National Republican., 1877-01-29

to confer since 10 o'clock this morning. There
was no time now for further delay II the papers
Mr.. 9ARFI ED and others said that then
sGsbe h should be no vote on the previous question
good deal Of excitement and confusion now
| prevailed, and the Republicans rosorted to diia.
soy soIy motions, Mr., GARFIELD moving to adjourn
ann Mr. PAGE moving to adjourn TIL Tuesday.
The vote was first taken on the latter motion
and II was rejected
In order TO avoid further delay, Mr.. HAN.
COCK, Of Toxas, submitted a proposition that
the witnesses be allowed half an hour to confer,
tS ana n, mc 1iheT MbS Proeeedps be postponed unit,
nesses having said that that time would be sum.
Client.
100000 FOR CAPTAIN EApRs.
Mr.. HOLMAN, of Ind, from the Committee on
Appropriations, reported bill to authorize the
Sec. !nry Of The Treasury to pay 1900 70 Jas
Pass of the Mississippi river.
Pending consideration the members of tho
Louisiana Returning Board were again placed at
the bar, and tho bill was postponed.
THE RETURNING BOARD MAKE ANSWER.
Mr.. Anderson then presented the answer Of the
snid board, which was read by the Clerk. In the
"nmp & So n s I ,nownT Amy
submit that they have neither In law nor fact
violated any Of tho privileges Oft tho House. They
then set forth that, at and before the date Of the
service Of the subpoena dVces fecum, they were tho
duly appointed returning officers Of the State OF
Louisiana, charged with the canvass Of all votes;
that on the Ith Of November an election was held
lor Presidential electors and for State officers.
lhey thon quote the law showing the time and
place when they are to meet; what course they
shall pursue; that they are empowered to examine
witnesses, and to show the disposition they to
called for by the subpoena with the Secretary Of
the state on January ., and have not had any con.
not canynsscd all the votes when the papers were
demanded, and they could not part with them for
they needed them IN the examination Of the cases
referred to. They held the papers as the records
Of the State, and they believed their action under
the law was final, and not subject to review by any
State or National authority.
They denied the Jurisdiction Of tho committee
ofConBress to demand the records of the State,
and they think that a usurpatlon which neither
the committee nor Tousc will enforce. They
deny the right to produce records for inspection
by their removal from their lawful place Of Gus.
copies, but that they allowed the originals 10 be
inspected as s soon @ as they were opened. They did
not not Withheld ~ ths papers from any Inspection for
purpose of covering up fraud. They have not now
Possession Of the papers, hut, so far as they know
they are in the custody Of the Secretary OF State
When the papers were demanded they could not
give them up without endangering the existence
not seek to avail themselves ofa doubtful legal
claim to ne papers, but believe they arc fully
state officers cannot be compelled to give up
Mr.. LYNDE inquired II the answer was sworn
Mr.. KAssON said 1t was not necessary that It
,hould be unless the House made special order to
:, Mr. LYNDE then demanded the previous qucs.
tion; which was seconded
Mr.. KASSON demanded tho yeas and nays on
that part Of the resolution declaring the wit.
nesses In contempt, because It did not set forth
whether they were In contempt for failing to
testify or for miling to produce the papers.
Mr. LYNDE said 1t was not necessary to set
that forth. The whole House knew what they
were in contempt for.
The resolution was adopted-yeas li5, nays 81.
The other resolution, directing the witnesses to
appear before Mr.. MoRRIsoN's committee and
holding them in custody SC, was also adopted,
yeas 13s, nays 70; and tho witnesses were re.
manded to the custody Of the Sergeant-at-Arms.
The House then resumed consideration Of the
bill to pay Captain Eads.
The whole question at issue was whether the
payment should be made In money or in bonds
the committee reporting in favor OF money, while
Mr. Eads' friends insisted that he should be paid
In bonds under the terms OF tho contract, they in.
ssting that the opposition to the bonds was be-
cause they were now above par, and that II they
were deprecated there would be no opposition TO
the payment in the bonds. On tho other hand II
was contended that II he was paid in hve per cent
bonds he would get A500,0o6 while II paid in
money the Government would save the 500 0)0.
Pending q vote, IL transpired that there was no
quorum present, and the House, at bi5 p. m, ad-