Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-04

only voidable, but actually void as against tn.
government. He asserted also that the pro
vision had been inserted at the instance of the
First National bank, of New York, the holder
of large amount of those bonds.
The intimation was repealed by Messrs. Akin
and Hale. both of whom denied the existence
of any influence within their observation et
cept one hostile to the provision, and other as
aertions of Mr.. Blackburn were combatted by
Mr.. Hewitt, of New York, Mayham, Henry and
Buckner.
Finally the House voted on the adoption of
the report, and it was agreed to, yeas l48, nays
lO7, the negative votes mostly coming from
the Democratic side.
Consideration of the Seward impeachment
again came up, but was interrupted by re-
port from the Judiciary committee which Mr..
| Butler was prepared to make on the subject of
| Stewards Withholding certain books of his con-
sulate.
Mr.. Springer insisted that the matter before
the House being question of privileges,
should not be thus set aside, and the Speaker
sustained him in that position. Arguments on
the point were made by MIR. Butler and Ba 1ks,
claiming that the question involved in the re-
port was one in regard to the privileges of the
House, and was, therefore, of the highest order
of precedence. Mr.. Butler stated that as the
organ of the judiciary committee to which the
subject had been referred, he had been instruct
ed to report that Seward was justified in re-
tanning those books, and yet the fact of his
retaining them had been made the ground for
one OF the articles of impeachment.
Mr.. Springer said he had been instructed to
| withdraw that article.
Mr.. Hanna suggested the gentleman from
| Illinois could not withdraw it. It was before
the House as report from his committee If
he could withdraw it, then the prosecution was
by Mr. Springer, not by his committee.
Mr.: Banks-This il = charge of violation Of
privileges OF the House, and such question
FRI nf any 0th + AL
member off the floor. 1t il . question of the
highest privilege.
The speaker-Does the gentleman saw that
it can interrupt the question of impeachment
OF the public officer?
Mr.. Banks-I say it unreservedly and un-
questlonably, because it concerns the privi-
leges OF the House and the liberty of the citi-
zen.
Mr.. Garfeld-Here is proceeding begun in
the hrst place to bring party before the
House for contempt. He is under arrest. He
IS logically and technically in our custody.
OF his liberty. While that restraint is still on
MIN q. proposition is made to impeach him.
FIRST, 1t Is question of personal liberty. and
then question of judicial proceeding against
him. The personal liberty feature is the
mgher privilege 1t ought to be heard first.
impeach him. To put him in chains, to strike
MIN when in chains, to say that we will follow
the law of Rhadamanthus, punish and then
near is not American law, is not American
liberty.
Mr.: Sparks Qll.)-Is the man restrained Of
his liberty?
Hr. Garfeld-Yes.
MI. Sparks-I see him sitting in tho diplo-
matte gallery yonder. He looks Free
After further discussion of the point in
which the practices of courts of law were re-
ferred to, the speaker said: The chair does
tn
proceedings as have been cited. The duty of
the CHAIR ID to administer the rules ONLY IF
lett to his own voition the chair would prefer
to 60 at once to the decision of the question
that detains citizen in custody, but the House
has decided to consider the report presented nv
the gentleman from Illinois, Mr.. Springer.
That gentleman is on the floor discussing the
question and the rules do not allow him to be
taken OFT the hoor except in a manner as pro-
vlded by the rules, that is by motion to adj
Journ' entering motion to reconsider or
conference report. The chair, therefore de-
cldes that it not competent now for one COM
mlttee to interfere with report from another
committee when the gentleman who has made
yield.
Mr.. Banks appealed from the decision of the
chair.
After further discussion the appeal was laid
on the table, yeas 125, nays 1O7.
MT. Regan presented the conference report
on the river and harbor bill, and after it was
read ne proceeded to make some explanation.
be submitted that the aggregate amount ap-
proprlated in the bill was about seventeen
millions. 1t also contained a provision to pay
S75O, 900 to Capt. Eads for jetties at the mouth
OF the Mississippi, and made some alterations
IN the terms Of the contract with him requiring
the same depth as the original contract re-
CURED. but not the same width, and also pay
ing him for each foot of depth instead of each
two feet. 1t also contained = provision for
bridge over the Arkansas river at Little Rock,
he was questioned particularly about Eads'
matter, and made long explanation on the
subject.
MIR. Hanna demanded the yeas and nays on
the adoption of the report, remarking that
that was the only mode members had of re-
eording their protests against the bill
The yeas and nays were ordered and taken,
and resulted yeas LOT. nays 62, so the report
was agreed to.
The House then took a reoess fill O d "