Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-08
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
WEDNESDAY. MARCH 8. 1875.
Yesterday In the House.

members of the committees of investigation to
disregard the summons Of the District Courts
to testify against witnesses who appear to give
evidence against government officials before
said committees, was decidedly the most exclt'
ing and interesting that has occurred this ses-
sion. 1t was principally participated in by
Messrs boar, Kasson and Blaine on the Radl-
cal side, and by Messrs Clymer, Blackburn,
Cox, Robbins, Lamar and Beebe on the Demo,
cratic side. The passages between Messrs
Blaine and Clymer were at times decidedly &C.
rimonious. Messrs. Kasson and Blackburn were
tart 10 their remarks and somewhat per-
sonal, but the climax was reached when Messrs.
Lamar and Blaine ''locked horns" MIR.
Blaine had, as is his custom, been raging and
ranting, daring and threatening, and setting
I'D his opinion against everybody, when Mr.
Lamar took him sin hand," and so complete
ly squelched the ex speaker that pauslug IN
his argument, 10 which he had shown the ut:
ter fallacy Of Mr.. Blaiue's position, Mr. Lamar
appealed to the House to know if be should
further punish his adversary, and was greeted
with cries Of don't spare him. and shouts OF
applause.
Mr. Clymer stated that subj eua had been
served on him last evening to appear at the
Washington police court and bring with him
all the papers, checks, documents, &c., and to
testify in regard to charges pending IN that
court against the late Secretary of War. Two
of bis colleagues (Messrs. Robbins of North
~ yul hnH
been similarly subpeuaed. He had appeared
before that court aud had stated that in obe-
dience to the law he appeared at its bar to obey
it's ORDER but that as member Of committee
OF the House be felt it would be prejudiclal to
the highest interests of the country that his
colleague and himself be compelled to state
what had transpired in their committee room.
He believed that such course would not ouly
close the mouths Of all witnesses, but that, III
many cases, it would drive them from the land.
He said, furthermore, that, while Dot pleading
their privileges rs members OF the House, they
must, nevertheless, protest against being eX-
amined, and would only consent TO be so exam-
ined after an order being made specially to
that end BY the court. The court had taken
time for deliberation and had determined II 1t
needed their attendance thereafter, to send for
them. He had felt it his duty to bring the
matter to the attention of the House 10 order
that the House might take such action in the
matter as it might deem right, just and neces-
sary. "a
MIR. Blaine, of Maine, asked Mr.. Clymer if
the court had asked, or had desired to ask, for
any information that was not contained IN the
published report, aud was not matter OF record
aud of general notorety. He could very we'll
conceive that the gentleman from Pennsylva-
MIA might not wish to be called upon 10 that
court to testify of what was still committee
secret; but on what the point OF dellcacy could
arise as to those matters which Were rs COM
mon as history could m Ike them, he could not
see.
Mr.. Clymer replied that the court had not
proposed to ask them any questions at all; they
we're to be examined before the grand jury. Ii
the questions were to have been asked by the
court in the presence OF the public, ne might
not have had so great an objection, but be and
his colleagues bad felt that if they we're to go
before grand jury, whose proceedings were
necessarily secret, that fact would strike terror
everywhere throughout the land, aud would
close all the avenues of testimony to the House
and it's committees.
Mr.. Blaine reminded Mr.. Clymer that his
owe privilege as member protected him, and
that there was no power to compel him 10 tes-
tify.
Mr.. Clymer repeated that he had stated to
the court that he did not intend to plead his
privilege, so that it might not be said that he
Intended to exclude anything which should be
rightfully known to the public.
MIR. Robbins lalde like statement in refer
ence to his beiog subr9aaed, &C., and decar
ed it as bis belief that the effect, if not the de-
sign, was to intimidate witnesses aud throttle
Investigation.
Mr.. Danford, of Ohio, another member Of
the committee, said that he had no subpoena to
20 before the Court, but be would like to
know from the chairman whether any ad-
ditioDal testimony had been taken before the
committee.
Mr.. Lamar, of Mississippi objected to that
question.
Mr.. Blaine-The objection must come from
q most iuconcelvable motive.
MIR. Lamar-It may be motive that you
miscouceive but nevertheless it is a motive
which have, and that is the preservation of
parliamentary order. | maintaln that 20 mem
Der has right to reveal the secrets Oft the com
mittee room.
Mr.. Clymer said that there had been no ad
ditipnal testimony taken before the committee,
but he repeated that the attempt to drag
forth what occurred 10 committee could re-
suit in nothing but detriment to the public
veal.
Mr.. Blaiue-There should be no division or
division between the two sides of the
House 10 regard to the vigorous prosecution OF
public criminals. What was the object OF this
Investigation except to bring offenders to Grim
inal justice Committees could not punish any
body. Everybody knows that this was bru-
tum fumeD.
Mr.. Clymer-I have stated the facts of the
case to the House, and if necessary imputa-
ton arises that some one 10 this District wishes
TO close the avenues of evidence all over the
country it is not who make the charge, but
the facts of the case.
Mr.. Baine-The gentleman closed the ave.
nue. himself.
Mr.. Cymer-I will not permit the gentle
nan from Maine to impute to me that which |
10 not understand. or put insinuatlon 10 my
mouth which have not uttered.
Mr.. Blackburn, Of Kentucky, another mem,
Der of the committee, said be was not surprised
u the uneasiusss and nervousness manifested
" the gentleman from Maine. He, MIR. Black
urn, did not intend to charge that it was the