The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-06-22
The Matthews Committee Meets an
InsuperabIe Difficulty---Ander-
son Refuses 10 Testify.
The Committee Without Power 10
Punish for Contempt.
The Investigation Adjourned.

WAsHIseroS, June 2l.-MattheWs'
Senate Committee was in private session
two hours and half to-day.
When the doors were re opened james
E. Anderson was sworn, but being re-
fused counsel he said he had no statement
TO make nor questions to answer.
The committee went into private ses.
sion for short time.
When the doors were again re-opened
Anderson wAs informed that he should
answer what questions the committee
might zee proper TO put, and was asked
his age and occupation.
Anderson replied that he had no de.
sire TO throw obstacles in the way, but
Senator Matthews was = lawyer and was
here looking after his interest, and An.
derson didn't see why he should not have
lswyer TO look after his own interests.
Senator Allison 10 Matthews-You
have heard what Anderson has said.
Have you any suggestion TO make to the
committee with reference to going on with
Anderson's testimony.
Mr.. Matthews-I dislike very much 10
take the responsibility OF making any
suggestions 70 the committee on the sub
iect. ! am ready here to-day and shall
be at any future time that convenience
Of the committee shall fix for the purpose
Of assisting the committee and facilitate
in any way within my power the OBJ
iects and purposes for which il was orig
mated and authorized. The only course
other than that Of waiting until the COM
mittee have the power OF the Senate
to compel the answers Of the witness is
to obtain from the committee Of the other
House the statement which he has already
made under oath before it, and which
constituted the ground and basis on which
l asked the Senate for the appointment
Of this committee. In case the commit
lee think that sufficient for the purposes
Of the investigation with which they are
charged and obtain that testimony, 1 am
ready TO go on "a II il had been delivered
again here, but whether the committee
ought to take tha. course, l think, is
question which-the committee ought 10
decide, but do not wish TO be consider
ed as giving any opinion, or advice, or
expressing any wish in regard TO the
matter.
The questions were repeated, also,
whether he had placed any paper in
Matthews possession, and also what, but
Anderson declined 10 answer.
Senator Whyte-You mean simply to
say you set at defiance the will Of this
committee.
Anderson-You put it too strong. l
simply wish 10 say decline answering.
have 10 propose that II Senator Matth.
ews will 20 before the Potter committee
will testify.
Another consultation Of the committee
followed.
When the doors we're opened Anderson
was informed by the Chairman that the
committee had decided that they would
require his testimony before the commit.
tee. He then asked Anderson: Are you
now willing 10 answer such questions as
may be propounded to you2
Anderson replied am not.
Chairman-Then in refusing TO an.
swer any questions pertaining to the
matters Of investigation you set this com.
mittee at defiance.
Senator Whyte-In the absence Of the
Senate we have no power 10 punish for
and therefore l move that this
committee now adjourn subject to the
call OF the chairman.
The motion was agreed to and the com.
mlttee accordingly adjourned.