The daily gazette., 1878-06-22
FOURI H EDITION
The Matthews Investigating
Com nm fttee.
REFUSAL OF JAMES e. ANDERSON TO TEs-

TIFR.
WARRINGTON, June 2l.-The Matthews
committee met this morning at IL o'clock
aud held private consultation for two
present when the door of the committee
room was opened, and James E. Andsr-
son appeared in obedience to the sum-
moLs and was sworn. He having made
q request that he be attended bv council
the room was cleared for consultation.
The committee refused Auderson's re-
quest This decision having been COM
municated by Senator Allison, the aeung
chairman, to Anderson, the latter said
he had no statement to make nor ques-
tions TO answer, whereupon the room
was again cleared for consultation.
When the door was again opened the
chairman informed Anderson that he
should answer the questions they might
see proper to put, and explained to him
that no court ever allowed a witness to
have council.
The chairman then asked Anderson his
age and occupation. Anderson replied
ne had no desire to throw obstacles in
the way, but Senator Matthews was a
lawyer aud was here looking after his in
terest, and he (Auderson) did not see why
he should not have lawyer to look at
ter his own interest.
The chairman again asked Anderson
clined to answer
The chairman then asked whether he
had placed any papers in Matthews
possession, and if so, what? Anderson
declined to answer, repeating he had no
questi ons to answer
Senator Whyte said: ''You mean SIM
ply to say that you set at defiance the
win of this committee?" Anderson
"You put it too strong. simply wish to
say decline answering. l have TO pro-
pose that If Senator Matthews will 20 be-
fore the Potter committee l will testify.
The room was cleared for consultation
concerning Anderson's refusal to answer
Mr.. Anderson privately says that he
made the proposition that Senator NJ at
thews appear before the Potter commit
tee in order that he might ask him ques-
| tsons he could not ask before the Mat
thews committee, and further, that, the
| Senate not being in session, he could not
be punished rs a recusant witness.
III thecourse of questioning the witness
| stated in reply that he had been expect
ing to be indicted in Louisiana for per-
jury for the last two years He did not
think he was in any danger of that in
Washington, however, unless it is shown
that he forged the returns.
Senator Alison here asked Mr.. Mat
Lhews ifhe had any suggestion to make
with reference to going on with Adder
son r testimony. MT. MauJneWS Salu tue
only course other than that of waiting
| until the committee can have the power
to compel the answers of the witness was
to obtain from the House committee the
statement he has already made. If the
the committee think that sufficient he
was ready TO go on as if it had been d
| livered here.
The acting chairman then said to An
| derson that the committee had decided
A fnl inn nd .lrn1
asked him if he was willing to answer
questions? ? Anderson said he was not
Senator Whyte-In the absence of the
the Senate we have no power to punish
Mr.. Anderson for contempt, in refusing
to answer our questions. Under these
circumstances | move that the committee
adjourn, subject to the call of the chair-
| man
The motion was agreed to and the com.
mittee adjourned.