The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-08-13
MATTHEW'S STILL MISSING.
THE sUBPTNA or THE COMMITTEE
TREITED WITH CONTEMPT.

Mr.. Potter Understands that lie will not
Come at Thi. or at Any Other Time. aud
Butier Wants TO Know the Reason why.
The Potter Investigating Committee be-
gan another session in this city yesterday
which is expected to continue week. The
special point to be the subject OF inquiry is the
MacVeagh- Harlan commission TO louisiana.
One witness was ready yesterday-Mr. W. u.
Roberts editor Of the New Orleans Tunfs-but
in consequence Of the absence of Mr.. Hiscock
the Committee adjourned until this morning
without taking any testimony. The members
present were the Chairman. Carkson N. Potter;
MIR. ]. c. 5. Blackburn OF Kentucky and Gen.
Butler.
At 2.3o Mr.. Potter announced that he ex-
pected other members OF the Committee to be in
attendance to-day and preferred not to 10 on
with the examination until Mr.. Hiscock could
be present
Gen. Butler said that there were other wit
nesses and he would ask that Stanley Mat
tnews be summoned.
Mr. Potter replied that summons was issued
and served upon Mr.. Matthews on his passage
through the city on Saturday. Mr.. Matthews
was not present in obedience to tho summons.
and he understood that Mr.. Matthews would
not attend.
Gen. Butler said: Mr.. Matthews is not now
informed. l am not aware that there is any
committee Of the Senate in session at all. / am
quito certain that there is no committee in ses-
sion OF which lac is Il member. Therefore Mr..
Matthews as distinguished rs he is ia bound.
like any other citizen Of the United States. by
tie Subpoena under resolution Of the House
of Representatives. He has not appeared and
OF course l would wait to give him full oppor-
tunity to appear. But understand you to say
that he has signified in some form to you. Mr..
Chairman that he docs not intend TO appear.
Mr.. Potter-I understood that he had pres
sure OF engagements at Newport which would
prevent his appearance here Tomorrow and
gathered from the gentleman who served him
that he did not intend TO appear at all.
Mr.. Butler-I have very important profess
SIGNAL engagements myself. Important TO my
clients and to me. In Boston. But felt that my
duty 70 the public business required my pres
ence here. at the risk OF professional engage
ments. certainly should not press the attend
ance OF Mr.. Matthews here 10 his personal or
professional discomfort had he stated that rs the
reason why he did not come. But II all this
means that he does not mean to obey the sum-
mons Of the House Of Representatives. then my
judgment us member of that House is. that
he sooner the issue is made and determined
and Settled the, better for, the ascertainment
OF the rights OF the citizen, the rights OF thr Sem
ate, and the rights and privileges oil the House.
II Mr.. Matthews can set ut nausht our suhpDna
do not sees why any other citizen oil tn" United
States cannot do the same thing. This invrs-
legation is then useless. except to sit and hear
Nllllnk Wllil''SSths anu NOluUkftI WITNESSES are
always subject 70 suspicion because they are
volunteer. / never know how much credence
70 place on what see In the public prints but.
T. | placed any credcnce in what they say, Mr..
Matthews has been t"stifyng before newspaper
reporters on the subject matter OF this invest
cation; II the SENATORIAL privilege amounts to
This. that Senator Matthews can testify 10 the
newspaper reporters but refuses to testify here
where he will be under oath. subject 70 the pains
and penalties OF perjury. and subject TO cross
examinato1 the quicker that claim is settled
the better II he had been wholly rcticent as a
WltnpSS v.
that some sense Of personal confidence IN his
relations 10 the Wormley conference may have
ceen controlling which among gentlemen lex
rept always IN II court OF Ju-tcel is usually
held c9ntr4,ling But that he does not put
newspapers what happened; and If he tells
there Just as much MS he pleases. | want him to
yell here Just as much rs We please. Therefore
move. sir. MS member OF this Commit tee. that
II be entered upon the records that VI r. Matthews
refuses 10 appear ana that the Contempt OF the
reported 10 the House for such action MS in their
judgment the House would consider proper
eniorcement, OF the rights OF the representa-
uves OF the House.
Mr.. Backburn said that Mr.. Matthews had
In company with Gov. Hendricks of Indiana at
Newport about this time.
Gen. Butler said that as he often made
That sort OF an excuse himself he was glad TO
accept I for others.
Mr.. Potter suggested, that perhaps it would
be well for III" clerk Mr.. Lines to relate what
happened on his interview with Mr.. Matthews.
II ss,ter Llnrs' tne clerk resuon Ted that ne
Udh 'ullfl uiNiN llls .hNAtll'NH ana pr St'ttt1
the supGna. ami Mr. Matthew's SAID that impor-
TINT profess onal engagements would prevent
his attendance. Mr.. Lines then asked whether
be mad any message 10 send to- Mr. Potter. or
whether any other day would be- moro con-
venient for him 10 appear, and Mr.. Matthews
answered that since h. could not attend on the
day named. il would be- a matter ot no conse-
qurncs to anybody what h. would do under
Other circumstances.
Mr.. Potter remarked that il would be better to
await the presDn - Of Mr. Hisco'k before voting
upon Gen. Buffers motion.and there the matter
rested
After announcing the adjournment until this
morning the Comnittc" W ut INTO rxecut We Sos
sion. Among the spectators present at tho omen
session were the witness james T.. Anderson.
and W. s. Andrcws. secretary ot the National
Democratic Commit. The testimony Of Mr.
Roberts OF the New Orleans Times Will be the
FIRST thing In order this morning.