New-York tribune., 1876-12-19
PRIVACY OF TELEGRAMs.
A SUBPOENA on Mr.. oRToN-AN EARLY DECISION AS
TO TIE AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS HOPED FOR.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE


TO TIE AUTHORITY OF CONGRESS HOPED FOR
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBusEl
WASHINGTON Dec. 1S.-The chief topic OF
conversation among members to-day was the attitude OF
President Orton Of the Western Union Telegraph Com
pany toward the House IN regard TO urrenderng dis
patches which have been called for by the Morrison
committee. The Committee the Judiciary al Its
meeting to-day appointed subcommittee to take the
subject into consideration, and subpoena was served on
Mr. Oron on behalf Of the Louisiana committee, thus
placing him in a position where he must obey or not
obey. This will bring the case before the
House in such shape that a decision Of the
question Of privilege must be made. Inc
Republicans very generally take the ground that the
committee must not be allowed 10 throw out It's d:agnet
in tho hope that among all found in It there
be something bearing upon the subject OF investigation
They urge that the committee must lay the foundation
for calling for every dispatch which requires to be pro-
duced Just would be required TO do in court OF JUS
tce The same opinion also prevails among many OF the
most influential Democrats, OF whom will oppose
the demand made by the committee in its present form
on the floor Of the House.
SUGGESTIONS MADE IN THE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
POSITION OF MR.. ORTON.
IGESKRAL PRESS DIsPATcHI
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-Mr. HOar submitted
TO the Judiciary Committee to-day proposition TO the
following effect: First, that the House should compel
only the production of private papers and telegms In
cases where the person Who required prodrce them
is not himself charged with oense or, so charged,
secured the most ample protection against penal
ducnces and second that satisfactory proof In all
should be required in advance that the private papers
kilograms would throw light on the subject under In
yestgaton; and in all cases there shoudbe description
of the particular paper or telegram required. a
proposition was submitted by Mr.. Scott Lord 10 the
effect that the House has the right to authorize
It's committees to procure teeraphc correspondence In
any case where the character OF the correspondence
proper and material for the eucdation Of the truth In
regard TO any inquiry before the House that In case the
correspondence does not pertain to the subject matter
great care should be taken 10 prevent It's publicity and
IN case OF refusal by any person TO produce the CORE
spopdence he shall on process therefor be brought TO
the bar OF the House and dealt with according to law
These propositions referred to the subcommittee
Mr. Lord was designated chairman of said subcom-
mlttee but declined he compelled to home for
twelve days.
Mr. Orton has not rs stated received personal service
commanding him 10 appear in NewOrleans on the 26ih
inst bringing with him all OF the kilograms In his DOS
session or under his CONTROL sent by Secretaries Chandler
and Cameron and other prominent Republicans since the
1st Of september last Mr.. Ortons position Is, that
while he does not question in any degree the authority
OF the House 10 compel obedience to its mandates,
IL should be recollected that, since the passage
OF the law. ten years ago, relating TO privileged
communications an entirely condition or things has
arisen: that since then the volume OF kilograms sent
throughout the country has increased from 5OOOOOO or
600 900 TO OO0 at present; that the senders
of these messages represent the capital the enterprise
and the intelligence OF the country and that they arc
entitled 10 the protection OF their business Affairs from
Congress.