New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-19
sHIPHERD AGAIN A DISAPPOINTMENT.

BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRlBUNb'l
! WASHINGTON, March 1S.-The members of the
| House Committee FOREIGN Affairs made their
way to the Capitol through the rain this morning,
! expecting to hear the long-drlayed testimony Of
Jacob r. Shipherd Instead Of this, they were pre-
sened by Mr. Williams, the chairman, with letter
! from Mr. Shipherd at Richmond Hill, l.. l., March
! II. ~ follows:
Ali copies Of correspondence called for by the com
mittce finished and packed last evening, aud ny
morning Almost as soon, however, lcft my ofc;
fever. and nothing Ike travelling possible to-day
shall rcUin the committee the moment my physician
viii allow me TO DO So and my present hope |, ta
1 ain barely able to dictate this note
The members of the committee listened to the
reading with smiles Of amusement, and there was
general laugh when Mr. Shepherds highly sociable
desire to "reoin" the committee was stated. When
the reading was concluded Mr. Wilson, of West
Virginia, said, in a tone of mock impressiveness
Meantime, Mr.. Chairman, God save the Common
wealth" At this there was another laugh. An anr-
mated discussion of more than half an hour followed
upon the course to be taken toward Mr.. Shlpherd
MI Orth, Mr. Belmont and others argued that tho
letter was as the writer must have known. an
utterly insufficient excuse for his non-sttendance
II was not accompanied by any certificate from
physician, or any affidavit any evidence going to
show that its statements were true and there was
evidently o suspicion the part OF tho members OF
the committee that the witness was trifing with
them
The letter showed that the alleged attack Of sick
ness came Thursday evening, thirty-six hours be-
fore the meeting Of the committee and yet Shipherd
had made attempt to notify his probable absence
to them by telegraph. Mr.. Orth and others wanted
the case reported to the House for its action, but
this was deprecated by several members who, while
1, Col q hr hiph
thought there was not sufficient proof to make out
a case Of contempt
Mr.. Williams suggested that a deputy sergeant
alarms be sent TO New-York to ascertain tho acts
regarding Mr. Shepherds alleged illness and report
by telegraph. Mr.. Walker of Pennsylvania, made
a pertinent and sensible inquiry as to what
means such messenger could employ or
what r sbpbcTG G TGR@ Mat rcay hiyG Sick Or no
and Mr. Dunuel declared that there was no legal
way Of paying such messengers expenses Inc
proposlto finally adopted, however:
The discussion revealed curious lack or lnlOrIna-
ton among some of the members regarding SO familiar
a proceeding as one fer contempt. one member asked
his mind that Mr. Shiphcrd was able to como, he
would have the power to bring him. Another
wanted to know whether attachments were Issued
by personal direction Of the Speaker These mem
bcrs we're told that attachments for 0nieinpt were
ordered under the law BY vote OF tAH h'uS " 'cP
resen ,atlve5.
To n TRIBUNE reporter, who found him at
home last evening shipherd said respecting his III
ness; II was brought about by my desire to obge ~"
committee For the past eight months have been doing
four mems work. and my head has been FIJI OF this mat
ter In my anxiety tp hurry thing' came over from
Washington ut night. when arrived IN Newfork I
went TO the office in Spruce-st, and after working
most arducusly with tho assistance OF four
clerks had secured the necessary cnrrospondehCe,
boycd IN up for shipment, and had even enrei to the
ferry on NV way back TO WoshrItOn when was taken
wifi IN Oh complaint and nearly fell In the street !
Immediately came home and sent for DR.. Bc.den' or
Jlmaica md hc toll me that | had liberated sore
Trt and mnst not move about until was better.
was SO M cjud scarcely dictate the letter to the Com
mlfter aud could sign Il. II am permitted by my
phvsician | shall 60 20 Washington Monday On the