Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-01-23
READY TO ANSWER.
INTERESTING INTERVIEW WITH HON,
IN. CAMDEN.
He Explains His Position, and is Ready TO
lmpart all Desired Information,

oar readers are doubtless familiar
with the Tact that joint resolution was
introduced in the State Senate and Is
now pending before the House, COM
manding the Sergeant-at-arms to bring
Hon. Johnson y. Camden before the
bar oi the Senate to purge himself OF
contempt. The resolution set forth
that the said J. y. Camden had declined
10 answer certain question propounded
to him by a Legislative committee ap-
pointed to investigate certain discrimi-
nations, etc, in freight charges 10y the
Il. x q. K. K. Co, and was therefore IN
contempt OF said committee. Learning
Yesterday that Mr.. Camden was in the
city, a REGISTER reporter sought his
room at the MyLurc House, and, find
ing the gentleman in, proceeded to
"interyiew him as follows:
"Mr. Camden, came to learn some
thing of interest for publication in. re-
gard L. the matter ni yourself and the
Railroad Committee.
well, hardly know about that. l
am scarcely sure that care about your
saving ANYTHING, but | must protest
against the attitude matters have taken.
| utterly fail tu See where i have com
mittcd any contempt. | have never
been summoned before the committee,
and have never seen II assembled with
majority of it, members. am here IN
Wheeling ready to impart any lnlOrma-
ton desired. Although, ~ / say, | pro
test against their interfering with my
private business, still | am ready To
waive the point and answer their qucs-
tionS. can tell YOU the whole history
uf the matter a. lar aS | am concerned,
in this way: | have never been
summoned To appear and testify
before the committee, but two oil
them were in Farkcrshurg, and one
ufthe gentlemen called at my office aud
asked ii would 90 into an adjoining
office and testify. | at once consented
and accompanied him. Two OF the
committee Senators Johnson and But
lerl were there and were in great haste
tu take the next train. | answered such
questions asked me as were II Il general
nature, but when they asked me To re-
veal aud exhibit my private business
transactions, | declined Tor the time To-
answer the question, and asked time
To- consider, which request was acqui-
csrcd in, and the committee lett.
~ letter wa, afterwards forwarded 10
me in New York from Pdrkcrsburg, and
from the chairman al the committee,
asking me 10 meet them III Wheeling on
"A given day. Thctmu stated had passed
before my return home, think.
rrplied 10 the letter stating that | had
not received it in time Ia attend, but
would lee in Wheeling early in the scs-
sion That bring, ua up 10 the present
time.
Then YOU have never given a final
refusal 10 answer the question, hut Was
granted time To- answer by the Commit
tre?"
THAT is it. | think it is straining a
point 10 consider me in contempt"
"pn YOU think the Committee exceed
Ell its power in pressing this question
upon YOU
Il still think that it Is not the pro-
vince uf th- Committee To- inquire INTO
nv private business affairs | think 1t
am infringement un the rights oi the III
diVidual, and il permitted IN one III
stance il might be- difficult To- tiN the
limit al which it shall end make this
point on principle, believing it tn be
right du not src a. matter ui prin-
riplr. why the private statistics Ot my
business should be made public for the
benefit ~ the curious or ut COMPLETING
interests in Pennsylvania aud Ohio.
"rhr same question was before a
Committee at Congress two years ago.
The President ui the railroad and ship
urrS summoned declined To- answer the
question. AMI the Congressional Com
mittrr refused L. insist upun the an
Swrrs t. idrutically the same qucs-
tluns.'
We'll. Mr.. Camden, have You any
thing in relation To that question that
v0u wish tu keep back Or why dId
YOU hesitate Ia answer IT
"Nimply because, ~ | SAID before, |
doubt the rights ui the Committee.
have nothing, whatever, To- conceal orto
desire hidden, but | still think it AN
infringement upon the right "i a citi-
zen
"Nou Nay You are here nov to an
Swrr?
IL am here tD answer L. the senate OF
IT,, committee, and a, the matter has
assumed undue Importance would pre-
fer L. testify before the committee. They
may think there Is cat in the meal
tub. whereas there is uu cat at all w.
Thj, ended an interview, conducted
upon the part ut Mr. Camden With the
utmost courtesy, aud thanking him, the
reporter Withdrew.
CADIZ, -.
n