The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-12
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES.

WASHINGTON, April II, 1874
THE PROTECTION OF wIrSEssEs-ADvERsE RE-
PORT ON THE HOUSE BILL By THE SENATE
VIEWS or THE MINORITY.
The adverse report OF the Senate Judiciary Com.
mittee upon the House bill TO protect witnesses who
shall be required testify before either house Con-
gross or any committee Is signed by Senators Ed.
munds conklng, Frelinghuysen, Wright and Howe
They say this bill Is open many fatal objections
based both upon constitutional considerations and
expectancy and present argument OF nearly ninety
pages in support OF this view.
Senators Thurman and Stevenson briefly submit
their views as n minority or the Judiciary Committee
They say that they fear that The bill as II passed the
House Is broader In its scope than public policy and
the ends Of justice required and that II might In
tcc be liable to great abuses; but they do not agree
with the other members of the committee that the bill
should be nde1niiely postpon edn On the contrary,
they believe that should be amended and passed. and
they propose amendment in the nature Of substi
tute 10 limit IL to that need such Law.
Tho minority maintain that would DO
beneficial and would practically be Liable abuse.
They proceed to argue in contravenon the position
taken by the majority that the pardoning power Is
vested exclusively In the President They show that
his power docs not extend TO impeachment cases. and
therefore clam that such objection be sustained
against this part Of the bill which relates to proceed
ngs in the House before committees with view
to prefer articles OF impeachment Thcy argue further.
that Congress has power pass amnesty bills
and statutes OF limitation affecting all criminal
without infringing on tho present power. IL cannot be
justly held that this bill in any Of its provisions is OBJ
noMous to any such charge.
A SENSATIONAL STORY REGARDING MR.. BLAINE
AND The oUIETUs THEREON.
The story accredited TO the Indianapolis Sentinel Of
yesterday has been in circulation for time past In
private political circles. Mr. Blaine was made
acquainted with II and promptly denied it, stating that
it is entirely sensational and unfounded Tho story
reported in Washington circles, was that draft
paid for Mr. Blaines benefit by Messrs. Morton Bliss
Il Co., Of New York. and aerward takeu up
by f. II. Rollins Treasurer Of the Union Pacific Rail-
road Company In taking recently TO correct
It, Mr. Blaine received tho following ctters:-
NEW York, April Q. 1876.
Hon. J. G, BLAINE, Washington, ID. C. -
DEAR sIR--In answer to your inquiry we beg to say
that draft, note check other evidence Ut value
has passed through our books IN which you were
'''e'' '''''''N " 'e'PMt oRToN, BLISS CO.
Also the following
OFFICE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY,
BosroS, Mass, March 81, 1915
Hon. J. G. BLAINE, Washington, d. q. -
DEAR SIR-In response to your Inquiry beg leave
to state that been Treasurer OF the unlon Pacific
Railroad Company since April 3 1871. and have
sar.ly known OF all disbursements made that date
During that entire period up 10 the present
time am that money has been paid in any
way or 10 any person by the company In which you
were Interested In any manner whateve- msEc this
statement IN justice 10 tho company to you aud TO
myself Very respectfully, +. H. ROLLINS.
THE MORRISON TARIFF BILL.
The Committee OF Ways and Means completed the
Morrison Tariff bill to-day, aud ordered Il be
ported iavoraby TO the House The motion made
by Mr. Morrison in committee, 10 reduce tho proposed
duty coffee TO two cents and to cents,
but this disagreed TO by vote OF yeas 10 o
nays The tea and coffee clause then struck from
the bill by vote or yeas to nays Mr.. Morrison
notice Of his intention offer in the House, pend.
ing the consideration OF the BILL amendment taxing
tea and coffee. Tho bill has been materially altered
since its introduction It ordered 10 be reported
iavorably to the House by the following vote -
YEAs-Messrs. Morrison. Wood, Thomas, Ill., Chaplin
and Tucker. taIl denucratsI--G.
NAys-Messrs Blaine, Kelley, Garfield, Burchard Of
Illinois (repuDlicansI and Hancock (democratl-5.
II the committee had retained tho duty on tea and
coffee Mr.. Wood would have voted against reporting
the bill to the House.