Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-16
VANCE AND SIMS AT WAR.
The DanvilIe Investigation EnIiyened
by Epithets.

WASHINGTON, April 15.-Thomas E.
Blakey, Of Tappahannock, Va. was the
hrst witness examined by the sherman
subcommittee to-day.
He described the approach Of a company OF
Coalition voters numbering about 100 men
marshaled by men who were armed with
sdDres, IheY were organized IN parties OF
ten. They had possession of the polls for an
hour. While they were voting there was no
violence, He described at great length the
experience OF the cOlOred Democrat who was
assaulted as he went to the polls and threat
ened as he left after voting. \ recess was
then taken till 80 O'Clock. Upon reassemb-
ling Congressman John S.Wise appeared, and
addressing the Chair. said that he represented
Col. VIM. +. sims. Col. SIMS mad received
notice that witnesses were about to be
examined with respect to his personal char
acter. Mr. Wise read letter from Col.
Sims to Senator sherman, stating that he
knew not the nature of the threats nor the
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
any light on the subject before the committee
but 10 blacken his character Oy innuendo.
he desired, If the committee saw fit to 90 out
side OF his character for Veracity, to be al
lowed to summon witnesses touching the
moral character of all parties, including
senator Vance and Representatives George
{. Cabel and George ID. Wise. who were, he
was informed. engaged in an attempt to
Dlacken his character.
SENATOR VANCE AROUSED.
After reading the letter Mr.. Wise said that
since the investigation began he had. TO some
extent, represented the Affirmative PROPOSE
tlOn that there was murder and massacre and
OutaWry in Danvile and he honestly be-
heved it, He therefore wished to say that
Col. sims had been examined here as to GER
tain statements. If true it mattered not what
the private character of Col. Sims was. except
as 70 his reputation for veracity. lie gave
notice that he should object to the inVestiga-
a. nN-faug5ptr har-and 4 al
utatlOn for Veracity unless the investigation
was opened up, in which case he should assail
the reputation for truth OF W. n. Rufin. and
should produce the records of some of the
signcrs OF the Danvile circular.
senator Nance-Well, Mr.. Chairman so far
as the notice Is an intlmation that my charac-
ter Is To be assaIled. sir
Senator Sherman-i think myself. Cover
nor, that that ought not TO enter upon the re-
cords, and shall certainly recommend
senator Nance-It is unusual. sir. and il is
camnable, and / defy the whole h fired
crowd 10 assau my character here or any
where else. ! never heard of such PROPOSE
tlon as carrying the war into the committee
and making war against a member of the
committee who is simply doing his duty as APP
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.
sHERMAN's HEALING WORDS.
Mr.. Sherman said that there was no fur
ther necessity for argument. When the ques-
tIOns were raised by the Offering of testimony
II would then be time enough to discuss and
decide them. So far as the threat to involve
a member Of the committee personally as TO
his character and conduct was concerned it
was entirely improper.
Col. Sims-AlI my character is as precious
10 me rs .hat 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 l
have no objection at all.
senator Vance, said it of YOU with refer
ence to the proof had
Col. Sims, who is partially deaf, was pro-
ceediug. when senator sherman persuaded
Mr.. Berkley. one OF the Democratic coun-
sci from Danville. wished to address the COM
mlttee. but senator Hoar, who temporarily
occupleg the place OF senator Lapham, OBJ
Jected, and moved that the taking OF testi-
mony be resumed.
Mrs. q. b. Rawlings, of Baltimore, was
then sworn and took the stand. Mr. 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 veracitv
Mr.. sherman said that he would not consent
TO turning The investigation into the channel
proposed now to open mp the opportunity for
bringing IN personal quarrels without the di-
recuon OF the full committee. If there was
any desire 10 eOntrovert any of Col. Sims
1 statements as witness he would have no
objection.
VANCE sTABs SIMS CHARACTER.
Mr. Vance said that il had been put in evil
dence that Col. Sims was q man of good char
acter and that his defeat in the election was
due 10 intimidation and violence. Il propose
TO prove he continued, "that this man Is a
thief. That ne stole the bonds of this witness
on the stand here, and that he is utterly un-
worthy Of belief He has backened the
character of reputable citizens of Danvillc
and we propose to show who lie is"
Mr.. Wise-I think that 1t is due to Col
Sims that the proposition to show that this
man Is a thief, that he stole bonds of this lady,
and that he is unworthy of belief, should not
be allowed to 90 wered, also that Col.
sims huris back the insinuatiOn into the
teeth OF ills author. and at the proper time
and proper place Will prove that 1t is a false
/ hood made out OF whole cloth.
Mr.. Vance make this, of course, not OF
my own knowledge, but l make it with wit
nesses here ready to prove it.
congressman Cabell and George d. Wise
had now arrived in the committee room. and
IA their turn stated with much earnestness
their Willingness to submit to any investiga-
ton which might be proposed respecting their
personal records.
Mr.. sherman still obiecting to the introduc-
ton of the testimony proposed, Mrs. Rawlings
was excused. At O'Clock, after a compari-
son of views between the members of the sub
committee, all the witnesses in attendance
were discharged and an adjournment subject
to the call of the Chairman was reached. 1t
is not yet decided whether any more wit
FnarNN hos HnNsn..s.