Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-13
FORTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
SATURDAY, May Is.

dietary, TO which had been referred certain
memorials of Albert Grant in relation to
THE OFFICIAL CONDUCT OF ANDREW
one Of the justices of the Supreme Court Of
the District OF Columbia, submitted a report.
The committee say they have given the me-
morialist patient hearing, and II appears
from bis statement that an investigation of
the subject matter Of the memorials will re-
qufre an examination of several quite COM
plicated que stions In equity and the exam;-
nation OF a large number OF witnesses. The
committee have formed no opinion of the
truth or falsity of the charges, but the COM
m1ttee are satisfied that they cannot make
the examination and do justice to other
questions submitted 10 their considerati an
by the House. They therefore ask TO be dis
charged from the further consideration OF
the memorials, and that they be referred 10
Especial committee. The Recommendation
OF the committee was agreed TO.
Personal EXPLANATION.
plaDaiiop, and had read so much of a letter
written by q. T. Welsh and pu olished Ia the
Louisville Courier journal Of May 5th as re-
Iated 10 his (DuTham's) knowledge of perjury
and other crimes on the part of l.. III. FitZ-
hugh, doorkeeper OF the House OF Represen-
Mr.. Durham then said that he was ac.
quainted with the circumstances only so far
as that when FitZhugh was indicted for
three offences, OF which he was'tried aud &C.
quilted, he (Mr. Durham,) was one of his
counsel. Afterwards a negro, named Tom
Scott, sued In the federal courts for dam.
ages, the suit being against some very re-
spectacle citizens of Kentucky, who were
charged with conspiracy, in that they had
accused said Scott of crime. At that trial
Mr.. FitZhugh was summoned and sworn as
witness. he (Durham) was also summon
ed and sworn and examined. At the trial he
(Dnrham) recollected ali the circumstances
distinctly, and Mr.. FitZhugh made state
mems nnnatso Maien Were contradictory and IRE
as he (Durham) remembered them. Owing
TO sickness In his family, Mr.. Durham did
not reach Washington In December until the
Monday OF the organization of the House
The caucus TO select officers was held on the
preceding Saturday, and he was not aware
that Colonel Fitzbugh was candidate. Had
he been here on the Saturday of the caucus
be would have stated the facts as he under
stood them, and let the members of the eau
Gus Judge II FitZhugh was proper person
10 be elected an officer OF the House. He had
no acquaintance with Fitzhugh before he
became his counsel, and he (F.) was at that
time popular man In the county. He made
this statement merely TO show how far he
was connected with the matter, and not for
the benefit OF those who were familiar with
FIIzBUGH's CAREER IN TEXAS.
Mr.. White (Ky.) also rose to a question OF
privilege. and sent to the clerks desk TO
have read an article from the National Re
hugh with having been guilty of crimes
while in Texas.
Messrs. Randall and Holman made the
point that this was not a question OF privi-
The Speaker ruled that it was question
Of privilege as 1t affected an officer OF the
House.
The article was then read at length.
MOVE TO INVESTIGATES FITZHUGH.
Mr.. White also had read at length the
letter TO the CoaTierJot1nol, and the letter
written by FitZhugh 10 a friend in Texas, ia
which be detailed the influence he had as
DoOrkeeper, and which has been published
far and wide. After the papers had been
read, Mr.. White offered resolution, direct
ing the Committee on Rules 10 inquire into
the conduct OF l.. II. Fltzhugh, and report
by resolution or otherwise, If there IS any
thing In the conduct of said FitZhugl 20
make him unworthy of holding an ofice in
this House.
Mr. White said it was duty to investigate
the matter, and If FiiZhugh is guilty he
should be dismissed. He hoped the House
wodld adopt his resolution, aud that the
committee wonld not let 1t sleep.
Mr.. Reagan (Texes) said, as he had urged
Mr.. Fitzhugh's election, 1t was due 10 HIM
self that be should say a word. III a resolu-
ton had been offered some days ago to dis
miss Fitzhugh on account of the foolish let
ter he wrote, he would have thought il the
shortest way TO get rid OF him, but serious
charges have now been spread upon the rec.
ord While the Doorkeeper could have re.
signed on account Of the foolish letter, he
cannot resign while these charges are hanging
over him. The charges are very serious, and
be should have hearing, although IL was
also stated that he had been acquitted o. the
charges. He wanted also TO say that he never
heard of these charges until two weeks ago;
and If the Texas delegation had been aware
that these charges were against him they
never would have urged his election, al
though they might have been convinced OF
the falsity OF the charges. He (ReagaD) had
letter, but he would not do it now with these
charges over him.
Mr.. Glover MOI offered as a substitute for
Mr.. Whites proposition declaring IL to be
the sense of the house that l.. II. Fitznugh
is not a proper person to hold the honorable
and responsible position OF Doorkeeper of
II<..n n<~TU xsr4s a Al
dismissed forthwith from that office.
Mr.. Reagan hoped that that there would be
no such summary proceedings in view or the
Mr.. Singleton Miss said charge of seri-
Gus crime had been made in the face of the
whole country, and which would stand on
this resolution would be TO brand him with
crime. This summary process should not bS
adopted without allowing an opportunity
for explanation.
Mr.. Harrison (Ill.) doubted whether the
House should go iut this Investigation. If
the House would investigate all charges
made by malevolentp persons, Congress would
be investigating all the year round. de
doubted the propriety OF dismissing the OH
Ger, but would suggest an amendment that
he be requested to resign.
Mr.. Hoar Mass ssid he trusted the House
would take no action in haste. which would
stamp this man with crime. II was admit
ted that he wrote the foolish letter which
had been read, and IT showed that he was
not competent 10 hold an office here. He,
therefore, suggested that the resolution be SO
modified as TO declare that his dismissal was
on account OF that letter.
Mr.. Glover accepted the modification, and
Mr.. White accepted Mr.. Glover's resolution
rs modified.
Mr.. Glover thought now the resolution
should be adopted, for this man had imposed
upon the House by hiding his anteceients
from his friends.
Mr.. Conger (Mich.) commended that IL wouid
not be just to summarily dismiss Ftizhugh
while these charges were hanging over him
and without an Investigation. The Ameri-
can people desire fair play, and IL would not
an Investigation. He would demand this
for his political friends, and would also de-
maDd II for his political foes.
After further discussion the whole subject
was referred to the Committee on Rules.
THE circumstance OF the late repair OF the
"a 1c fl,aTo lof "A olx