The New York herald., 1878-12-31
THE Observation-Disclosures PEUD.

INDICTMENT OF THE VIRGINIA CONGRESSMAN
LING-READrNEss OF rHE CHALLENGED PARTY
TO TEsTIrY-MoDERN METHOD OF MEETING A
CARTEL.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 30. 1873
The public will doubtless remember the quarrel
between Mr.. Eppa Hunton Representative in Con-
gress from tho Eighth Virginia district. and AR Co
lumbus Alexander. OF this city. which grew out of .
statement alleged have been made by General Hun
ton. at public meeting in Alexandria, Va. to tho
effect that Mr. Alexander and others approved Of the
law relating to the Special Tax Enforcement act This
assertion Mr. Alexander contradcted and the result
spirited correspondence between them. Mr.
Alexander replied causticaliy and Mr. Hunton retored
with challenge.
Mr.. Alexander was asked If he knew anything Of
report to the effect that at the meeting Of the Grand
Jury after the holidays the question Of indicting
eral Hunton would be considered Mr. Alexander
plicd:-
II understand that such action will be taken, and
the present indications that that body will take
some notice Of it Immediately their assembling.
II is their duty according TO their oath, to indct
him.
THE CHALLENGE
General Hunton, tho evening Of July 16, 1878,
sent mo the following-
ask hss will indicate some place beyond the reach
which virginsns accord in soch cases can be made
This is clearly challenge, and section $40 Of the
Revised Statutes relating to the District Of Columbia
says
minstcc Grand Jury tho District they should lie
sworn faithfully and mpartally inquire aud ru.
make of all offences against tho law prohibit.
READY TO TESTIFY.
II ready continued Mr.. Alexander, ito an
swer any summons from the Grand Jury when called
They have full knowledge Of the challenge through
the HERALD where the correspondence was published
in FULL and afterward published in the Washington
newspapers. There is no way for the Grand Jury to
evade indicting him. The law is plain on the SUBJ
ject. Section 1.1G5 Of the Revised Statutes says:
Il a n s vf sss Or b
ss .. g. 70 n eorb, with
sesept any challenge duel onsss" in single
whatever shall be the bssrsr Of my such chs
Sss such
bearer Thereof and every person aiding abet,ny in
& sss''sss fSa'
= hard for term
sssesdsas Avs years. IN shs discretion Of tho eonrt
| Ea. THE LAW REGARDING POSTING.
| "You see." said Mr. Alexander, 'the law is plain
This is not the only violation Of the law made by
Hunton in that connection but he violated section
| 1,166 Of the statutes, which set forth that
III any person shall post publish any writing charging
snch declining refusing to such
Injurious therein tending degrade and disgrace
such FOR declining refusing such challenge
punished by confinement 10 hard labor in tho Penen
cr term not exceeding trec years In the discretion Of
In the face Of the above General Hunton, July 49,
| 1875 posted the following:-
Ihave thus given the individual opportunity show
that he Is gentleman and man OF courage but he has
cord me shs redress s the other lie refuses 70 come from
the protection Of tho poce he affects despse and
tinry therefore proclaim him malicious liar gar
blackguart and an irresponsible coward.
MIR. ALExANpEns EvAsrvE ANSWER.
Mr. Alexander asked IL he refused to accept tho
challenge and he replied that he neither declined
accepted. The language Of his reply to Hunton 8
| challenge was:-
Yon seem have an ungrounied fear Of our district
u yo"r rea King friends Who w Certainly see
that no harm shall be done to In that have
and M the hirsa burglar g ny house on the night
run me and my family No mood not fcarour policel
THE CONGRESSIONAL PRIVILEGE.
'Some people," said Mr.. Alexander, 'lave the idea
that he General Hunton) being . member Of Con-
gress protects him. Article OF the Constitution Of
the United States says:-
Senators and Representatives shall in all cases, except
treason felony and bresch Of the be privileged
samc,r
with all this staring the Grand Jury in the face
said Mr.. Alexander "thero can be possibility Of
their failing to take action this very important
matter. should be done act of Justice to the
public. Hunton should receive no favors and an
ample should be made of him. He Is lawmakcr
and also lawDreakcr. The correspondence and ono
of the posters will be submitted to the Grand Jury
they again meet and they will have fair op-
portunty OF giving the matter an impartial consid-
Grafton"