National Republican., 1884-04-16
CROSS INNUENDOES.
Gov. Vance ResentS an InSnuatiOn and DefeS
"tho Whole Hell-Fired Crowd"
His Proposition TO Prove That Col. Sims
Is Il Thief" Hurled Back In His Teeth.'

Thomas Z. Blakey, of Tappahannock, Va,
was tho first witness examined by the Sherman
subcommittee yesterday. He described the
approach of q company Of coalition voters,
numbering about 100 men, marshaled by mon
who were armed with ssbors. They were
organized in parties of ton, They had pos
session of the polls for an hour while they
were voting There was no violence. lie
described at great length tho experience of Q
cOlored democrat, who was assaulted as he
went to the polls and threatened as he left
after voting.
The committee at 1890 took a recess until
1880 Upon roassembling Congressman John
$. Wise appeared, and, addressing the chair
said he represented Col. VIM. Il. Sims Col
Sims had received notice that witnesses were
about to be examined with respect TO his per
sonal character. Mr.. Wise read letter from
Col. Sims to Senator Sherman stating that he
knew not the nature Of the threatened attack
upon him, nor did he care, If he was allowed
to show the animus which prompted them
He had reason to believe that the attempt
was not for the purpose of throwing any
light on the subject before the committee
but to blacken his character by innuondo
lie desired ii the committee saw fit to 90
beyond his character for veracity, to bo al.
lowed to summon witnesses touching the
moral character of all the parties including
Senator Vance and Representatives Geo. c,
Cabell and Geo. ID. Wise, who were, he was
informed, engaged in on attempt to blacken
his character.
After reading tho letter Mr. Wise said that
since the investigation began he had to some
extent represented the affirmative tho propo-
sition that there was murder and massacre
and Outawry in Danville.-and he honestly
believed it. He therefore wished TO say that
Mr. Sims had been examined hero as to
certain statements. If true it mattered not
what the private character of MIR. Sims was
except as to his reputation for veracity. He
gave notice that he should object to tho in
vcstiEation extending beyond Mr. simss
general reputation for veracity unless the
investigation was opened up, in which case
ne should assail the reputation for truth of
w. n. Ruffin, and should produce the records
of some of the signers of the Danville Cir
cular.
well, Mr.. Chairman" said Senator Vance,
$50 fur as the notice is an intimation that
my character is to be assailed, sir"
Il think myself, governor" replied Sena-
tor Sherman, that that ought not TO enter
upon the records, and l shall certainly recon-
mend"
1T is unusual, sir" interrupted Senator
| Vance, "Hnd it is damuable, and l defy the
whole hell-ired crowd to assaii my character
here or anywhere else; l never heard Of such
q proposition as carrying the war into the
committee, and making war against men,
Der of the committee who is simply doing his
duty as appointed and required of him by
the senate of which he is a member. 1t is a
threat, sir, which despise and defy and con-
TENN"
Senator Sherman said there was no further
necessity for argument. When questions
were raised by the Offering of testimony it
would then be time enough to discuss and
decide than Sn far n the thrpat In inval q
a member of tho committee personally as to
his character and conduct was concerned il
was entirely improper.
my character" said Col. Sims, "is as
precious to me as that of any member of
congress- 1t has been reported as having
been said before the committee that was a
! dishonest man. Now, If he merely attempts
to prove that, have no objection at all"
Il said it of you with reference to the proof
l had" replied Senator Vance.
| Col. Sims, who is partially deaf, was pro-
ceeding, when Senator Sherman persuaded
him to stop.
Mr.. Berkeley, one of the democratic counsel
from Danville, wished to address the conf
| mittee, but Senator Hoar, who temporarily
occupied the place of Senator Lapham, OBJ
iected, and moved that the taking of testimon y
be resumed.
Mrs. G. B. Rawlins, of Baltimore, was t hen
sworn and took the stand.
Gov. Vance asked if she was acquainted
with Col. Sims. She replied that she had
known him for about seven years She was
asked to state what his reputation was for
truth and veracity.
Senator Sherman said that he would not
consent to turning the investigation into the
channel proposed now-to open up the op.
portunity for bringing in personal quarrels-
without the direction of the full committee
If there was any desire to controvert any of
- aan ..an n 4
have no objection.
! Senator Vance said that 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. i
propose to prove" he continued, "that this
man is thief that he stole the bonds Of this
witness on the stand here, and that he is
utterly unworthy of belief. He has black
| ened the character of reputable citizens OF
Danville, and we propose to show who he is.'
~ think" replied Mr.. Wise, "that it il
due to Mr.. Sims that the proposition to show
that this man Is thief; that he stole the
bonds of this lady, and that he is unworthy
of belief, should not be allowed to go unan
swered. Also that Mr.. Sims hurls back the
insnuation into the teeth of its author, and
at the proper time and proper place will
prove that it 10 falsehood in the whole
CLOTH"
~ make this, of COURSE" said Senator
Vance, mot of my own knowledge, but
make it with witnesses here ready to prove
it,"
Congressman Cabell and George d. Wise
had now arrived in the committee room and il
their turn stated with much earnestness theil
willingness to submit to any investigation
which might be proposed respecting thei
personal record. Senator Sherman still OBJ
jecting to the introduction of tho testimony
proposed, Mrs. Rawlns was excused. Mr.
John A, Parker, Of Tappahannock, Esse1
county, Va, was called and described al
unimportant episode. At o'clock, after
comparison of views between members Of thu
subcommittee, all Witnesses in attendance
were discharged, aud an adjournment, sub
ject to tho call Of the chairman, was reached
1t is not yet decided whether any more wit
| uaaaaa shall ba aubnfnnaad