WILLIAM F. BAGGETT.
Mr. JENKINSON desired to submit a resolution for the arrest of William F. Baggett for contempt of this House, in refusing to appear and testify before the committee to investigate the Northern State prison.
The SPEAKER. That, would be rather a summary proceeding.
Mr. HEFFREN. There was no evidence of contempt. The committee should report that fact first.
The SPEAKER. The gentleman from Allen, as chairman of the committee, could make his report.
Mr. JENKINSON subsequently, as chairman of the Select Committee on the Northern State Prison, reported that Wm. F. Bagget is in contempt of the House, in refusing to appear as a witness before said committee, and asking for the Speaker's warrant to arrest him.
Mr. ROBERTS said Mr. Baggett had a good excuse for his non-attendance. He thought the witness would be here on Monday.
Mr. SHERMAN understood that the matter proposed to be proved by the witness to be sent for had been proved before the committee over and over again. It seemed to him that the object of this proceeding was to delay the action of the committee. He hoped that if a resolution were offered to send for this witness, it would not be adopted.
Mr. JENKINSON said that one of the contractors did not want this witness to appear. There were $3,000 involved, about which Baggett could testify. He submitted a resolution, That the Speaker of the House be directed to issue his warrant to the Sergeant-at-arms to bring the said Wm. F. Baggett before this House for contempt to be returned forthwith.
The order was adopted by consent.
On motion of Mr. BRANHAM, his bill [283] providing for the payment of $10,075 State's interest, due Jan. 1, 1861, was considered and passed the second reading; and (the rules being suspended for the purpose) it was considered as engrossed, and passed the third reading of the House-yeas 82, nays 0.
