The Evening critic., 1882-03-18
PARALYZED.
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS,

Investigating Mr. Shepherds Guano
scheme. All Brokc Up by the Fall
urc of That Unctuous Gentleman
10 Appear To-day-He Is Mysteri-
ousIy seized with Fevcr-sIc is iu
Contempt Unless He is Sure Enough
Sick and simply "WhentOning it
Capitol Notes.
The members of the House Foreign Affairs
Committee toiled up Capitol HUI to-day
through the disagreeable weather, and pro.
ceedng TO their committee-room, were cooked
and prlmed for opening up the examination
Of J. h. shipherd, but unfortunately, or, per-
haps, otherwise,
Shiphcrd Was Not There.
This created a general surprise, and some
Questions were asked. Chairman Williams
had read the following setter from Mr.. ship.
herd. It was postmarked "New York City
March II, IL $50 p. M:
RICHMOND HILL, L. L., March II, 1882.
SIR: All copies OF correspondence called for
by the committee are finished and packed last
the limited express of this morning. Almost
as soon, however, as left my
attack OF malarial fever and nothing like
travelling la possible to-day. shall reloin the
committee the moment my physician viii
allow me to do so, and my present hope Is that
ing. At present, am hardly able to dictate
this note.
am, sir, your obcdient servant,
]. II. SuIPHERD,
per l.. A.
Hon. Chas. q. Williams, Chairman Foreign
Affairs Committee.
The reading of tho letter created n sensa-
ton. While the members were willing not to
accept anything as conclusive they were IN
clined to consider the proceeding peculiar
fact that the letter was not
signed by Mr.. Shipherd himself; that 1t was
not sworn to and not accompanied by peysl-
clans certificate. 1t was more apparently
singular from the fact that Mr.. Shipherd,
being lawyer, should have known that the
excuse was not proper evidence aud that he
| ought to have telegraphed yesterday instead
| CT having waited to send letter.
After discussion motion was adopted
| To Dispatch the Scrgeant-at-Arms to
New York
| 10 make the proper inquiry and TO report 10
the full meeting of the committee next Mon
| day morning at IL O'Clock, to which day and
| hour the committee then adjourned.
Should Shipherd not appear on Monday, nor
| q reasonable excuse be forthcoming
The Committee Will Declare Him
| in Contempt,
and in the the House a resolution for his ar
| rest and appearance VIII be introduced.
The Reagan Bill.
The hearing of Mr.. Fink on the Reagan bill
was concluded before the House Commerc,
| Committee to-day. Mr.. Reagan having occa
| sion before its conclusion, IN ask some very
pertinent questions. Judge Reagan vii
address the committee in favor of the bill
before the committee commences the real dis
section of it. John DePew and Governo
Brown are expected to close the argument n
| behalf Of the railroads on next Saturday. s.
far Judge Reagan has no aid in defence of tn
bill. He viii sling the cleayer alone, 1t ap
pears.
District in Congress.
| Professor Spencer f. Raird has addressed
letter TO the House Appropriation COMMITTEES
asking for an appropriation of $4,000 70
continuing and completing the flre-roohng 0
the Smithsonian Institution. Professor Bair
accompanies his letter with q report of tn
Secretary OF the District Fire Commissioners
which states that he has examined that poi
| tion of the Smithsonian building referred tC
| and states the Interior is entirely of wood an
| lily arranged, making IL especially unsafe an
| liable to accident from fire, and that all tn
| records and valuable documents belonging I
the institution are stored in that part of tn
| building.
The subcommittee of the District Committe
| having in charge the bill for the increase
the water supply Of the District is waiting 70
the report and estimates to be printed befor
| considering the bill. 1t seems that the figure
submitted at the time the bill was presente
were incorrect, and although they wer
printed, had to be returned 10 the Governmer