The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-01-28

every one Of their acts they acted with the most
SINCERE respect and Difference to the dignity
and m,es sus n0a GI The he House and It's
Of submitting in all good faith to every
lawful requrcment Of the House and its
committee. and that II any act Of theirs
was breach of the lust privileges of the
House IL was not 80 intended. but was without
ag .y purpose OF fraud or Of disobediencc to law
iul authority. ana was solely in the honest pur-
pose to discharge their official duty faithfully
They submit that they have not in law or in fnct
violated any privilege Of the House nor ron
nercu themselves IN any way justly amenable to
be treated as in contempt OF It's authority. The
answer tn9n proceeds to detail the provisions OF
N. INV OF louisiana governing the action of the
keturnng Board in regard to elections They
siy tnat until the full canvass of the election in
OF the papers was absolutely Indispensable and
that the moment those duties are ended all such
Gapcr,ss are required 70 be deposited with. the
Jan. $. 1877. and the papers have ever since re-
NAMED there without these wtncsscs having
any control over them The answer then pro-
IDENTIFY prepared in advanccl against the
right OF the House or of Congress to go behind
the report Of the Returning Board as to the eec-
ton OF Presidential electors. and characcrizing
the attempt of the committee to possess itself OF
the papers as an net Of usurpation which the
committee or the House. after mature dclibcra-
tloni would not persist in. They dec larc that
h nun OF them knows OF any Fraudulent or
hut that on the contrary, in every act and con-
cusion ot theirs they actodto the best of their
kH'Nl'uEc. ana NttOfilnk 10 law ana right.
They say il Is not in their power to surrender
the papers called for and they submit that II
they are to be- punished by the House the guar
antccs OF the Constitution are u most cruel
mockcry or unallcviated folly. In conclusion
they stat" that they submit their rights as on-
Gers. and their liberties IA citizens TO the pro-
tcctiou Of the laws oi the land.
Nr. Lynd" dem. Wis., inquired whethe the
answer was sworn to.
The Speaker. after examining 1t. said 1t was
not.
Mr.. Lyndc suggested that M n usual thing
parliamentary law,
The Speaker said that that had recently been
NE practlec and that former Speakers had in
timnt"d that IT was better ~ have answers
Mr.. Hale tRcp.. Me.)-But only in a sugges-
The Speakcr-Of course. There is no rule to
govern the case The witnesses can be sworn
Mr.. Lynde-I do not care about their being
sworn. ! move the previous question on the
Mr. Knsson suggested that the resolution
SHOULD define what the contempt consisted Of.
Mr. lyndc replied that tho record showed
what offence the witnesses had been guilty Of,
and that IT was not necessary In every order Of
the House that that should be- repeated.
:, Mr. kasson-This, is the first time that the
House has been asked 10 give a judgment Of
contempt. How can they purge themselves I'M
les thy contempt is delnedY
Mr. Lyndc-By appearing before the commit
te., and producing the papers.
Mr. kasson.Why not say SO in the resolution?
Mr. Lynde-Because ii is not necessary.
Inc resolution was again read. IL simply
reads that =" they be adjudged to be- in contempt
for violation of the privileges Of this House"
~, Mr. kasson-Thcy can afford to 10 to Jail on
this principle.
The resolution was adopted. Yeas. ll5; nays
S s, party vote with therxeeption of MIR. Carr
The question then recurred on the second res
olution ordering the Witnesses Ia appear before
the special committee OF which Mr. William H.
Morrison If chairman, 10 produce all statements
OF votes and tally sheets of every polling place
in Louisiana. with aflldayits, &C.. and remand
ing them TO the custody Of the Sergcant-at-
Arms. The resolution was adopted-Yeas. 1855
nays. 20.
The House then resumed the consideration of
the bill authorizing the Secretary of the
Treasury to pay 10000 to James b. Elds.
- Mr.. Blount tDem. Ga and Mr.. Clymcr DEM
Pal spoke in opposition TO Mr. Buckner's
amrnimsnt providing fol. payment 10 be made
IN United States bonds. Mcssrs. Foster tRep.
House. without action ON the bill. adjourned.