The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-24
MR.. TILDEN'S BANK ACCOUNT.

CASHIER JORDAN BROUGHT TO THE BAR OF
THE sENArE-HE MAKES STATEMENT AND
he Is DISCHARGED FROM CUSTODY AFTER
SHORT DEBATE.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 90, 1871
In the Senate to-day Mr.. MITCHELL (ep) OF Oregon,
called for the reading Of the return OF the sergeant-a
Arms upon attachment for the arrest Of Conrad
Jordan, cashier Of the Third National Bank Of New
York, who declined 10 certain questions pro-
pounded TO him by the Committee on Privileges and
Elections and TO produce the books aud accounts o the
bank In regard TO the accounts OF Samuel j. Tllden
William T. Pelton and A. s. Hewitt
The return having been read the witness Jordan
was produced tho bar Of tho Senate by the Sergeant
alarms He sent 10 the Clerks desk and had read
statement disavowing any intention Of showing dsre-
spect TO the order OF the Senate or lis COM
mittee, and declaring that Senator Morton
chairman OF the Committee Privileges and
Elections had telegram from him stating that he
would appear before the committee the 14tn inst
and that he did arrive here from New York before tho
Officer charged arrest him had left the CITY, He de-
clared that the president Of the bank, John w. Ellis
was the proper officer Of tho bank to produce the
books and papers, as he was tho custodian thereof;
that ho (witnsss) not tho custodian, aud had no
declined TO answer the questions OF the committee
without the advice OF counsel and he asked TO be al
lowed the advice OF such counsel.
u b
tho that Conrad n Jordan having failed to testify
produce the books papers, &C. therefore the Presi-
pro Of the Senate be instructed to certify
the ac under the seal Of the Senate, TO the United
States Attorney for the District OF Columbia Mr..
lions had given the witness opportunity 10 purge
himself of the contempt, but he failed TO do So He
asked that his testimony before the committee be read
Mr. COOPER, tdem) OF Tenn, asked by what au
thority this testimony was taken. The witness had
arrested for by order Of tho Senate aud
The action of the committee In permitting him tes
lily without the order Of the Senate waiver OF all
proceedings under the attachment; therefore the wit
ness under all rules Of law, should be discharged, The
attachment was issued against him because he Jailed
10 appear. When be did appear and the committee ex
smncd him the attachment fell
Mr.. HERMAN, dem OF n. " n member OF the Com.
mittcc Privileges and Elections, said he did not
object to the examination of the witness before the
committee, because he thought that 1t might be sup
posed nc was attempting 10 screen one VINO naa wrt'
tcn to him that he mad no desire to conceal his bank
(seierring to the recent letter Of Mr.. Tldcn
to him already publishcd.)
Sir. MITCHELL denied That the action of the CON-
mittee IN allowing the witness to testify was any
waiver oil the right to proceed against HIM
Mr.. WHITE, tdem.) OF Md, argued that under the
parliamentary law the moment witness appeared and
testified before committee voluntarily any order
issued TO compel his appearance was vacated. This
wit, came to Washington and went b.ore the
mittcc before he by the
therefore he could be punished. II this witness
should 60 before the committee now and suy he could
not the books and papers OF tho bank because
he not their Custodian there was not lawyer In
tho Senate who would say hc could be punished lie
hoped the would not be guilty of stul
Senator from oregon proposed
Mr. BLAIyE (rep) Of Nc, said he did not wish to be
understood believing III tho right of any committee
going into every back room or drawer pocketbook
bank account OF any man IN the United Staos, be he
democrat republican We're he to express
IN the matter he would express his contempt oil much
done both SIDES When blows gwen blows
would be returned and probably that was the reason
this witness was hero to-day. IT the witness should
state that he was wiling now to before the com.
mittcc and answer all proper questions 1t would end
The matter lie submitted that the proper
10 have such question addressed to tho witness by
President OF the senate.
During the discussion Mr. BURNSIDE, (rcp.) of X. l.,
referred 10 recent statements regard to agree
mont between the committees OF the House and SEN
regard to the production OF the bank
OF Mr.. Chandler, Mr.. Hewitt ana Others.
Mr. KgnNAS, member OF the committee, denied
my Knowledge OF such agreement
Mr.. MITCHELL, acting chairman Of the Committee
Privileges aud Elections, also denied any know ledge
II, and said he never spoke 10 any member OF The
House committee on the subject
Alter lengthy discussion In regard to the witness
Jordan, which was participated In by Messrs Mitchell
Salisbury MerrImon, Herman, Cooper, Jones OF
FLORIDA, and Others, Mr. Jordan by unanimous con-
sent, made a statement In which ho said he was now
prepared 10 answer any proper Questions When he
tody OF Deputy Sergcant.at-Arrns Hc
came Washington and reported at the
room OF the Sergeant alarms two hours before any
fore the committee where he was put on the stand.
He answered the questions put TO HIM under protest,
because he arrested pcedlcssiy. The Chairman OF
the Committee tMr. Morton had telegram from hi m
stating that he would be here certain day, and
he arrested That was an offence TO him, there
fore he declined to answer.
Mr. MITCHELL submitted a resolution that the wit.
ness Conrad n Jordan, upon hrs appearance before
the COMMITTEE Privileges aud Elections DO DIS
CHARGED from contempt
M. INGALLS, OF Arkansas. submitted n substitute
that the Witness Conrad NJ Jordan, be now
from contempt, and 1t was agreed TO-