The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-01-28

WAsHNaros, January 27.-Represen-
tative Glover will tomorrow introduce q
bill to amend the revised statutes relative
10 investigation by Congressional com.
mittees, so rs 10 authorize any member 70
administer oaths to witnesses and provide
for the immediate arrest OF witnesses
failing TO appear; also that witnesses
refusing TO testify shall forthwith be
placed In the custody OF the Sergeant-at-
Arms without waiting for the House to
order his arrest, and his contumacy shall,
as soon as practicable, be reported 10 the
House for It's action. The bill makes a
refusal to testify contempt Of authority
Of either House, and punishable with not
more than $1,000 fine, or imprisonment
not more than one year, or both at the
discretion Of the House or Senate. II
also reyiyes the provisions Of the act Of
January "a, 1857, exempting from all
penalties witnesses who may crimi.
nate themselves in testifying be-
fore the committees, and forbids the
discharge Of witnesses in the several de-
partments Of the Government who may
testify concerning the abuses, corruption,
extravaganza, or unlawful or immoral
acts Of oppression, extortion, or other Of
fetal misconduct, within one year from
the time OF testifying, or without at least
six months notice Of such removal, in
Guiding thirty days leave OF absence with
pay, and payment in full for services
rendered by such persons. A penalty is
provided for the violation OF this pro.
hibition. The committees are empowered
to impose secrecy on the witnesses con-
cerning the nature Of that testimony; this
aims 10 prevent unfounded charges against
innocent persons from being circulated
before examination by the committee.
Penalties are also imposed on the per
sons attempting to induce the witnesses
10 refuse to appear or testify or otherwiie
conspiring 10 prevent the committees from
ascertaining the fact that witnesses are
exempt from arrest by any other author
iiy while coming, going or attending the
committees. The bill abolishes the re-
sponsibility OF contumacious witnesses 10
any court, the punishment to be inflicted
by that house OF whose authority the wit.
ness is 10 contempt.
Representative Whitthorne will 10.
morrow introduce bill giving 10 all Ia.
borers and employees OF railroads char.
tered by Congress, or which may be on.
gagged in interstate commerce, lien on
property OF the respective companies for
wages due, which shall have priority in
equal and right OF all other claims, and
which may be enforced by attachment or
otherwise in any district court Of the
United States.
Hon. John B. Kerr died suddenly this
morning at his residence in this city. He
was native OF Maryland, son Of United
States Senator John Leeds Kerr, and was
himself member OF Congress previous
to 1850. President Fillmore appointed
him Minister to Central America,
John NJ. Van Buskirk, prominently
connected with the Columbia Bank Note
Company OF Washington, died here this
morning, after two days illness OF pneu.
monia. His generous nature and rare
qualities as a friend endeared him to
many, who will long cherish his memory.
The funeral OF Fredrick D. Stuart,
Past Grand Secretary OF the Independent
Order OF Old Fellows, took place this
afternoon from Odd Fellows Hall and
was largely attended by members Of the
Order Of The District Of Columbia, Vir.
ginia and Maryland. Among The promi.
nent Odd Fellows were Grand Secretary
Moore, Of this District. Durham, OF Ken.
tucky, Nicholson, Of Pennsylvania, and
Sherlock, OF Ohio.