The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-30

property, would vote on the silver question.
If, pending action on the sugar schedule, a
be an act of Improperly, but It would not
constitute a crime. III the committee de-
sired TO get at the facts. why dld II NOT not
connected with these charges, lnstead OF
prosecuting newspaper men who had no
obtaned fsom ednden and
But" interjected Mr. Allen, If the qles-
tions asked the newspaper men were fele-
want they should not be exempt from testi-
why call the newspaper men instead of
the men themselves?" retorted Mr. Hill
Mr.. Gray, chairman of the committee,
here Interrupted TO compare the investiga-
tion to coroners inquest and wanted 10
siasment sh9w en M mat % he had heard that one man
had been killed by another could re1use 10
give his authority.
trial in court, legal investigation. he said,
was a different thing from congressional
inquiry. There eye-witnesses were wanted
That is just about what we want said
well. you are going a long way around
the, horn to look for them" retorteo MT.
Hill, with some irony in his tone.
How are we to get them?' asked Mr..
Gray. ,,
pulsively. THAT is the best way"
How are we to tell who the Senator'S
are?' asked Mr.: Allen.
IF you don't know. said Mr. Hiii, with
you have foolishly, as think. entered upon
this investigation, it is your duty to ex-
haust IT,"
Mr.. Hill declared that If a newspaper man
had made a statement reflect
ing, on his honor or integrity,
and should tna go before SS Tsonal ase
edge of the truth of the charge. he tMr.
HID should insist on being the next wit
ness. "As long as you have entered upon
this field of inquiry" said he. "the whole OF
it should be explored. 1 have appealed from
the decision for certain reasons. First, the
newspaper men are from my State, and
represent papers in my State; second, de-
sire to present my views; third, believe
that the Senate is entering upon ground II
ought not to tread upon. and that no good
can come of the prosecution of these news
paper men; fourth, deny the right of the
Vice President to certify those facts to the
district attorney under the statute WITHOUT
affirmative action by the Senate, and, fifth,
] believe that the Senate has no right 10
so further than 1t has gone.p
After some wrangling between Mr. Har-
ris and Mr.. Hill, during which the inter-
change of courtesies was quite acrimonious,
and after Intellectual effort on Mr.. Hill S
part to introduce a resolution declaring that
the questions asked the newspaper men. for
which they were to be held in contempt,
were not pertinent, and that the facts should
not be certified to the district attorney. Mr T:
Harris moved TO table the appeal and IL
was carried without division.
Mr.. Hill then offered another resolution
to the effect that certificatons Of the re-
calcitrancy should not be made TO the dis
trict attorney until the Senate had taken
further action. Mr.. Harris objected, when
Mr.. Hill said he had no objection TO the
resolution going over.
The Vice President said: 'It will go
over" Mr.. Harris said 1t could not so
over because it had not yet been introduced
and could not be, but the Chair did not al
ter the ruling. This ended the discussion.
Senator Gray has prepared and submitted
to the Vice President a warrant directing
the district attorney of the District of CO.
lumbia to proceed against the wisnesses-
Edwards and Schriver-under. the act of
1857. This warrant certiffeS the facts set
forth in the report and is signed b. the
Vice President. Senator Gray had con-
sultation with the Vice President when the
written document was first prese nted TO
him, and explained that 1t was to be issued
when the Senate authorized it.