The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-06-10


! the close Of the reading of the letter TINT he
had resolution to offer, but before doing
so he made deliberate speech, which ex-
cited great stir.
HE WANTED TO GET AT THE BOTTOM FkCTs.
He said he wanted to get at the bottom
facts--the country wanted to know them.
he had no friends to reward and no enemy
to punish in this matter. He said the House
Of Representatives not only has the power
to impeach high officers for high crimes,
but it sits as o grand inquest OF the nation
to bring high criminals to trial. To do this
requires the highest power to obtain testi-
mony. Before the lowest court having iu-
risdiction in the lowest misdemeanor case
every man summoned must appear under
pain Of contempt, and be subject to punish
ment. How much more, then, before a
body legal in form and judicial in ac-
ton must every man, high or low,
be bound to appear when requested and
give evidence. Whether the deliberations
OF this committee will result in impeach-
ment of any official depends on the testimo-
ny, and if it can't get the testimony how
can it do its duty? II one manis permitted
to stay away others may, and injustice may
thereby be done the United States and those
implicated in the matter under inyestiga-
ton. 1t is no excuse to say don't know
anything and therefore need not come.
With his views of the duty of a citizen and
the powers of the committee he offered 4
resolution that subpoena be issued sum-
moning Mr.. Matthews to appear be-
fore the committee. II he is not
made to come never again, : said
General Butler, would he vote to
imprison any misguided poor fellow who
failed to obey the summons of House COM
mittee. He cited as precedents the fact that
Messrs. Ferry and ColiaX both appeared
before q House committee, and in thirty
years he had never known senator to re-
fuse an invitation as mfr. Matthews had
done. II Mr.. Matthews threw down the
glove he took it up quickly, and he knew
OF no privilege of senator to pre-
vent him from telling the truth in
the course OF justice. He wanted to
test this question of privilege. In the
House OF Lords the only privilege is that
being nobility they need not testify on oath,
but here we have no nobility. After re-
marks from Messrs. Read and Cox the COM
mittec passed General Buffers resolution.
The understanding was that Senator Mat
thews shall be subpGnaed when the Senate
is not in session.
GENERAL CHALMERS WARNS THE NORTHERN
DEMOCRATS. ..r.
In his reply to Mr.. Herbert, Of Alabama,
who opposed the TeXas-Pacilic bill, General
Chalmers told the northern Democrats that
as much as the South is attached to the
Democratic party, that when it sees the
northern Democracy opposing the Texas
Pacific and other measures Of justice to the
South that it cannot help asking itself, Why
have I suffered so long and endured so much
for the Democratic parY? He might have
added if the northern Democrats in the
Senate desire to still further ALLEVIATE the
southern Democracy they have only to vote
against the reduction OF the tobacco tax or
refuse to aid in bringing the subject before
the Senate. -.a".
LEWIS M'KENZTE CONGRATULATED.
Hon. Lewis Mckenzie was at the Capitol
to-day, and was warmly congratulated by
Democratic friends on his nomination as
postmaster of Alexandria. There seems to
be no doubt Of his confirmation, and hard
" suppose any senator OF either party who
knows him will vote against him.
NOTHING IN REGARD TO SUGAR DONE.
The Ways and Means Committee had 4
meeting to-day, but did nothing in regard
to the proposition to change the duty on
sugar. To your correspondent this indi-
Gates that nothing will be done by Congress
at this session in the matter, and that the
sugar schedule of the tariff laws will re-
main as it is.
DISTRICT MATTERS.
Washington is now excited chiefly about
the public-School celebrations and the re-
duction of the pay OF the police. The sun
dry ciyil-service bill, as reported to the
House, reduces the pay OF the police to
$500 per annum, and this the officers OF the
force say is entirely too little for the duty
performed.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.
Section 4th OF the deficiency appropria-
ton bill, which has passed the House, says
and it shall be the duty OF the several nc.
counting officers OF the Treasury to con.
tinue to receive, examine, and consider the
Justice and validity OF all claims under ap-
preparations, the balances OF which have
been exhausted or carried to the surplus
fund, under the provisions OF said section,
that may be brought before them within d
period OF five years from the date they &C.
crued or may accrue" This will elicit dis.
cussion in the Senate.
THE TALK TONIGHT IN REGARD TO BUTLER's
SPEECH.
Everybody is talking tonight about Gen
eral Buffers speech in the Potter commit
tee. Republicans say, [ told you all the
time that he. was with the Democrats and
against Sherman and Matthews. The Dem
ocrats laugh and enjoy it.
BRIEF ITEMS.
The Democrats rejoice considerably over
the victory in Oregon.
The President has received over 100 in.
yitations to Fourth of-July celebrations
and is sorry he cannot go to all.
Petitions continue to be received by Con-
nAsz. f,k