Mt
to the bill, was further discussed In the House, and
was amended by reducing the amount to 100000,
IN accordance with the reports OF previous COM
mittees, and the Amendment, as thus amended,
was agreed to-Yeas 139, NAYS %.
TIE bill was then rejected Yeas ILL., nays 100.
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE.
The Speaker presented q message rom the
President calling special attention TO the absolute
necessity Of providing proper armament for the
sea coast defences. Referred to the Committee
on Military Affairs.
The recusant witness IN the Pacific Mall investi-
cation, Charles A. Wetmore, was again brought
before the House and asked by the Speaker
questions propounded to him. lie replied that lie
could not answer the question unless 1t was mod.
fed. and ne proceeded to read statement to
MIR. DAWES trep.) OF Mass, thought that the
statement last read by the witness was such an
arraianment OF ,ne committee that IT 10 proper
tor the House and not for the committee to take
notice OF 1t. He moved the ordinary resolution
that Charles A. wetmore he considered IN con-
tempt OF the House.
Mr.. HALE, (repJ or n. r, moved las o substitute
for Mr.. Dawes resolution) that Charles A. Wet:
more having, under the guise anu pretence OF
answering to charge OF contempt, been guilty OF
series OF gross and wanton insults to toe House,
IN the presence OF the House, be adjudged IN con.
tempt therefor and committed to the CUSTODY or
the Sergeant-at.Arms, to be detained In the com.
mon jail OF the District until the further order OF
Mr.. HaIo's substitute va. adopted. ana the VII:
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