Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-18
THE PERU.CHILI INVESTIGATION
SICK AND CAN'T COME TILL TuESDAY-A MES sENGER
TO BE SENT TO NEW YORK.

The House committee on foreign affairs met at
10 O'Clock this morning for the purpose OF con-
tinuing the examination of Mr.. Jacob r. Shipherd
relative to the Chili-Peruvian correspondence
Chairman Williams read the following
LETTER FROM Mr.. sHIPHERD.
RICHMOND HILL, L. l., March IL, 1882
Str: All copies Of correspondence called for by
the committee were finished and packed last even
ing and nay tickets were purchased for the limited
ever, as left my office l was Frustrated by very
acute attack OF malarial fever, and nothing like
travelling possible to-day. shall reJoin the COM
mittee {here the members of the committee in
dulged In hearty laugh) the moment my phys
ician win allow me to do so, and my present hope
is that may be able to appear on Tuesday morn
ing. At present am barely able to dictate this
note. am sir. your obedient servant,
By A. 8. l.
Hon. Chds @. Williams.
WHAT THE COMMITTEE THINK OF THE LETTER.
Representative Orth thought it looked like an
evasion OF the process OF the committee.
Representative Belmont thought the committee.
should not accept an excuse in that form.
Representative Orth added: "The letter fS not
even signed by Shpherd. 1t is not accompanied
tachment be issued FOR for him and that he he be ar
rested and brought here"
Representative Rice remarked that this was a
matter OF contempt and the committee must re-
port the matter to the House and ask for bis ar
rest for contempt.
Representative Orth modified his motion to the
effect that the committee report the matter to the
House and ask for compulsory process.
Representative Dunnell thought it rather
was an evasion. Mr.. Shipherd certainly had
right to be attacked with malarial fever If he
wished.
Representative Rice thought perhaps some re-
gard should be paid to the fact that Mr. Shipherd,
while familiar with great enterprises, has not
possibly Is notacquainted with the practice in such
matters. He had certainly spoken very kindly of
the committee. lLaughter.J Perhaps 1t would be
Qnd
deputy Sergeant-at-armS to New York to find out
his actual condition.
structionS should be given to the deputy.
Representative Blount thought Mr.. Sh1pherd
should be required to be here on Monday morning.
IL certainly had the appearance OF desire On the
part OF the witness to trif1e with the committee.
Representative Walker thought Mr.. Shipherd
ought to know, by what he had seen when before
the committee, what would be expected and re-
quired of him, and that his letter was sufficient
excuse for his non-appearance. He was, there
convince him that he must obey the summons Of
the committee or be held in contempt of its pro-
cess.
Representative Wilson thought the witness a
shreWd and astute lawyer, who knew precise
lly what he ought to have done. He ought to
have communicated by telegram, and not allowed
the committee to come together and find neither
witness nor papers. He had certainly failed to
treat the committee with proper courtesy. He was
In IaVor OF sending deputy at once, and upon his
report by telegram that the committee report the
matter for the action of the House.
CudlIu1au Williams SalQ the IHSG occasion we
have to report the matter to the House will be
On Monday. II we send a deputy to New York he
can report to us the exact condition OF Mr.. Ship
herd, and we can then be prepared on Monday to
act authOr1tat1vely.
Representative Dunnell questioned the right OF
the committee to send deputy, and even II they
did he could only act in the capacity OF detect
I've; there was no way in which the expenses Of
such messenger could be audited or paid
MESSENGER TO BE SENT TO NEW YORK TO INvEsTI-
GATE.
After further and preftv penero1 dtccrcc1oD NJ
the best course for the committee to pursue Rep
reSentative Belmont moved that the committee
send a messenger to New York to ascertain the
true facts in the case.
Representative Rice seconded the motion, which
was carried, and the committee adjourned until
1890 O'Clock on Monday.