The New York herald., 1875-03-11
haa to say 60 the charges. ana introduced his

come mere 8uu ueuleu Inc charges mace. nc
moved that the House proceed to judgment
Messrs. Kenna day. Davis, Lincoln and Prince
thought such proceeding would be outrageous.
The gentleman should have the right to make his
defence here before judgment is mad.
Mr. PRINCE said the House had permitted the
gentleman 10 appear here with counsel tnis morn
ing, when Ill itself implied that ne was 10 be ac-
corded hearing IN his defence
Mr.. I. &. CAMPBELL thought the house could not
go back ON the report OF the committee. TDey
had reported the facts in the case, whicn IN them
selves embraced the charge.
Mr.. ALvoRD insisted that The gentleman had no
right TO appear here. either by himself counsel or
witnesses, To defend himself All the right'he had
here was to come and give an excuse Tor his con-
duct, pal!lating II or otherwise. lie IS here 10
pulge himself oil the contempt he has just put
himself IN Ine committee mad placed before the
House the facts the for the House TO Judge
OF. and the House had declared him III contempt.
Mr.. Hustled said as ne understood this case u.
THIS House, and that being tue case he has the
right TO be heard why he should be purged Of MS
Mr. ALvoRp-Does the gentleman claim that Mr..
stevens has right to come here and deny the
charger
Mr. HusTED-Not at all, sir. The gentleman will
recollect the case OF Judge Pla,t Potter, who was
brought here aud given the opportunity to snow
why he snould be purged or his contempt.
Alter further discussion Mr. T. Z. CAMPBELL
moved that Mr.. stevens be heard through counsel
in eXtenuatlon OF the charge against him.
Mr.. WAEHNER moved as an amendment that Mr.
Stevens be heard through counsel why he should
be purged of contempt. He objected to the words
.ln exIenuarion OF the charge against him" in Mr..
Campbell's resolution.
Mr. CAMPBKLL accepted this amendment, and IL
was adopted
Andrew j. CALVIN then, as counsel for Mr.. Ste
he could show that this committee, as 1t Is con-
stItuted, had no right 10 demand the production
charge OF contempt lalls, and he SAID he would
undertake TO show from parliamentary history
taat tnlS comnttes was utterly Whom power WEI IN Ia
gapization Of the Bridge Company.
A POINT OF ORDER
jected to the counsel going over the entire his
tory but SUI uld come down 10 the case before the
House He Thought the time OF the House should
MIR. LINCOLN moved that the counsel be allowed
TO proceed IN his OWE way. Carried by a vote OF
COUNSEL REsuMEs.
Mr. Calvin proceeded aud said that two mem
bers Of the Committee, after their election to the
House, had made aiiidavits in support OF an appli-
cation lor an injunction against tue Bridge Com
pany proceeding wltG It's Work. This, he claimed.
disqualified them from acting on sucn a commit
tee Of investigation. He then read the resolution
creating tue committee, SHOWING tnat II was nos
authorized TO call Tor the production OF the books
and papers OF the company. lie read the pream-
bic OF the resolution constituting the committee.
stating Lnat no action had been taken 70 locate
The bridge and asked where there was any evi.
dence showing that representation TO be true
There vas no sucn evidence; there could be none.
the company had not only taken action. but
mad actually located the bridge az the South Jerry.
The city OF Albany. through It's Common Council.
wanted IL there and the company had localed 1t
there lie tben read the statutes and rules o the
House to show that no committee could send for
persons and papers without instructions from tue
House. II they had THESE powers without tGis
special authority granted why they could involve
the State In an eXpensesto any amount they saw
1T and there would be no business In the state
when would not be at helr mercy. They could
lay every business ubder tribute TO them. II they
nave tins power, he submitted, then this House
had a despotlsm which was greater than that eX-
istlnG IN any part oil the world.
A great many points OF order, questions OF privi-
lege were raised and decided, In tie course or
which the counsel aeciarsa nis inaDiiity 10 pro
dered nj. stevens 10 De brought before the BAR OF
the House.
Counsel-will the Chair allow me to say that
Mr.. stevens apo.oglzed TO the committee ior his
Tue CHAIR am surprised that counsel Will not
understand the decision OF tue Char. 1t was that
counsel could state anything OF that character.
Counsel then stated tnaG Mr.. Stevens mad been
grossly Insuted py the counsel on the other side
and 1t was TO counsel the harsa language was
used. Counsel further stated that apology was
made Lot. Dy Mr.. stevens and bv his counsel.
The Sergeant-at-ArIns brought Mr.. stevens to
the bar or the House.
further TO say than has been SAID by counsel?
Mr.. STEVENS would like 10 say simply tnat the
was 10 euded mostly Tor the counse VINO mad been
engaged Ia an effort 10 steal The books VI the com.
e Srns n s on ss
committee OF the books. never intended 10 IN.
suit toe comnlttse. ! hao no such inssnt,on.
apology before left.
the CHAIR read the stenogrs pner's report and
attributed 70 nirn. 20 wnic1She responded Ia me
affirmative with explanations.
The Sergeantat-Arms was tnen directed 70 con.
duct Mr. Stevens into the library room.
Mr. ALvORDs RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. ALvoRD offered the following resolutions:-
on commsrce AID Navigation Of the Standing com.
s Isas a S ths has asSs ss
guilty Of hgh breach Of the priyege OF ne House in
s d sn 5S
psny uat were under his eentr9 ana hat he has also
duct before such committee while in session and that
ADAMS Stevens or on his Behalf or his coHaast and
e ~ me s m before ans
in thai behalf. therefore
meanor and contempt OF the House.
Resolved That the sergeanl-at-Arms take MIN from
the Common Jail of Albany county and that G. Adams
the aoss os eS that the issue ha I %
commitment accordingly.
The sergeantat-Arms then appeared and pre-.
sented {. Adams stevens TO tine bar OF the House.
wnen the Speaker proceeded to reprimand him as
1olowS:-
THE REPRIMAND.
Mr.. &. Adams Stevens:-You have been ad Judged
guilty Of high breach OF the privileges Of the
Assembly OF the State or New YORK, and declared
In contempt OF this House for disre -pectlul, onen
slve and turbulent conduct before the Committee
on Commerce and Navigation OF the House wnile
IN session.
me resolution just read clearly indicates the
opinion oftne House OF your conduct ia the prem
ises.
The offence committed py you Is one OF no ordi-
nary character, for which the statute imposes the
heaviest penalties.
In view oil your disclaimer OF anv intention to
insult the committee or abuse the PRIVILEGES OF
the House. the mlldness OF the decision which 1t IL
now my duty to pronounce Is TO be IN a great de-
gree attributed. In obedience TO the order OF the
House do therefore reprjmand you loi your con.
duct, ana trust that this pubic admonifion Will
prove a salutary admontton TO you and others
The Sergeant.at-Alm ms was then directed TO re-
lease the prisoner from custody, and the House
adjourned.
REDUCTION OF CANAL TOLLS.