Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-01-29

obedience to ito lawful authority, and was solely
faithfully.
They submit that they have not in law or in fac,
violated any privilege Of the house, nor rendered
themselves in any way Justly amenable to be treat
ed as in contempt Of its authority.
The answer then proceeds to detail the pfoyis.
SION oil the law OF Louisiana governing the action
OF the returning board in regard to elections
They state that until full canvass Of election in
that state was completed the continuous control
! OF the papers was absolutely indispensable: that
| the moment their duties were ended all such pap
pers are required to be deposited with the secre
| tary Of state.
| This was done on or about the 9Th Of JAM. 1877,
and the papers have ever since remained there
| them.
| Ihe answer then proceeds with long legal argu-
mens against the right of the house or of con-
gress to go behind the report Of the returning
oosrd As TO the election Of presidential electors,
and characterixing attempt Of committee to pos
ses: itself of the papers as an act of assumption
which the committee or house after mature deiib-
GRAFTON would not persist in.
They declare that neither Of them know of any
fraudulent or false return on which they based
their action but that on the contrary, in every act
and conclusion of theirs they acted to the best of
their knowledge, and according to law and right.
They say 1t IL not in their power to surrender
the papers called for, and they submit that il they
oiS " pe puuisntu Dy tue f1Ouse, guarantees Oh
the constitution are most cruel uockery. In con-
cusion they state that they submit their rights
shcers and their liberties rs citizens TO the pro-
lection Of the law Of the land.
MIR. Lvnde inquired whether the answer was
sworn to.
The Speaker after examining it said that il was
not.
Mr. Lynde suggested that that was an unusual
thing. Such answers are under oath, and that
was parliamentary law.
Tba G.. 4
been the practice, and that former speakers had
intmssed that it was better to have answer sworn
to.
Mr.. Hale Of Maine-But only in suggestive
way.
The Speaker--Of course, there il no rule to
govern the case. The witness can be sworn now.
Mr. Lynde-I don't care about their being
sworn l move the previous question on the FIRST
resolution.
Mr.. kasson suggested that the resolution should
define what the contempt consisted Of.
Mr. Lynde replied that the record showed
what ohense the witnesses were guilty of, and it
was not necessary in every order of the House
that that should be repeated.
MIR. kasson-This is the first time the House
has been asked TO give judgment for contempt.
How can they purge themselves unless the
tempt is defined
Mr.. Lynde-By appearing before committee
and producing the papers. ....t.- .....-
Mr.. Kasson-Why not say SO in the resolution
MI Ly uoS-DecAuse IL - uot necessaTy. ne
resolution was again read. 1t simply reads that
They be adiudgsd to be in contempt for viola
ton Of privileges of the House."
Mr. kasson-They can afford to go to Jail on
this principle.
The resolution was adopted. Yeas las, nays
S7-a party vote with the exception Of Mr.. Carr
of Indiana, who voted mo-"
The question then required on the second res
oution ordering witnesses to appear before tho
sbecial committee Of which Mr.. Morrison is
oh 49, I.c. Ill 49, ~f
together with the afidavits, etc., and demanding
them to the custody of the sergeant at arms.
Adopted. Yeas l3S, nays IS.
The House then resumed the bill authorizing
the Secretary of the Treasury to pay $500 900 to
James b. Fades. Without action on bill the
House
Adjourned.