Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-02-17
WAsHINuTUNNEwS AND GOSSIP

the question, since the remarkable revelations
embraced in the speech of Senator Houston in
advocating the enactment Of his bill for the
consolidation of the two United States judicial
districts of Texas; which embraced, it will be
remembered, an additional and stupendous
exposure Of valid reasons why the conduct of
Judge W. should have been investigated by
the only tribunal that can lawfully try him,
under the law and constitution. The Texas
papers come to US full of upbraidings against
the action Of the House in the case, and We
can but regret inability to devote sufficient
space to the subject in which to spread their
comments on the course of the House in the
premises before tho House itself. That every
particle Of popular confidence in the court Of
Judge Watrous has departed from Texss, il
very evident. That is not wonderful, when
upon an array Of testimony such as was per.
haps never before exhibited in such q case,
Senator Houston felt himself called on to say
from bis seat in the Senste,) Of Judge Wat
rous and the combination in which he and his
court were alleged to be engaged
The objects about which this combination was
employed have been shown to have been Of the
most comprehensive and varied character. But
more convincing proofs OF guilt, or displayed
more numerous and more ingenious varieties Of
transgression than that written in the history Of
the w atrous conspiracy.
Every object that cuPidity could devise, or that
fraud could suggest, seems to have been en-
braced In the designs Of this stupendous CON-
pany.
1t twas its object to plumber the public domain
OF Texas, to seize upon it by fraud and forgery,
aud to fasten upon whole communities the most
anoaclous frauds ever sought to be practiced
upon State or people.
1t was It's object to deal In fraudulent certia
cafes, and TO sustain these dealings by corrupting
and seducing the courts, thus adding crime to
crime 1t has been seen that the most open prop
oSltions OF corruption were made, and the traffic
was carried on with the direct countenance and
assistance Of Judge Watrous, whose agent ex-
piored the bar-rooms and groggeries OF the State
for customers.
II was It's object to conceal their operations,
ana especially TO remove them from the action Of
Texas Juries. For this service il has been shown
now the machinery Of Judge Watrous's court
was employed, and how In that court, the great
suit OF Phalen agt Herman seeking to subStan-
tlate these worthless certificates, was instituted
ana removed out Of the State in less than seventy
TWO hours, and that done ont Of term-time
1t was his object TO plumber private properly.
ana TO secure TO its mbers vast bodies of lands
IN Texas and to despoil the settlers Of their lust
ana haTd-earned rights.
IL was its object to acquire interests i'm land
within the Jurisdiction of Judge watrous,s
court; 10 further these spsculations by the cor
use OF that court and through its protection
10 escape responsibility to Texas juries
IL was It's object to have the Federal court alb
soiateiy subseTvieDt to its designs and for this
purpose servie juries were sought to be selected,
from jury duty citizens of four counties which
counties embraced the chief portion OF the com
Pany's known field Of operations
II was lts object to impose upon the courts a
Forged muniment OF title to a vast estate, and to
sustain the forgery by peIjured and purchased
testimony. The whole history Of the forged
power OF attorney is overwhelming in its evil
dence OF the black and redoubled crime of Judge
Watrous and his confederates, In seeking to sus-
tain forgery Of the most monstrous description,
oy devices Of fraud, by holder acts Of bribery,
ana' at last, by direct subornation Of perjury.
1t was Its object to betray suitors in Judge
w atrouss court, by collision between the court
and counsel, and between opposite counsel, and
TO divide ont among themselves the gains.
IL was its object to oppose all unfriendly par
ties who attempted to sue In the Federal court,
and, through the favor of this Judge, to practice
revenge upon them, to strip them Of their rights,
All these stupendcus and vile objects w, re
sought to be accomplished through the sub
serviency Of Judge Watrous's court and by the
aid OF the corrupt appliances he p ssessed. The
whole conspiracy centered in him; and for the
sum OF all its wrongful acts he Is to be held re-
sponsible.
SENATOR THoMPsoS's SPEEcH.-The speech
Of this gentleman in the Senate yesterday on
humorous and witty efforts that we have ever
listened to from any member of that BODY.
His similtudes were frequent and of q UNIQUE
order, sufhcing to keep his auditors in a con.
slant roar Of laughter by their quaint original
ity. The galleries OF the Senate chamber vere
crowded during its delivery, and the greatest
interest was manifested by the listeners, es is
usual On the delivery of a constant stream Ct
keen and brilliant witticisms. We question
whether any other speech on the same side of
this question will produce equal effect, how.
ever much more argumentative they may be-
That 1t will be generally sought after and
eagerly read, there can be no doubt.
The GOLD SPooy ERA ATTEMPTED TO BE
KEvIvED.-The opposition newspapers are
evidently bent on re-enacting their system of
party tactics which distinguished the era of
the Charley gle-gold.spoon. stories Thus
their Inventive genius is just now directed to
the work of getting up and circulating accusa-
tions against the Administration and the Dem
ocratic party faster than they can be answered
or explained away. Those of them in this city
engaged in this business, content themselves
for the most part, with sending of bogus ao
counts OF the proceedings before the yarious
investigating committees Of the House now in
session. The members Of these various COM
mittees are under an obligation of secrecy-an
obligation of honor. Yet letter writer's op-
posed to the Democratic party manage to pro.
cure daily lying accounts Of alleged testimony
rendered before those committees, with lust
enough truth in them to make it apparent that
their versions were designed wholly to tho end
OF deceiving the public in the premises. We
presume that at least hundred such stories
concerning alleged testimony before the com.
mittee, of which Mr.. Sherman is the chairman,
have been published in different parts of the
country in the course of the last month.
not single one of which is true. The point
OF interest in their publication is simply its
Illustration OF two facts-frst, that some of the
opposition members on those committees must
be deliberately violating the pledge of per-
eonal honor under which thew nom;na,Iv ,o.,