The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-05-05
WASUlN GTON LETTER.

lyHSU Week HltIhtu oNNNi'
events. Of these the most important in my
view was the decision of Judge Cartier in
the Kilbourn case | have already explain
ed fully the cau,e Of KilbOurn's imprson-
ment and the manner of his being taken
from the custody of the House of Represen-
tatives by writ of Hdbeds C6rp" and car
ried before Jude Cartier 1t was generally
snpposed that when the case was tried, the
Judge would have enough regard tor the law
to examine only into the validity of the or
der under which ki(bourn was held, and not
to question the ri hit Of the House to hold
him for contempt. 1t has been preroga-
tive of courts from time immemorial to pro-
tect themselves by publishing those who re-
fused to obey their mandates, and other
courts were not permitted to interfere with
this right, even by the writ of Habeas Cor
pus: all the other decisions having been that
where the prisoner was held for contempt
upon n legal order the court alone which is
sued that order could revoke it. A commit
tee of Congress- sitting rs court of inqui-
ry, asked question which Kilbourn refused
To answer, and for that refusal was sent to
iail by the House, and now Judge Cartier
has released him. This decision, it the
House submits to it, deprives the House of
all power to conduct an investigation, and
that is the reason ii ,cas made. The Admin
istration has adopted another measure to
cripple the investigations. The heads of the
departments refuse to furnish the original
papers asked for in any case. They say
they are made cu.todians of these papers
and they will not trust them in the hands of
committees but will furnish copies. This
will cause delays, as the papers called for in
some cases are voluminous, requiring long
time to prepare copies, and will entirely de-
feat the object of the investigation in others
as the inquiry and examination of the origi-
nails might, and in some instances it is known
would, reveal that signatures had been iorg-
ed. But the investigations must be stopped
is the order, if there is any possible way of
doing so, and hence the decision of Judge
Cartier and the order to deliver no papers.
Secretary Bristow has been investigated
and che is on a high horse" as the western
men say. lie proposes to dictate to the
committee what it shall do, and to investigate
it, and talks of redress outside of the room
when he cannot have his way in it. | do
not believe there is anything in the charge,
but Secretary Bristows manner of defending
himself does not add to his reputation.
Charges are made that Senator Morton was
guilty of misappropriating money while
Governor of Indiana, and you are already
familiar with the charge against Blaine in
regard to the railroad bonds. As Conkling
is the recognized candidate of the Admins
tion, and Blaine, Brlstow and Morton are
his principal competitors, it does look a lit
tie as if Conklings friends were trying to
kill off his opponents, and whispers are
made that these efforts come from his friends
The legislative judicial and executive bill
passed the House on Friday substantially as
the committee reported it, and if adopted by
the Senate makes saving of six millions
of dollars from the expenditures for the fs-
cal year ending the first day OF next July.
But it is well understood that the Senate
have with the other appropriation bills, and
the prospects are that on the first OF July
there will be no money in the Treasury APP
propriated to any purpose but pensions. As
the Secretary cannot pay out dollar until
Congress makes an appropriation the result
will be that all the departments must stop
work. The courts will be closed, and all the
employees OF the government Will be dis
charged, and all because Republican Sena-
tors are determined to usurp power conferred
by the Constitution on the House of Repre-
sentatives. 1t is rumored at this writing
that the committee has summoned kilbourn
before it and will ask him the same ques-
tions he formerly refused to answer, proceed
ing against him again for contempt If he re-
fuses to answer. | doubt this, for the action
of the court was referred to the judiciary
Committee, with directions to report on
Tuesday. A new bill proposing to lend the
Texas d Pacific road $4,000 per mile in
greenbacks instead of guaranteeing the in
terest on its bonds will be introduced Soon
This bill ought to satisfy all who are in IA
vor of imitation. | have not seen the bill
L. Il