The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-03-01

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matter. Mr.. Waddell moved TO concur In It.
The House, by vote of 80 yeas to 157 nays,
non-concurred in the Senate amendment to
the postosace bill for the Brazilian mail sub
sidy.
The House then proceed with the considera-
ton OF the clauses relating to the classification
of mail matter. and pending its consideration
at 1e this evening Sergeant at. Arms
| Thompson appeared at the bar OF the House,
| having In custody George +. Seward.
Mt- Thompson announced that, in obedi-
ence to orders, he had taken Seward In GUS
tody, and had him there present to await the
order OF the House The Speaker, addressing
Seward, who stood In front of the Clerks
/ desk, said he WAS present at the bar of the
House for breach Of the privilege OF the House
! In refusing to answer certain question pro-
pounded by the coEnmittee, and for standing
mute when rendered the oath. 1t was his
duty to ask Seward whether he was ready to
take the oath and to produce the papers and
books called for in the subpoena duces teouna
which was served upon him.
Mr.. Seward said he had prepared an answer
which he would esk the Clerk to read. The
answer sets forth that the respondent Is not
In contempt as alleged. He says he is now
Minister to ChiRa, was some time ago United
States Consul General at Shanghai, and that
certain charges were made against his official
conduct by one Jno. O. Myers. He then re-
lates the circumstances OF his coming to
Washington In obedience to the subpoena of
the committee.
He was asked to produce certain books
and pa apers, with the avowed purpose OF using
them against him in case Of impeachment.
He claims that he is protected by the fifth
article OF the constitution, which protects him
from furnishing information to criminate
himself, and he Is not, therefore, compelled to
comply with the subpoena dLccs tecum. He
has the utmost respect for the House, and
would not willingly infringe any OF it's rules.
He alleges further that the books called for
are his private property. He submits that
he is not In contempt of the House, and asks
TO be discharged from arrest.
The Speaker asked Seward whether he
desired to be understood as declining to pro-
duce the papers and books called for.
Seward replied that he stood here for his
rights as citizen Of the United States and
an officer OF the government. SO long as his
personal enemies were following him UP he
would hold on to all his books and papers and
stand by his rights. When that committee
say that they are done with his prosecutors
they should have his books and papers He
was prepared to produce them on demand Of
the Treasury Department, but he would not
at the instance OF his enemies.
MIR. Springer then offered a resolution de-
claring Seward In contempt because of his
failure to produce the books, and directing
him to be held In custody until he obeys the
subpoena.
Mr. Bundy, Of New York, member OF the
committee, proposed to offer as a substitute
a resolution referring Stewards response to
the Committeeson the Judiciary, with instruc-
should be punished.
Considerable discussion ensued in regard to
the remarks Of Seward as to his being pur-
sued by enemies, In which Messrs. Springer
and Clymer defended the character Of John
G. Myers.
Mr. Springer then demanded the previous
question on his resolution and the Speaker
announced that II that question was voted
down, 1t would then be In order for Mr.
Bundy to offer his resolution.
The House by vote Of 105 to 107 refused to
second the demand for the previous question.
Mr.. Bundy then offered his resolution and Ii
was adopted by a vote OF 112 to 108.
The following Democrats voted forit: Willis
Of New York, Mills Of Texas, Luttrell OF
California, Lynde Of Wisconsin, Culberson of
Texas. Hart of New York, Robbins Of North
Carolina, Manning of Mississippi, Wilson of
West Virginia and Beal of Virginia.
1t was subsequently ordered that the COM
mittee shall report upon the subject to-mor-
row, and that Seward be discharged on his
personal ree0gnizance, subject to future
call OF the committee.
Consideration Of the post Office appropria- |
tion bill was then resumed, and the amend
ment relating to the classification of mail
matter was nOn-eoncurred In, and the House |
ordered conference committee on the dis !
agreeing votes.
The House then, at o'clock, took recess
till 5 80 .. m.
The evening session was for the considera-
tion OF pension bills and bills for the removal
of political disabilities. A large number of
bills were passed, and the House adjourned
at 10 30 n m