Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1876-03-11

4 II
SEES who testify before Congress or
before committees of either House
of Congress. A number OF bills
relating to the District of Column
bia were presented. A resolution
was adopted instructing the judi
ciary committee to inquire wheth-
er any employee of the govern
ment or other person had attempt
ed to use any illegal or corrupt
means to defeat the administration
of the law in any of the courts of
the District of Columbia, especial
~ ia the recent trial of proceed
ings in the so-called safe burglary
conspiracy. A resolution was also
adopted for the appointment of a
select committee to inquire wheth-
er any officer or employee of the
government has in any way COM
municated TO any of the defendants
In the recent whisky conspiracy
trials in st Louis any evidence on
which the government relied, and
whether any attempt was made
by any officer Of the government
| (other than the district attorney
and his assistants) to control the
conduct OF said prosecutions.
MARCH Tn the United States
Senate Mr.. Gordon, of Georgia, of
fered a resolution instructing the
Committee on Finance to ascertain
what amendments to our revenue
laws are necessary to secure economy
and certainty in the collection of in
ternal revenue and prevent official
frauds. He gave notice that he would
call it up on Tuesday. The bill for
the protection of agriculture against
injurious insects was debated at
much length, and after being amend
ed providing for the investigation
being made by the Commissioner of
Agriculture, was passed.
In the House a bill was passed de-
claring all lands granted to railroad
companies subject to State taxation.
Mr.. Clymer spoke to question of
privilege, and stated that he had been
subppnaed, with two of his colleagues
to appear before the Grand Jury Of
the Supreme Court of the District
and bring with them all the papers
relating to the charges pending in
that court. He (Mr. Clymerl had
appeared before the court and stated
that as a member Of committee of
the House he felt it would be preju-
dicial to the highest interests Of the
country to be compelled to state what
had transpired in the committee
room, and while not claiming these
privileges as member of the House,
they must protest, and would only
consent after an order being made
| by the court. Mr.. Robbins, another
member of the committee who had
also been SubpGnaed, declared the
effect, if not the design, was to in
timidate witnesses and throttle in
vestigation. A debate ensued. Mr..
Lamar, of Mississippi, said the sum-
| mons was an outrage on the members
of the committee and their privileges
as members of the House. Mr.. Blaine
commended that the members of the
committee, having possession of all
can be found, by pleading this. privi-
lege put a bar to the indictment of
Belknap. The House could refuse
the evidence or send it, and he dared
that side of the House to refuse it,
Mr.. Kasson, of Iowa, said the House
and the committee had no right to
embarrass the Grand Jury in the ex-
ecution of the laws Of the land. The
debate was very exciting, and con-
tinued for four hours. Finally re-
solution offered by Mr.. Lamar was
adopted declaring that the summons
was a breach of privilege, and direct
ing members to- disregard it. A res
olution was adopted ordering the ar
rest of Elahias r. Wolff for contempt
of the House in refusing to answer
questions put to him by the Commit
tee on Naval Affairs in the investi-
cation of matters relating to the Ma
val School. Adjourned.
MARCH SIN the Senate the
case of P. b. s. Pinchback, claim
ing a seat as Senator from Louisi-
ana, was taken up, and after long
debate, the amendment offered by
Mr.. Edmunds, that Pinchback ssbe
not admitted as Senator from
louisiana" was adopted by a vote
of 80 yeas to 20 nays, five republic
can Senator's Messrs. Christiancy.
of Michigan, Edmunds of Yer
mont, Morrill, of Maine, Morrill, Of
Vermont, and Paddock of Nebras-
voting with the democrats in
the Affirmative. Theresolution, AS
amended, was then adopted by a
similar vote, SO the Senate settled
Pinchback's case by refusing to
seat him.
In the House, Mr.. Randall, from
the committee on appropriations,
reported the legislative, executive
and judicial appropriation bill,
amounting to ST., 1877 1888, a reduc-
ton of over $6,000,O00 from last
years appropriation. Mr.. Knott.