The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-12-21
HOUSE.

The Speaker stated that he had infor'
nation that there was gentleman In
the city who was the bearer TO the people
of this country OF communication from
the Irish nation, congratulsting the
American people upon this their Cen
tenisl year.
Mr.. Holman thereupop asked unsni-
nous consent to offer resolution re-
citing that Mr.. j. UConnOr Power
NJ. P, had been deputized to present to
the people of the United States the Csc
gratulstions of the Irish nation on the
Centenary OF American independence,
and referring the subject of his mis-
sion to the Committee on Foreign At
fairs, with instructions to report what
action should be taken in the premises.
After short discussion the resolution
was adopted.
The report of the Judiciary Committee
on the question of the power of the COM
mittee to compel the production of tele-
grams was made. The report asserts the
right, and resolution offered by MIR.
Howe from the minority OF the committee
makes the same assertion, but requires =
description OF the kilograms TO be given.
A substitute tor both was offered by
Mr.. Knott, Chairman Of the Judiciary
Committee, declaring that telegrsphic
communications have no more privileges
than oral or other communications, and
must be produced when called for.
A long discussion ensued. Among the
notable speeches made was one by Mr..
Garfield, protesting that the telegraph
should be as sacred rs the postoftice; and
one by Mr.. Hewitt declaring that the
sanctitv of the postoffice WAS more
imaginary than real, rs his Hewltt's
letters had been constantly opened in the
New York postoffice. Mr.. Wood, of
New York, favored the report of the
committee and opposed Mr.. Hurd's
amendment as being tantsmount to \
defeat of the Louisiana investigation.
Finally Mr.. Hurd's resolution requiring
the subpoena TO describe the specific
telegrsms TO be produced was defeated,
yeas 94, nays 1872, and Mr.. Knots sub
stitute WAS adopted without division.
Mr.. Hewitt went on To say that while
he subscribed tn the doctrine that private
of individuals should be
protected, be wished to say that on this
occasion there was no purpose on the
Democratic side TO prevent the
telegraph dispatches being opened freely
on both sides, and he thanked Heaven
there was no communication bearing his
name ne was not willing and would
not be glad to have published, and he
had already authorized the president of
the Western Union Telegraph Company
to produce every telegram bearing his
signature. Democratic applause
Mr.. Garfield suggested that 1t was the
duty of the gentleman Mr.. Hewitt to
ask for an inquiry, and he Garfield
would assist him in It.
Mr.. Platte then asked unanimous con-
sent to offer resolution OF inquiry into
the charge made by Mr.. Hewitt against
the New York Postotiice, but objection
WAS made by Mr.. Luttrel.
On motion t. MIR Phillips the Senate
amendment of the House bill for the sale
of certain lands in Kansas, WAS nom
coucurrcd in.
Mr.. Chittenden asked leave to intro
duce and have referred TO the Banking
Committee the.bll for funding legal ten
der notes. Objection was made by Mr..
Holman.
The bill PROVIDE
|. That the Secretary be and is hereby
authorized to withdraw, ss soon Ms the
necessary preparations can be made, the
legal tender notes OF the United States
whenever presented by holders thereof,
and issue therefore, dollar for dollar face
value), coupon or registered bonds OF the
United States in the spirit OF the original
legal tender act; provided, that the bonds
authorized by this act shall be payable IN
gold at the expiration Of forty years from
the lst of January, 1871 and bear IN
terest at the rate OF 4 per cent. per
annum, payable quarterly 10 gold.
2. That the bonds authorized by this
ac. shall be available TOR deposit in the
treasury OF the United States for bank
ing purposes, under the provisions OF the
various laws relating 10 National banks.
3 That legal tender notes received IN
exchange Tor bonds under this act shall
be DESTROYED under such regulations ss
the Secretary Of the Treasury may pre-
scribe.
A conference report on the bill TO pro-
vide for the expenses OF the investigating
committee was made by Mr.. Holman,
discussed and agreed to.