Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1884-04-24
SENATOR VANCE RAMPANT.
Reused to Wrath by a Proposal to 1nves-
tigate His Moral Charcter.

Special Correspondence Of the Sentinel
WAsHINGToN, D. c., April 15.-Con-
gresham John S. Wise appeared to-
day before the committee investiga-
ting the Danville riot, and addressing
the Chair said he represented Col. Will
liam E. Sims.
Col Sims had received notice that
witnesses were about to be examined
with respect to his personal character.
Mr.. Wise read letter from Col. Sims
to Senator Sherman stating he knew
not the nature of the threatening at
tack upon him, nor did he care if he
was allowed to show the animus
which prompted it. He desired, if the
committee saw fit to go outside his
character for variety, to be allowed to
summon witnesses touching the moral
character of all the parties, including
Senator Vance and representatives
George G.. Cabell and George ID. Wise
who were, he was informed, engaged
in attempt to black his character.
Mr.. Wise gave notice that he should
object to the investigation extending
beyond Mr.. Sims's general reputation
for veracy, unless the invesgation was
! opened up, in which case he should
assail the reputation for truth of w.
D. Ruffn and should produce the
records of some of'the signers of the
Danville circular.
Senator Vance-Well, Mr.. Char
man, so far as the notice is an intima-
ton that my character is to be assail-
ed, sir
Senator Sherman think myself,
Governor, that ought not to enter
upon the records, and [ shall certain
| ly recommend
Senator Vance-It is unusual, sir,
and it is damnable and l defy the
whole hell-fred crowd to assail my
character here or anywhere else. [
never heard of such proposition as
carrying the war into the committee
and make war against a member 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 threat, sir, which
[ despise and defy and condemn.
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 them. So
far as the threat to involve member of
the committee personally as to his char
acter and conduct was concerned, it
was entirely improper.
Mr.. Sims-My character is as prec-
ious to me as that of any member of
Congress. 1t has been reported as
having been said before the commit
tee that | was dishonest man. Now,
if he merely attempts to prove that, l
have no objection at all.
Senator Vance, said it of you
with reference to the proof | had.
Col. Sims, who is partially deaf, was
persuaded him to stop.
Mrs. G. B. Rawlins, of Baltimore,
was then sworn and took the stand.
Gov. Vance asked if she was ac-
quainted 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 turning the investigation
into the channel proposed now, to
open upon the opportunity for bring
ing in personal quarrels, without the
direction of the full committee. If
there was any desire to controvert any
of Col. Sims statement as a witness
he would have no objection.
Senator Vance said that it had been
put in evidence that Col. Sims was a
man of good character and that his
defeat in the election was due to in
timidation and violence. Il 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 blackened the characters of repu-
table citizens of Danville and we pro-
pose to show who he is"
Mr.. Wise-I think that it is due to
MIR. Sims that the proposition to show
that this man is a thief, 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
Mr.. Sims hurls back the insinuation
into the teeth of its author and at the
proper time and proper place will
prove that it is a falsehood in the
whole cloth.
Senator vance, make this, of
course, not of my knowledge, but l
make it with witnesses here ready to
prove it.
Congressman Cabell and George D
Wise han now arrived in the com
mitts-room, and in their turn stated
with much earnestness their willingness
to submit to any investigation which
might be proposed respecting theil
personal records.
4 Senator Sherman still objecting te
the introduction of the testimony pro-
posed, Mrs. Rawlins was excused.
At 3 O'Clock, after comparison Of
views between members of the sub
committee, all witnesses in attendance
were discharged and an adjournment
subject to the call of the chairman
was reached. It is not yet decided
whether any more witnesses shall be
.. subpened.