The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-28

put to the witness is that have had witness upon
the stand who states the contents OF those oe-
spatches and there is reason to question the pres
ent witness unless you wish him TO con'radlct that
testimony.
Mr.. Hscock-I shall be extremely grateful when
have established the fact that we are being gov
erned by rules of evidence in this investigation.
Mr.. Reed-I don't think we ought 10 dispute the
quality of the testimony before this committee after
the experience we have had.
Mr.. Springer read the resolution passed in the
House with regard TO cipher dispatches particu-
larly pointing out the clause "and Investigate into
other matters connected with such election"
Mr.. Hscock contended that this resolution referred
to the dispatches that had been published
Mr.. McMahon-I do not agree with Mr. Springer
that authority to investigate all details of the
alleged transaction whatever they may be- That was
something that took place prior to the October el>c-
ton and does not come in any portion OF the scope
the machinery of the election of 1876.
BY Mr.. Reed-what does he meanby machinery
cipher dispatches?
SWEEPING MEANING.
Mr.. McMahon-I mean officers in the Interior De-
partment, officers in Louisiana; mean the army
mean INSCRIPTIONS President. an interruptions
lot OF officers and good many men outside who are
willing to act unscrupnlously.
Mr. Reed-YOu do not seem to be describing any,
thing that existed.
Mr. McMahon-The innocent gentleman from
Maine had nothing to do with these transactions of
course. Let me go In 1876 certain gentlemen
got anxious about their dispatches and they go to
President Orton and ask that certain dispatches
passing between the Attorney General and the
prospective Minister of Mexico shall be destroyed.
that these dispatches were Of political character.
Do the gentlemen think that when go into
the investigation of these cipher dispatches
that are to be satisfied with kilograms
published Iii the New York Tribune They must
think we are children We are not sitting
here to investigate side Of the case but both
sides 1t is pretty well known that this resolution
was offered by this committee at my suggestion be-
cause wanted the democratic party to show to the
is capable of investigating both sides thoroughly,
even though such investigation may hurt its own
yVell fho nj hers id r wan IN halia
that the democratic party will have standing in
this country unless it proves itself equal to do
that, and say publicly that should like both
sides be thoroughly investigated and not conine
proceedings to vindicating smirching Mr..
We want to know whether President orion a
man who might be used for political purposes.
Tyner. Foster, Chandler or anybody else named an
opportunity of making fuller explanation. To deny
this would be the most intense meanncss but we are
entitled to know IL these political kilograms and
part Of the general scheme. want to know If Mr..
Orion gave these kilograms up after receiving the
subpoena of the committee.
Mr.. Reed-It is very proper to ask it as Mr. Orton
is dead.
Mr. Hscock-I have been somewhat critical this
it to that the dispatches that were
to be investigated were the published dis
patches only. The resolution asked for the
investigation of certain dispatches which were pub
lished and were notorious throughout the land. In
somebody has destroyed of the dispatches with
a view to making very plausible and strong argu-
II OeSpatcneS
we should have something as black on you IS YOU
have That seems to be the drift of the
investigation, and therefore it is that nm inclined
to be critical We to investigate published de-
spatches and purge convict those who charged
with crimes and Instantaneous to which they refer.
Mr.. McMahon-The General is taking very narrow
view of it..
Mr.. Hiscock-No sir, am not. Democrats offered
the resolution the House. They did it because
their chieftain had been assaulted and supposed
that 1t was for the purpose of indicating HIM and
also to establish the party in the eyes OF the country
f0fer m inv sti0Qta
had been burned.
Mr.. McMahon-That is. you want to investigate
democratic dispatches only; want to investigate
both republican and democratic.
SAME FARE ALL ROUND.
Mr.. Hscock-No. Since the democrats have in.
vied us to this feast. propose they shall eat the
same fare.
Mr.. McMahon-You do not like the pork and
beans giving you now.
General Butler here returned to the question Of
privilege. and read authorities on the subject 1t
then determined to take vote upon the ques-
ton of whether the witness should be called upon to
answer or not. when all members present voted in
Mr.. Hiscock-Now wish you h& put the other
question. to whether the question which is asked
the witness is pertinent to the inquiry.
PUSHING FORWARD.
vote taken, and 1t was decided that the ex.
animation should proceed.
what he told me- it is my impression and
belief that he brought those kilograms, copies
Of them and read them ont to me. remarkng that it
was an extraordinary case. am unable TO separate
in my mind my remembrances Of what Is in them
from what have heard other witnesses say to-day.
l never saw the kilograms To the best of my belief
they related dirty piece of work in regard to
the sale of Offices for some political ends
Mr. Butler-Nothing you have heard to-day has
refreshed your memory so that you can say an I'M
truthful account has been given OF the kilograms
given by other witnesses?
Mr. Hiscock-I object to this question and ask that
il be ruled II is like putting six witnesses
the stand to testify they did not the man steal
the pork.
vote was taken, and Messrs. Hiscock, Reed and
the chairman voted against the question.
hat hA faCft ha had haQ
was supplementary to his recollection and went be-
You'd it; he did not think the dispatches were cipher
dispatches strictly defined
The Chairman stated that he had received letter
from Mr.. Brady to the effect that he would appear
before the committee next morning.
Mr.. Butler-Suppose Chandler testified that he got
those dispatches from Mr.. Brady in a newspaper
bundle. you would not want Brady?
The Chairman-He might testify entirely different.
and then shall want him.
The Committee then adjourned until eleven o'clock
tomorrow morning.