Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-01-21

quires the Sergeant-at-Arms to keep Irwin
in the District Jail.
Mr.. Cox presented a petition from i'm
pOTtefs and dealers in foreign wines, pro
| testing against an increase Of the tax on
low grades Of wines to 40 cents per gallon
as exOrbitant and unjust, and as restricting
| the importation ofthese wines, and thereby
lessening the revenue receipts, and working
a great injury to large majority Of the
trade.
Mr.. Garfield, from the Committee On
Appropriations, reported a bill apprOpria-
ting Sl50,OOO for continuing the cOnsTuc-
tiOn Of the St. Louis Post Office building,
the amount to be available in May.
Passed,
Mr.. 6ronnse introduced a bill appro-
priating $4,000 for the special distribution
Of seeds to those portions Of the country
that have suffered from the graSshOppers'
ravages. Passed.
Mr.. O'Brien asked to offer a resolution
calling on the President to state by what
authority the officers Of Mississippi, at
Vicksburg, have been inrerfered with by
the military.
Nj. Lynch objected to the resolution in
that shape.
Mr.. Sheldon presented a memorial of the
Conservative members Of the Louisiana
Legislature, relating to the difficulties con-
cerning the organization Of the Legislature.
Referred.
The House then went into Committee of
the Whole on the Indian appropriation bill,
AIr. Poland in the chair.
The proposition to pay the ChOctaws
nearly $3,00O,000, under the treaty of
June, %, 1855, was agreed to. The bill
was subsequently, reported to the House,
when the amendment was reduced 70 5000,
600, and the bill was then rejected-ayes
Ill, noes 12O.
Mr.. Loughridge, who has charge Of the
bill, moved to reconsider the vote rejecting
it.
The. Speaker presented a message from
the President, calling special attention to
the absolute necessity Of providing proper
armament for the sea coast defenses. Re
ferred to the Committee on Military and
Naval affairs.
THE recusant witness in the Pacific Nail
investigation, Charles A. WetmOre, was
again brought before the House and asked
by the Speaker whether be was now pre-
pared to answer the questions propounded.
He replied that he could not answer the
question unless il was modified, and he
proceeded to read a statement to show why
he could not answer il. This was q long,
rumbling affair, in which he expressed a
doubt as to the correctness Of the TumOr re-
ferred to in his dispatch. He then INDUCED
in some rather disrespectful thrusts at the
members Of the House as well as those OF
the Committee.
Mr.. Dawes thought the statement read
by the witness was such an arraignment Of
the committee that it is proper for the
House, and not for the committee, 10 take
notice Of it. He moved the ordinary reso-
luton, that Chas. A. Wetmore be consid-
cred in contempt of the House.
Mr.. Hale, of New York, moved as a sub
stitute for Mr.. Dawes resolution, that G.
A. WetmOre, having under the guise ard
pretense Of answering to the charge Of con-
tempt, been guilty Of a serious, gross and
wantOn insult to the House, in the presence
cf the House, be adjudged in contempt
thereof, and committed to the custody Of
the Sergeant-at-arms,t to be detained in the
Jail of the District until further
orders of the house.
Mr.. Garfield intimated that the witness
answer in the presence of the House, had
raised in his mind the question whether he
WAS of sane mind. [Laughter.l If the
House thought he was, the resolution ought
to pass, but otherwise a milder form of
punishment ought to be adopted.
{ Mr.. Hale's substitute was adopted, and
witness remanded by the Sergeant-at-arms,
and subsequently conducted to Jail.
The House then adjourned.