St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-16
GOV. VANCE ENRAGED.
He Uses Some Pretty Strong Lam
guage in Sherman's DanvilIe
Committee.
One of Sherman's Witnesses Called a
Thief, and Utterly Unworthy of
Belief.

John S. Wise appeared before the Danville
committee to-day, and, addressing the chair,
said he represented Col. VIM. E. Sims. Col
Sims had received notice that witnesses were
about to be examined with respect to his per-
sonal character.
Wise read letter from Col. Sims to Sena-
tor Sherman, stating he knew nothing of the
nature of the threatened attacks upon him,
nor did he care, if he was allowed to show
the animus which prompted them. He had
reason to believe the attempt was not for the
purpose of throwing any light on the subject
before the committee, but to blacken his
character by innuendo. He desired, if the
committee saw fit to go outside his character
for veracity, to be allowed to summon wit
nesses touching the moral character OF all
parties, including Senator Vance and Rep
resentatives George G. Cable and Geo. d.
| Wise, who were, he was informed, engaged
| in an attempt to blacken his character.
After reading the letter, Wise said, since
investigation began, he had to some extent
represented the affirmative of the proposition
that there was murder and massacre and out
lawry in Danville, and he honestly believed
it, He therefore wished to say that Sims had
been examined here as to certain statements.
If true, it mattered not what the private char
acter of Sims was, except as to his reputation
for veracity. He gave notice that he would
object to the investigation extending beyond
Sims general reputation for veracitY, unless
the investigation was opened up, in which
case he should assal the reputation for truth
of W. n. Ruffin, and should produce the rec
ords of some of the signers of the Danville
circular.
Senator Wise-"Well, Mr.. Chairman, so
far as the notice is an intimation that my
character is to be assaied, sir''-
Senator Sherman-'I think myself, gov
ernor that this ought not to enter upon the
records, and shall certainly recommend"
SenatorVance-'It is unusual sir, and it is
damnable, and I defy the whole hell-fred
crowd to assail my character here or any
where else. / never heard such a PROPOSE
ton as carrying war into committee and
making war against member of the COM
mittee, who is simply doing his duty as ap-
pointed and required of him by the senate of
which he is a member. 1t is a threat sir,
which despise and defy and condemn"
Senator Sherman said there was no further
necessity for argument. When the ques-
tons were raised by offering testimony, it
would then be time enough to discuss and
decide them. So far as threat to involve
member of the committee personally as to
| his character and conduct was concerned, it
was entirely improper"
| SiuS- 90 Nv ohoracta ic rrnoiOrs tn m
as that of any member of congress. 1t has
been reported as having been said before the
committee that 1 was dishonest man. Now,
if he merely attempts to prove that L have
no objection at all.
| Senator Vance-"I said it Of you with
reference to the proof had.''
Col. Sims, who is partially deaf, was pro-
ceeding when Senator Sherman persuaded
him to stop.
Mrs. G. B. Rawlins of Baltimore was
sworn.
Gov. Vance asked if she was acquainted
with Col. Sims. She replied she had known
him about seven years. She was asked to
state his reputation for truth and veracity.
Senator Sherman SAID he would not con-
sent to turning the investigation into the
channel proposed now, to open up an oppor-
tunity for bringingin personal quarrels with
out direction of the whole committee. If
there was any desire to controvert any of
Col. Sims statement as a witness, he would
have no objection.
Senator Vance said, it had been put in
evidence that Col. Sims was man of good
character and that his defeat in the election
was due to intimidation and violence. 81
propose to PROVE" he continued, ''this man
is thief, that he stole bonds of this witness
on the stand here, and that he is utterly I'M
worthy of belief. He has black mailed the
character of reputable citizens of Danville
and we propose to show who he is"
Wise-''I think it is due Sims that the
proposition to show this man is a thief, and
that he stole the bonds of this lady and that
he is unworthy of belief, should not be al
lowed to go unanswered. Also that Sims
hurls back the insinuation into the teeth of
its author, and at the proper time and proper
place will prove it is falsehood in whole
cloth.n
Senator Vance-sI make this charge, of
course not of my own knowledge, but I
make it with Witnesses here ready to
prove it."
Congressman Cabell and George D. Wise
had now arrived in the committee room, and
in their turn stated with much earnestness
their Willingness to submit to any investiga-
ton which might be proposed respecting
their personal records
Senator Sherman still Directing to the in
PRODUCTION of the testimony proposed, Mrs
Rawlins was excused.
After comparison of views between the
members of the subcommittee, all the wit
nesses in attendance were discharged, and
an adjournment subject to the call of the
nod i, = Il
whether any more witnesses will be subpe-
|