New-York tribune., 1878-06-10

OF investigation, etc., OF WHICH DtlleNc gou
man. of letter incOsing copy of resolution tReso-
luton quOJed)
Without intending any dsrespect whatever 20 the
honorable comInitiee or the House Of Represenatyes
feel constrained by OF duty toward myself and
10 the Srnae OF the United States OF which am MEM
her, 10 dee Inc accepting this invitation under the CIR
cunSances st existing. had had no information
its resolution above quoted refers TO-, except
what derived from reading reports thereof IN the puDc
newspapers. when, observing from their pergsal
the manner and extent in and which they seemed TO
affect me- determined II due to myself and To the nom
9TH inst 10 bring them the attention Of the Senate In
statement and explanation OF personal natre, anu
which was adopted and OF which the following is copy
jquotng n.y. Ihaye Just submitted the whole matter TO
taken Jurisdiction aud entered upon the Investigation
quested That body alone, so far as my conduct IS con-
ccrncd is competent 10 render an ehecAVe Judgment
upon the question,
So far therefore as your resolution invites to sub
10 your committee explanations Of my correspond
with Anderson I'm evidence before IT, consider II
would be improper for under the circumstances 70
comply with 1t. am not officially informed OF the
subject under investigation 10y your committee, In refer
to which am aso,by its resOnonnyited toappear
and such questions may seem pertinent Dut
from the copy OF the resolution Of the House OF Repre-
seutatves from which your committee derives it's exist,
and authority. reported in The Congressional
Record, learn that IL Is limited 10 inquiry INTO
certain alleged frauds IN electons IN fiOtlGa Dti
named gentlemen, of whom am not mentioned as one.
have no knowledge whatever OF any mater Tatng 10
this subject except far 10 appears IN the cores
pOndence with Anderson. which is III evidence DeIore
your committee aud as for the reason already giyen
dered by the Senate, It only remains for me to sub
scribe myself, respectfully, STANLEY MATTHEW'S
After the reading of the letter Mr. Potter stated that
when the name of Senator Matthews had been first
mentioned he had inquired Of the members of the
minority Matthews would desire TO be present
and they had said that they did not desire TO have him
present.
Mr. Cox said that the chairman had been guilty OF no
dscOurtesy in the matter.
1t was then suggested that Senator Matthews must
had sent copies of the first days proceedings to him. as
well as to President Hayes and Mr.. Sherman.
Mr. Cox stated that he had been in the Senate Chamber
the day after the first testimony had been printed
and had asked the Senator casually If he had received
a copy Of the printed testimony. He replied that he
had not and Mr.. Cox let him have his own copy.
General Butler then addressed the committee on the
matter OF the appearance Of Senator Matthews. He
said IL was serious matter, aud while he member
Of the House he did not propose TO submit to any inF
sion OF its rights privileges The House. he SAID Is
charged with the power OF impeachment and properly
to exercise the right requires The fullest power in the
get testimony 1t cannot DO its duty com
mittee Of Investigations II one man can stay
:" | remember now" he continued, "t that subpoena
duces tecu was ordered TO be issued by Chief justice
the Investigation of Aaron Burr, to Thomas Jefferson
the President Of the United States to bring before MN
certain papers mat wanted, and on motion oi INC
defendant compromise was effected, by wIch tne ue-
fendant agreed TO receive the papers because CONFESS
way could make compromise so laI az papers
concerned, with Mr. Matthew'S but there are Two Two
missing think due to the persons accused mere 'nas
Mr.. Matthews should come 10 TESTIFY MI bUlIeI
offered the following resolution:
Resoired That the Hon Stanley Matthews, seeming to
be important and competent witness in the lnvesga-
issued TO summon said Stanley Matthews IN due form TO
testify before tins committee.
Mr. Butler then moved that the committee go into e1-
ecuve session, to discuss the resolution.
I Tho nfffff foe Will un
that the discussion has been IN public 1t may be con-
tinued in public.
MI Butler-I am content. have no objection.
Mr.. Cox said that he regretted greatly the crcum-
stances which had led to the discussion He made the
point however that the question OF the privileges
Of member OF Congress which had already been dis
cussed recently. 1t general question and applied to
members Of both branches He thought that member
Of Congress should be where his could be elective
especially II the parties closely divided He as
serted that the courts would witness from ap
bearing to testify If the plea that nc Is member
that the subpoena should be 50 W0rded as 10 ree tn
committee IRON any difficulties The subpoena should
certainly fix hour for attendance outside OF the meet
Mr. Butler said he agreed with Mr.. Cox about court
summoning "a member of Congress witness. he
said, however he had thought be was doing Mr. Mat
the couInittoe Mr. Matthews had not based his refusal
Of the Invitation on the ground stated 9y Mr. Cox.
Therefore.' said Mr. Butler suppose that le wants
TO make an issue on the question whether he can be
brought here at all ana 2ek uR .he 9dpF1 EN- ,i ai
be denied broadly the existence OF such privilege as
MT Matthews had referred to, aud he desired 10 test It
in mad never rcsored TO IN Parliament lie wished
that subpoena might issue, ana saiQ Lhdt Tue cmlltc
might then consider whatever the Senator made
Mr.. Cox claimed that the subpoena would be "A vain
thing under the clause OF the Constitution when e1-
empts a member OF Congress from arrest during the sos
sios of their respective Houses. II there Is no right OF
arrest for contempt tie subpoena ltse would De WoF-
less.
After some further discussion the chairman asked Mr.
Cox whether be desired to suggest any cAahEe III tne
phraseOOgy OF the resolution.
Nr Cox-I do not KNOW mat DO, except that the time
itself shall that there shall DO necessary
collision.
Tine ChailInan-Unlcss otherwise instructed by the
committee shall take that such question Is in
VOlYed.
The question was then taken, and the resolution was
adopted The committee then adjourned untN IL o'clock
Oh Monday