Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-05-06
Letter from Washington.

WAsHISGTOS, ID. C., May l, 1876.
Last week marked several important
events. OF these, the most important in
my view, was the decision of Judge Car
ter in the KilbouTn case. have already
explained fully the cause Of KilbOurn's
Imprisonment aud the manner of his be-
ing taken from the custody OF the House
Of Representatives by a writ Of AaJeas
corpus, and carried before Judge Carter.
II was generally supposed, that when the
case was tried, the Judge would have
enough regard for law, to examine only
the validity of the order under which
KilbOurn was held, and not to question
the right Of the House to hold him for
contempt. 1t has been PreFOgative of
courts, from time immemOrial to pro-
tect themselves, by Furnishing those who
refused to obey their mandates, and other
courts were not permitted to interfere
with this right, even by the writ of
hdbeGs corpus, all the other decisions hav-
ing been, that where a prisoner was held
for contempt upon legal order, the court
alone which issued that order, could re-
woke it. \ committee of Congress, set
ing rs court of inquiry, asked aquestion
which Kilbourn refused to answer, and
for that refusal was sent to Jail by the
House, and now Judge Carter has releas-
ed him. This decision, If the House sub
mits to il, deprives the House of all pow
er to conduct an Investigation, and that is
the reason 10 teds made. Pie administers
ton has adopted another measure to Grip
pie the investigations. The heads of the
departments refuse to furnish the Origi-
nal papers asked for in any case; they
say they are made custodians sf these pa.
pors. and they will not trust them in the
hands of committee, but will furnish
copies. This will cause delays as the pa
pers called for in some cases are volumi-
nous, requiring a long time to prepare
copies; and will entirely defeat the object
of the investigation in others, as the in
quiry and examination of the originals
might, and in some instances il is known,
would reveal that signatures had been
forged. But the investigations must be
stopped, is the order, if there is any pos
sible way of doing so, and hence the de-
cision of Judge Carter, and their order
to deliver no papers.
Secretary Bristow has been being in
vestigated and she is on high horse, -
as the western men say. He 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. l do not believe
there is any thing in the charge, but Sec
rotary Bristow's manner of defending
himself does not add to his reputation.
Charges are made that Senator Morton
was guilty Of disappointing money
while Governor Of Indiana, and you are
familiar with the charge against Blaine, in
regard to the railroad bonds. As Conk-
ling is the recognized candidate of the
administration, and Blaine, Britow ard
Morton are his principal competitors, it
does look little like COnkling's 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, substan-
lively as the committee reported it, and
if adopted by the Senate makes saving
of six millions of dollars. from the expen-
ditures for the fiscal year ending the first
day of next July. But it is well under
stood that the Senate will take the same
course with this bill they have with the
other appropriation bills, and the pros
poets are that on the first of July there
will be no money in the treasury appro-
priated for any purpose but PENSIONS
As the secretary cannot pay out a dollar
until Congress makes an appropriation,
the result will be that all the depart
ments must stop work. The courts will
be closed and all the employees of the
Government will be discharged, and all
because Republican Senators are deter
mined to usurp powers conferred by the
Constitution on the House of Representa-
tives.
1t is rumOred at this writing that the
committee has summoned KiIbourn be-
fore it and will ask him the same ques-
tions he formally refused to answer, pro-
ceeding against him again for contempt
if he refuses to answer. doubt this, for
the action of the court was referred to
the Judiciary committee of the House
with directions to report on Tuesday.
\ new bill proposing to loan the Texas
& Pacific road So, 900 permits in green
backs, instead of guaranteeing the interest
on its bonds, will be introduced sOon.-
This bill ought to satisfy all who are in
favor of imitation. 1 have not seen the
bill yet, bat am told it offers every guar
antee for the payment of the money.
The New York convention at Utica,
certainly gave Tilden the front place in
the race at st. Louis. How long he will
it is another question.
RENo.