New-York tribune., 1878-11-19
4PRlIGNED F0R CONTEMPT

startling rImor comes 10 Us from Washington
10 the effect that Speaker Randall has entered upon
a still hunt for prccedcnts in cases of contested
jurisdiction between the House and Senate.
Expcrt.-of whom Democratic Congress has pro-
duced such an abundant crop that they block the
ways 10 all the committee-roOms and public
bars-hayc been set to work IN the library,
and at this moment it is believed are accumulat-
ing authorities on the subject suited to
Mr. Randals fell purpose, whatever II is il il ln-
timated that the Speaker has in his eye the of
Senator Matthew'S of Ohio whom be proposes to have
arragu,d tor dIsobcying the summons of the Potter
Invrstigating Committee. Senator Matthews
as those OF our readers who have good memories of
persons and events VIII remember, was some tIHc
ago more or les, connected with politics. At the
beginning Of the present Administration ho was
one OF the most conspicuous figures IN the
political situation. He was efficient that
IT puzzled the most careful observer some
times TO tell whether he or the Admins
traiion was the Administration, but the Adj
minlstration vetoed him one day on the
financial question, since when he has been
satisfied to speak only for himself, aud not often at
that. lie Is still in politics. however. and IN the
Senate. In the belief of Speaker Randall and
various other leading Democrats some of
whom, however. are not leading SO much
thcws contains large amount of interesting and
varied information concerning the late Presidential
election, which it seems To them desirable to
draw out into the Keen bright sunlight
of publicity" The investigating commission
known a. the Potter Committee, which
seemed of n great deal more consequence a few
months ago than II does ever will again, in-
vied Senator Matthews to appear before IL and dis
gorge whatever he knew that sinful
and corrupt The Senator replied 10 the
effect that he was quite willing TO tell all he
knew, but there was not enough of it for both
Houses of Congress, he preferred TO keep 1t at his
own end of the Capitol, and he called for n commit
fee Of the Senat e. 10 whom he could unfold himself
Then Mr. Butler. who was rs much more formidable
then than he II now ever will be again, pow
der boat is before il has gone of, had subpoena s-
sued, upon which the Senator turned his back and
calmly travelled into Ohio, saying he had other
business.
And now Speaker Randall proposes to find out
whether man, simply because he IL United
states senator, can despse in this whole
sale way a Committee Of the House, the
Sneaker, the House itself. Mr. Benjamin +. Butler,
the Democratic party and the country at large. He
proposes to have Senator Matthews arraigned at the
bar Of the House for contempt. 1t is. we say, n
startling suggestion. Not because it raises the
ouestion of Senatorial privilege and prcrogatyc,
nor that 1t involves possible conflict OF
authority between the House and the Senate with
resort 10 arms, in which the body of Stanley Mat
thcws shall he rent limb from limb by the contend
ing factions in the rOtunda. All that is of little
account More momentous consequences
yolyed. For the arraigmnent of Stanley Matthews
for contempt must be for contempt of something
specifc and defined What is 1t that he dcspscs
obviously either the House of Representatives or
the Potter-nay, its later is its more correct
name-IIuter Committee Thus. then, the question
pres, nts itself in ITS naked dcfOrmity, Shall it be
held an offence to despise the body over which Mr.
Randall presides the committee which is run
by Mr. Bu,!eri If that be so, who is safof We beg
Mr. Randall to consider the dangerous ground
which he stands and desist from so hazardous an
enterprise. How shall you frame an indictment
against q whole people How. indeed shall you
arraign whole people at the bar of the House for
contempt. For if You begin with Stanley Matthews
there Is 10 telling where you will stop. We know
not what Speaker RandalPs precedents and
authorities may be, what he may feel
warranted by them In doing, but we hope Sena-
tor Matthews. if he should he arTaIRned for hold
ing the present House or the Butler Committee in
contempt. will not fall back on his Senatorial
prerogatiyc, but simply put in evidence the public
record of the House and of the committee aud APP
peal to the general judgment of mankind.
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1t is time TO give generous recognition to tho
a -. a A -. Ia. =