Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-05-31
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, May 29.-The Demo
cratic members of the House held
conference this morning, and after
general discussion of the present
situation, it was proposed tha' d
managing committee of five mem,
bers be appointed to condnct the
contest on the part OF the minority
This proposition was met with the
suooestion that the ge tlemen who
have been acting as leaders of the
minority be requested to continue IN
that capacity. 1t was then unani-
mousIy agreed that Messrs Randall,
BlsckburD, Carlisle, Kenna and
Atherton should manage the contest.
Further agreement was reached to
the effect that if The Speaker should
make arbitrary rulings for the pur-
pose of forcing the minority to sub
NIT to the will OF the majority i'll the
pending contest, that another con-
ference should be held, to determine
the course to be pursued by the
Democratic m mbers.
In the Criminal Court to~day, af-
ter argument, Judge "ylie overs
ruled the motion to qnash the indict
ment # Turner, and MIR. Wilson
noted an exception.
Mr.. Cole then read the affidavit of
Reidell, alleging that he absolutely
knew of misconduct of the grand
jury. Judge Wylie manifested the
greatest indignation as the reading
proceeded, and interrupted Mr.. Cole
to say to his own knowledge it was
wholly untrue. ''If that paper is
fled,.I give you warning, I will di>
rect Mr.. neidell to be prosecuted for
perjury" said the court.
Mr.. Cole endeavored to explain
that it was perhaps his fault, lnas-
much as he drew up the affidavit,
and Mr.. Reidell perused it in hur-
ry. perhaps he was swearing to
his belief, and not his knowledge"
said Mr.. Cole, but the paper had
already been filed and the court re-
fused to allow its wi thdrawal, lesv>
ing the defendants counsel much
disturbed.
The court then asked if there were
any further motions, Because" said
he, ''If there are, l over rule them. >"
The court then pail a high compl =
ment to the grand jury, and Mr.. Mer
rick asked that the defendants he
called upon to plead, and the court
ordered them to stand upin body and
plead. Pleas of not guilty were en-
tered by all the defendents. A mum
ber of other motions were made and
overruled. The court set Thursday
as the day for the trials to begin.
The President to day sent to the
Senate the name of Pay Inspector
Joseph A. Smith to be chief OF the
bureau OF provisions and clothing
and paymaster-general of the Navy,
with the rank of commodore.
The Senate in executive session,
confirmed the nomination Of LELAND
@. Bacon as consul at Savanna.
The special committee appointed
by the Senate to investigate the allie
cation that money has been raised
or expended by parties interested to
influence legislation upon the
bonded spirits question met soon
after II o'clock Col. Wharton,
counsel for the Kentucky distillers,
Major ". Fl. Thomas, of Louisville,
aud Mr.. Stagg, Of st. Louis, were in
attendance.
Major Thomas was then sworn,
and III response to questions by the
chairman detailed, at some length,
the proce sses in use in Kentucky in
the manufacture of whisky, and also
the methods employed in making
high wines, and explained the ditfer-
ence i'll the products of the two
modes OF manufacture.
The examination of Mr.. Thomas
which followed, failed to show the
use of any improper influences to
secure legislation upon the bonded
spirits bill, and was mainly directed
to an inquiry into the status of the
liquor interest and the effect of the
pending bill relative to bonded
spirits.