The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-04-05
From Washington sunday Herald.
LYON VS.. THE EMMA MINE.
Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness"

Barry Cornwall had James f. Lyon, the
famous, or perhaps we had better say the
Infamous, Emma Mine witness in prophetic
eye, when he wrote:
"1he waves are white and red the morn,
In the noisy hour when I was born,
The whale 1t whisiled, the porpoise rolled,
And the dolph barred his back of gold.
And never was heard such an OutcIy wild,
AS welcomed TO earth the ocean child"
From the evidence which has accumu-
lated from all sources, irrespective of pol
tiles or party, the man seems TO be a
Stormy Petrol, and scars highest in a
storm. To assail rich silver mines in the
auriferous districts by impugning the legal
iiy of The title Or aspersing ia bearish
way the value Of the ore has long been a
diereputable, but acknowledged industry
among the shifty, INSCRIPTIONS classes who
flock around new mining country az pick
pockets hover for plumber around burn
ing block of buildings. James Z. Lyon,
who has been imposed upon the committee
on iOieign affairs as reputable witness of
veraciiy and clean character, is proving to
be, by rapid and recent revelations, royal
arch liar, twenty-five carats fine. But by
artfully representing himself as eX-Goy-
ernor Lyon, who was once Governor of
Colorado and has been dead several years,
the now notorious James Il. Lyon has
''smuggled' himself in on even such dis
tinguished and clear headed statesmen as
Hon. Mr.. Springer of Illinois, Hewitt of
New York. Hamilton of Indiana, Banks Of
Massachusetts, Faulkner of West Vr-
gnia, and Parker of Pennsylvania. No
dexterity of smuggling, however, will sur
prise those who know that Lyon was the
confederate of "Lharley" Lawrence, the re-
publican custom house silk smuggler, who
is now in jail.
A stranger from (say China who shall
now visit this city may witness the follow
ing Illustrations of our peculiar institutions
by visiting the room of the house commit
tee on foreign affairs:
He will find committee investigating.
An utter vagabond, whose neighbors will
not believe him upon oath, has come before
the committee. His story, printed before
hand, during two entire days, has assailcd
the character of a foreign minister of the
United States, whose politics we deplore,
but whom men respect; of four or five
senators and eX-senators, several members
of the British parliament, an attorney gen.
eral of Great Britain, an American scientist
of good repute, and any number of Ameri-
can citizens of respectable character. The
committee is investigating this wretch's
story. He has with him an unknown man
who calls himself lawyer. He, too, has
read his printed story, wholly made up of
hearsay and other statements to which no
court of justice would listen. These men
have inspired q lawsuit against some OF the
men they assail. In that suit the reputa-
ton and fortunes of American citizens are
involved. One of these citizens is placed
upon the stand as a witness. He is cooily
asked to snake any statement he DESIRES"
L. H., e
mlttee "merely aoishes 10 ask one question:"
then another. then another, and no witness
can give an intelligent statement with eight
mences statement he is asked to shorten
it. Cant you leave that out and say it to
the printers ?" When the wretch was read
ing his printed defamation he was told by
the chairman go on tell all you know
about this transaction. You are aRder no
restrictions" Meanwhile the wretch sat by
one member of the committee, his opal" by
the sid of another, whispering questions
and suggestions. The witness is allowed
no counsel; he controls, whispers, sug-
gess to no member of the committee. If
some friend of bis, FESTIVE under the out
rageous character of what Is going on.
ventures suggestion, he is rebuked and
told plainly that he has no business There.
If the witness offers deposition material
to a most important point he is asked by
the chairman "Was that taken upon due
notice to Mr.. Lyon AS if Mr.. Lyon
owned the committee and 1t was engaged in
protecting him. The door opens member
of the committee introduces the agent of a
Scotch stock jobber-Mr. McDougsl-pro-
vides him with chair and accommoda-
lions. This person is the agent OF the
plaintiffs in the suit which the wretch and
his pal" have got up, and for which evil
dence is to be furnished by the investiga-
ton. This scene may be witnessed any
day in the house. And this is American
liberty and American Justice In the year of
grace 1876, in committee room OF the
house of representatives of the congress of
the United States. "How long q Lord,
how long," Latitude of expression to such
evil detamers Of character as James Il,
Lyon, and the district Jail to respectable
private citizens like Hallett Kilbourn.
That is neither good politics, good sense,
nor justice. He properly refusesto exhibit
his private books and papers to the public
gaze, as Father Boyle would refuse to be-
tray the secrets of the confessional, and
DR.. Bliss would decline to make public the
prescriptions he has given in his long prac-
tice to his many patients. The committee
owe duty to the public, as the guardian
OF their liberties, greater even than to lay
bare the sickening cOrruptions of the cab
met and ministerial poker playing scandals
Men of Lyons stamp breathe with delight
the fetid atmosphere OF to-day, and circle
about the murky air like buzzards over a