Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-02-28

leans, paid tine tributes to the integrity of the
speaker, and secuted the charges as unworthy
of serious investigation. Mr.. Randall, how.
ever, insisted that formal inquiry and report
was due to him and to the country and there
| fore, by unanimous vote, committee was
granted.
VENTILATION.
A report in reference to the ventilation OF
the hall of the House discussed for two
hours, and was finally adopted, with various
amendments, and the following commissioner
were appointed to carry out the provisions OF
the report, and to serve without compensation:
Prof. Baird, Smithsonian institute; Clark,
architect of the capitol; Sherman, civil engineer
OF the treasury department; Surgeon Billings
of the army, and Representatives Hewitt, N. Y
Butler, Loring and Jones, N. Fl. Thirty thou
sand dollars was appropriated.
THE TOBACCO BILL.
The conference report amendments to
the tobacco bill was agreed to-147 to III. The
tax on matches remains now.
LEAVE TO PRINT.
Mr.. Durham, chairman of the committee on
expenditures in the department of Justice
asked and obtained leave to have printed and
ommitted the report of that committee in
regard to the abolition of the supervisors OF
election.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION.
MIR. Blackburn rose to a personal explanation,
and sent to the clerks desk and bal read an ex.
tract from the San Francisco Chronicle, to the
effect that he (Blackburn) had been the cause
Of delaying the passage OF the anti-Chinese
bill, by refusal to accord it precedence over
some Insignificant legislation. He simply de-
sired to say that the charge was utterly without
foundation. He had on every occasion sup
ported the bill and furthered its passage, and
he had never heard objection to its consid-
Grafton coming from his side of the hall.
Mr.. Conger objected to having interjected
into personal explanation reflection on
members of his side.
no reflection upon anybody, but he would be
glad to have the gentleman from Michigan con-
trovert his statement.
Mr.. Springer rose to a question of privilege
and desired to call up the resolutions reported
from the committee on expenditures in the
State department, for the arrest of George f.
Seward as a contumacious witness.
Mr.. Hale raised the question of considera-
ton. On a vote by teliers the House refused
to consider thu question now.
Mr.. Turner, member of the committee on ex-
penditures in the State department, demanded
the yeas and nays, and when Mr.. Whyte, Pa,
suggested that he withdraw the call, Mr.. Tur-
ner gesticulated angrily and in an excited man
ner insisted on the yeas and nays. The scene
was noisy and tumultous one, without ap-
parent reason for it. The yeas and nays were
ordered and resulted, yeas 1872, nays III, so the
House voted to consider the subject now.
Mr.. Carlisle, speaker pro tenn. announced the
appointment of Messrs. Chandler, Lynde
Throckmorton Frye and Monroe as the select
committee authorized under the resolution
offered to-day by Mr.. Randall.
MIR. Springer moved the previous question on
the resolution to have Geo. F. Seward brought
before the bar of the House. The previous
question was seconded and the main question
ordered, thus leaving an hour for debate. Dis
cussion was opened by Mr.. Springer, chairman
OF the committee expenditures in the state
department. who stated that the question in
volved was whether public officer can be re-
quired to produce the records of his Office
In refusing to produce the books called for in
the subpoena duces tecum, but in refusing
even to be sworn as a witness.
MIR. Bundy, member of the committee
contended that Seward was not in contempt,
and that under the fifth article of the constitu-
tuition no person could be expected to supply
evidence against himself. The committee had
evidence before it from the state department
showing that every dollar belonging to the
government which had been received by Sew
ard had been accounted for, and that every
book prescribed by the department to be kept
d. ent consulate uOu DeeA returned TO the de-
partmeDt.
After considerable discussion the first vote
was taken on the resolution offered by the mi
norlty of the committee to the effect that Sew
ard was justified in his refusal. It was reject
ed-yeas 1l9, nays l42-a party vote.
The question then required on the majority
resolution directing the sergeant-at-arms to ar
rest George F. Seward forthwith and to bring
him before the bar of the House.
Mr, Conger iuterposed q motion to ia Ia a
recess, and the yeas and nays were called on it.
During the roll call negotiations for compro-
mise were being carried on the basis of let
ting the resolution be adopted and not deliver
ing the warrant to the sergeant-at-arms till to-
morrow. The negotiations, however, were not
successful. The motion for recess was rejected.
and then the House was brought to a vote on
the resolution. The Republicans at first de-
clined to vote, but twenty-four of them de-
cined to join in this obstructive policy. There
was still, however, quorum.
Mr.. Springer stated that there was no inten-
ton to do any injustice to Seward, and that if
the resolutions were adopted the warrant would
not be delivered to the sergeant-at-arms till to-
morrow.
Mr., Conger said that he did not know that
the gentleman from Illinois (Springer) had
control of such things.
MIR. Springer replied that he would take the
responsibility of giving that assurance.
The vote was again taken and the resolution
was adopted-yeas los; nays A.
a session was ordered for tomorrow evening
for business of the committee of public lands.
The House then took a recess the evening ses-
sion to be for reports from the committee on
ways and means.