The People, Ex Rel. William McDonald v. . William H. Keeler, as Sheriff

Summary

The Court of Appeals held that New York's statutory power to punish contempt for refusing to attend or be examined as a witness before a legislative committee is constitutional, that the Senate's investigation was a legitimate legislative proceeding, that witnesses before such committees have no constitutional right to counsel, and that the Penal Code does not repeal the statutory contempt provisions; it reversed the General Term's discharge and affirmed the lower court's imprisonment, remanding the relator to the sheriff's custody.