The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1876-03-08
eIegraph
ASSOCIATED PRESS REPORT
TO THE DAILY LNTELLIGENCER
CONG R E S S.
HOUSE.

to provide tOr the purchase Ol material
and ior the continuance OF the work on
the Custom House building at st. Louis
were c0ncurred in. One OF them limits
the contracts therein authorized to be
made at $4,000.
MILITARY TRADING POSTS.
Mr.. Lawrence introduced bill TO pre-
vent the monopoly and exhorbltant
charges in the trading Embellishments at
the military posts, and to secure good
order at the same. Also bill TO pro-
tect witnesses in the trial Of impeach-
ment cases. Referred.
Mr.. Cason loi Indiana) introduced q
bill TO repeal so much OF the resumption
bill MS provides for the redemption Oi
legal lender notes Referred.
DRAwIRrDGEs.
Mr.. Banning presented resolution oi
the Cincinnati Chamber OF Commerce
adverse 10 any law requiring draw to
be provided in every bridge hereafter TO
he built across the Ohio river. Referred.
Mr.. Crounsc, from the Committee on
Public Lands, reported u bill to conform
certain school indemnity selections OF
public lands in Nebraska, and explained
the object OF the bill. After short dis
cussion the bill was passed.
HOMESTEAD LAW.
Mr.. Walling, from the same Commit
tee. reported bill to amend the Home
stead Act by authorizing proof oi the
residence, occupation, cultivation, &c., 10
he made before the Judge OF any Court OF
Record in the county and State in which
the lands are situated Alter discus
sion the bill was passed.
LAND TAXATION.
Mr.. Crounse. from the same Committee,
reported bill declaring subject to State
taxation the land heretofore granted To
the Pacific Railroad Company. Alter 4
debate the bill was amended 20 as to
make it apply to allland granted to the
company, and was passed.
CLYMER's ANSWER TO THE COUNT,
Mr.. Clymer, rising to question OF
privilege, stated that II subpoena had been
served on him last evening, issued by the
Supreme Court of the District ot Colum-
bia sitting as u criminal court, TO appear
before that court and bring with him all
papers. checks, documents, &c, and to
testify in regard to the charges pending
! in that court against the late Secretary OF
War. Two OF his colleague, Messrs.
| Robbins and Blackburn, had been slmi-
larlv subpGnaed. He (Clymerj had
appeared before that court, and had
stated that in obedience TO the law he
appeared at its bar to obey its order, but
that as a member Of the committee OF the
House he ielt it would be prejudicial TO
the highest interest OF the country that
| his colleagues and himself should be
compelled to state what atailRd-transpIred
/ in their committee room. lie believed
that such course would no; only close
the mouths OF all the witnesses in the
case, but that in many instances II
would drive them IRON the land He had
said furthermore that while not pleading
| their privilege rs members OF the House,
they must nevertheless protest against
being examined, and would only consent
10 be examined alter al order being
made especially to that end by the court.
The court had taken time lor dellber-
alton and had determined ii it needed
their attendance hereafter To send for
them. He had felt it his duty to bring
the matter before the House in order
that the House might take such action in
the matter as might be right, just and
necessary.
Mr.. Blaine asked Clymer ii the court
had asked or desired TO ask ior any in.
formation that was not contained in the
published report and was not matter
OF record and OF general nOtoriety. lie
could never well conceive that the gem
tlcman from Pennsylvania might not
wish to he called on i'll that court TO tes-
fly OF what was still committees se.
cret; but what point Of delicaCy could
arise as to these matters which were as
common a. history could make them, he
cOuldnot see.
Mr.. Clymer replied that the court had
not proposed to ask them any questions at
all. They were to beexamined before the
grand Jury. Ii the questions were to have
been asked by the court in the presence OF
the public, he might not have rs great an
objection. but he and his colleagues had
felt that II they were to go before n grand
Jury whose proceedings were necessarily
secret. that TACT would strike terror every
where throughout the land, and would
close all the avenues OF testimony 10 the
House and its committees.
Mr.. Blaine reminded Mr.. Glymer that
his own privilege rs member protected
him, and there was no power 10 compel
him to testify.
Mr.. Clymer replied that he had stated
to the court that he d7t-HUr intend to
plead i privilege, 20 that it might not be
said thai he intended to exclude anything
which should he rightiully known to the
public.
Mr.. Robbins. another member Of the
committee, made like statement in rel
erence to his being subpGnaed, &c, and
declared it as his belief that the effect il
not the design was to intimIdatc tho wit
nesses and throttle the investigation.
Mr.. Daniord, another member OF the
committee, said he had no subpDna 10 60
before the court but he would like to
know from the chairman il any addition.
al testimony had been taken before the
committee?
Mr.. Lamar objected to that question.
Mr.. Blaine-The objection must come
from n more inconccivable motive
Mr.. Lamar-It may be 4 motive that
vou misconceive but nevertheless it is 2
motive which ! have and that is the pre-.
servation OF parliamentary order.
maintain that no member has right tc
reveal the secrets OF the committee room
Mr.. Clymer said that there had been nc
additional testimony taken before the
committee, but he repeated that the at
tempt to drag forth what occurred in the
committee room could result in nothing
else but dctriment to the public veal.
Mr.. Blaine-There should be no diver
sion or seeming diversion between the two
sides OF the House in regard TO the vigor'
ous prosecution Of public criminals
| What was the object OF the investigation
except TO bring offenders to criminal
Justice. The commissioners could moi
punish anybody. Everybody knew thai
this was brIItIfm fulHlsa.
Mr.. Clymer-I have stated the iacts o
the case to the House and il necessary
imputation arises that some one in this
district wishes to close the avenues o.
evidence all over the country, it is not