The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-19
An Editor Arrested While Under Summons
Of the House as q Witness
ANOTHER FINANCIAL MESSAGE
Dark Deliberations OF the Repub-
lican Caucus.
Provincial Government Of the
South Foreshadowed.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

wHTEIAw REID ARRESTED FOE LIBEL WHILE
UNDER CONGRESSIONAL SUMMONS AS A WIT
AEss-BREAcH OF PARLIAMENTARY PRIV
LEaEs.
Mr.. Waitelaw Reid, who was summoned here by
the Committee Of WAYS and Means TO testify In the
Pacific Mail Investigation, was during the alter
noon served with q summons OF arrest at
the instance OF Alexander Il. Sheppard
for libel The complaint recites num-
Der OF counts, with damages laid at 100000
IN each. Mr.. Corcoran, the banker, ana MI.
kaufman, one OF the propre tors OF the Evening
Star-the one democrat, the other republican,
Immediately offered themselves as securities on
bis bail bond, MIR. Corcoran saying he would go his
pail Tor $4,000 or SSoo,o0 Bail was onered TO
District Attorney Harrington, who however, de-
clined to receive 1t until tomorrow, leaving Mr..
Reid unmolested for the night Meanwhile there
Is q probability that when the House meets to-
morrow at noon the Will De brought to ITS at
renrton by some members OF the Ways and
Means Committee as involving or attempting O
breach OF the privileges OF the House. The point Is
that q summons by the House to attend
and give evidence, being summary IN Its nature
and power and unavoidable by o citizen, secures
him safety from arrest while obeytng 1t, and gives
blm sale conduct Tor his return home, and that to
attempt to arrest such q witness while on his way
to or from the House, which in this case Is u
court Is q breach OF the privileges OF the House.
rne matter has excited good ceal or interest
here. and 1t Is believed that the House will Insist
upon its right and that the order Of arrest Will
be vacated. Mr.. Reid himself does not propose to
move In the matter otherwise than to offer bail In
Sbs morning.
The case OF Michael Hayes o witness for the
prosecution the safe burglary case, is anaog
to this. He was, while witness before the Court.
charged with perjury and arrested on that cnarge
The Court held that he must be summary dts
charged, on the ground that an arrest OF witness
W bile IN the custody OF the Court was an outrage
upon justice.
At later hour, while Mr.. Reid was dining with
Speaker Blaine, he was called to the door, when
process was served upon him by an otncer oil the
court a civil libel, also at the instance
OF Ex-Governor Shepherd, laying the damages at
100000. Mr.. Reid acknowledged the service OF
the writ and was not further molested.
ATTEMPTS TO CAUSE EXCITEMENT ABOUT CUBA-
OUR RELATIONS WITH sPAIN-A wAR NOT IN
AuNENT.
An attempt Ia making here to create an excite
meut about cuba, but without much warrant.
There Is no doubt that this government will lose
no time or opportunity 10 present its claims to
rne ne government IN Spain, and TO urge them.
formal recognition before bringing injuries 10
the notice OF the Spanish Ministry. 1t Is prooa-
Die. also, that he has instructions to act in firm
manner and TO require q speedy and definite an
swer : but there Is no present danger OF hasty
action either On our part or thar OF Spain. The
poutcal Importance OF the Cuban agitation lies IN
the belief that the President regards the Spanish
question as one OF the trump cards In his
hand. which ne Will play whenever he
may De hard pressed. This the cuban bond
holders and adventurers generally understand.
and they are naturally anxious Tor war with
spain, but the Secretary Of the Treasury ana the
committee or WAYS and Means would have some.
thing TO say on ths matter. There Is no doubt IN
Ehe minds OF navy officers here that We could
capture Cuba In three or four weeks, aud this, oil
course, would be the nrst result OF o war with
spain; but the annexation OF tee island would
deprive US OF about $780, oo0, 900 Of gold revenue,
which loss the Treasury could hardly bear at
present.