The morning times., 1895-12-05
WOULD nav { HElPEDDEBS
Senator Voorhees, Introduces a
Bill Defining Contempt Of Court.
RIGHT TO APPEAL GRANTED
Can BE Carried to the United States
Supreme COurt-Judge Must Keen
Copy of the Contempt Charge.
His Decision Can Never Be Final
The Punishment Limited.

There will be an appeal In contempt
cases, il bill presented BY Senator Yoor-
hees, yesterday, becomes a law. Had 1t
been law, Debs' appeal would have come
TO the Supreme Court.
1t is more than probable that the action
of u United States judge In the Debs
case caused the introduction of the bill.
II was referred to the proper committee.
The bill defines contenipts in the United
States courts and provides for their pun
lshmeEt. Contempts are defined as com
mitting felonies ar inisdemeanors in any
United States coart of record talking or
moving about refusing TO TESTIFY as a
witness, or being guilty nl wilIui dls-
obedience NJ any court The punishment Is
by fine or Imprisonment, the fine must not
exceed $500 and the Imprisonment must
not be for more than three months
DEFINING HIS RIGHTS.
The bill also provides that when a person
shall be arraigned for a direct contempt
in any court Of record OF the United States.
no affidavit, charge in writing ur COM
plant snail be required to be flied against
him, but the court shall distinctly state the
conduct which IL alleged To constitute suvh
contempt.
Such statement must be reduced to writing
by the Judge or a repnrter authorized by
him to take it down when made. 1t shall
be set forth j n,he order OF the court. to-
gether with any explanation, extenuatlun
or denial which the defendant may make
II found guilty the defendant shall have
the right TO except 10 the opinion and
Judgment OF the court. In case OF f1ne
or Imprisonment the defendant shall have
the right, either before or after the pay
ment of such fine or undergoing such m
prisonment, to move the court to rccon-
slider its opinion aud Judgment. The same
can be done on the afndavit or persons
present.
Upon such affidayits and the original
statement OF the Judge the defendant can
Judgment against him: and If tie court
SHAH overrufe such motion. the defendant
may except and file a bill OF exceptions, as
in other civil actions, and IN all cases an
appeal shall lie tbereupon 10 the Supreme
Court uf the United States.
Other bills were Introduced as follows:
By Mr.. Lodge, by request; Appropriatlng
100000 to any person, who within the
next five years shall demonstrate the
practicabiliiy OF safely navigating the
air at speed OF not less than thirty
miles an hour, with weight OF eoo
BY Mr. Mcmillan: His bill of last session
to establish in the department of justice
bureau for the Identification OF criminals.
By Sfr. Hale: The bin introduced in the
last Congress by Mr.. Butler for the reorgani-
zation and increase of the efficiency Of the
personnel OF the Navy and NJ airline Corps
of the United States.
By Mr.. Pcffer: Providing for the cstaD-
iishDent of postal savings Repositories.
TO be operated under pian contemplating
the sale OF adhesive stamps OF various
values, re1eeIDabe out of a FUND set apart
by the postmaster general for that purpose.
Deposits are to lie free from taxation and
bear interest at the rate of per cent.
IL outstanding six months or more
By Mr.. VOORHEES,: Making the minimum
pension for disability, or To WIDOWS of
soldiers, under the law OF 1880, twelve
dollars per month.
By Mr.. Baker: Amending the civil serv
ice act toy giving preference in appoint
ments aud promotions under that AIT to
those who have served five years in the
Army, Navy and Marine Corps.