Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-01
have passed into laws, while there were eight
more to be completed, of which two the forti-
hcations and army bills, were in conference.

have passed into laws, while there were eight
more to be completed, of which two, the forti-
hcations and army bills, were in conference.
posToFF1oE BILL.
Mr.. Blount, of the committee, then reported
which was agreed to, that the Senate amend
ments with two exceptions, the Brazilian sub
slty and the classification of mail matter be
non-concurred in in gross. The committee also
recommend that the two excepted amendments
he non-concurred in also, but desired that they
shonld be voted upon separately and some
time allowed for debate, which was then be-
gun.
After long debate vote was taken on con-
curing on the amendment, and it was rejected,
yeas 80, nays 1877, and it was non-concuried
without further vote.
The next question was in the Senate amend
ment on the Redistribution of mail matter.
After an hours discussion, in which opposition
to the amendment was based on the ground
that it would be giving to the postoffice depart
ment q power of censorship over the press,
everything requiring registration of periodi-
calls was, on motion of the committee, struck
out.
CoNTUMACIOUS SEWARD.
Pending further action the sergeant-at-arms
appeared at the bar of the House having in
custody Geo. F. Seward. Having announced
his presence, tho Speaker, addressing Seward,
said Mr.. Seward, you have been presented at
the bar of the House, under order of the
House, for breach of privileges of the House
in refusing to answer certain questions pro-
pounded to you by a committee of the House.
which questions that committee was author
lied by the House to ask; for standing mute
when rendered an oath as q witness, and for
failing to produce certain books as required by
subpoena duces tecu,1a duly served upon you. It
&c m HI1t ny hxyo &c %h<,
ask whether you are ready to take the oath ten
dered to you by the chairman of the commit
tee, to answer the questions propounded to
you, and to produce the books requested by the
subpoena d,ces tecalna.
MIR. Seward have prepared, with the as
affecting this question, which beg leave to
hand in respectfully, and to request that it may
be read.
The paper, a long legal argument, was read
The pith of it is, that witness is protected by
the sacred guarantee Of the constitution, arti-
Gle Of the amendments. He claims the pro-
lection of that guarantee, -avowing the most
sincere respect for the House and the belief
that his just rights citizen and officer will
not be wilfully or willingly infringed. He ar
gued that the books called for are not public
records, and he therefore submits that he is not
in contempt of the H0use. and that he ought
to be discharged from arrest.
The Speaker to Sew ara-Do you desire to be
understood as declining TO produce the books
you were required to produce, and do you de-
cline to take the oath offered to you?
Mr Seward stand here, MI. Speaker, for
my rights as citizen and as an officer. So
long as persons who are my personal enemies
are pursuing me before this committee shall
hold all the books and papers that now hold.
L speak this with perfect respect and Difference
to the House, but shall stand for all the rights
guaranteed to me by the constitution. want
to say to this House that whenever the commit
tee says that it has done with nv prosecutors it
can have my books, and whenever the treasury
department or State department demands nv
books it shall have them, but not at the in
stance of my enemies.
MIR. Springer thereupon submitted resolu-
ton declaring Mr.. Seward in contempt of the
House.
Mr.: Bundy submitted an amendment refer
ring the matter to the judiciary committee to
report what action should be taken.
Mr.. Luttrell-That is right. Let it 20 to
the judiciary committee. The liberty of cit
izen is at stake.
Mr.. Springer hope the gentleman from
California (LuttreiD will possess himself
There is no heather Chinee'' in this matter,
although it is case coming from China. Mr..
Seward speaks as If the committee was used
for the purpose of allowing his enemies to pur-
sue him. The only witnesses against him were
men Who were or are officers of the government.
Nf. MEYERS Was appointed consul general at
Shanghai by President Grant, and was con-
tirmed by the Senate, and Mr. G.. Wiley Wells
was appointed by the present occupant of the
Presidential Office. There are the two wit
nesses whom Mr.. Seward speaks of as his enc
mics. He has been offered every opportunity
before the committee to have fair hearing.
Mr.. Seward have not had the slightest in
tention of attacking the chairman of the COM
mittee.
After scene of great confusion and uproar
the House refused LUZ to ITO, Mr.. Springer's
motion for the previous question, which would
have cut off a vote on Bundy's substitute and
then proceeded to vote on the substitute. 1t
was agreed to-ayes, 112 nays, 1903. The fol-
lowing Democrats voted with the Republicans
for the substitute: Luttrell, Lynde, Manning.
Mills. Robbins Willis of New York and Wilson
of West Virginia.
MIR. Seward was on motion discharged from
custody on his own recognizance.
THE POSTOFFICE BILL AGAIN.
The remainder of the Senate amendments to
the postoffice appropriation bill were non-con-
CURED in and committee of conference or
dered.
The House then took a recess until 80. The
evening session was confined to the considera-
tion of pension bills and to bills for the removal
of political disabilities.
At half past 10 O clock the House took a re-
cess until 10 O clock tomorrow.