Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-04-29
Gould Before the House Committee.

WASHINGTON, d. c., April 22.-Jay Gould was
before the select committee intrusted with the
investigation OF the Southwestern strikes. He
had most of the Representatives for his audience
as they kept dropping in an ont of the commit,
tee-room Mr.. Gould showed that he had profited
by his experience before committees and was
not bit awed by the latest one. He sneered at
the questions put to him, and showed unmistak-
ably his contempt for the questoners Most of
the committeeman were easily brow-beaten and
after one or two attempts to follow up disagree
able subjects they quit. Gen. Wager Swayne
Gould's chief legal adviser in the present troub-
les sat at his side, while near at hand were Vice
President Hopkins and two or three other Mis-.
souri, Pacific people. During part of the examin-
alton Grand Master Workman PowderIy sat
directly opposite at the elbows of Committeeman
Curtin and Burnes. There were many contrasts
between the labor leader and the Wall Street
king When Powderly was giving his testimony
the other day his prompt and incisive answers
made decided impression. Gould's deliberate
and often contemptuous replies to-day did not
prejudice any one in his favor. It was soon
made plain that Gould had, with the aid of his
attorneys, thoroughly prepared for the examine
ton in so far as it related to the Southwestern
strike He was allowed to present his own side
without much questioning and took nearly two
hours to do this. All the stenographic notes
of the conferences in New York were allowed
| TO 90 in as testimony, the witness producing
them IN the course OF his story of the
troubles. he also put in the correspondence be-
tween Powderly and himself. The most theatre
| cal part of the performance was when Gould
read the lurid pronunciamento alleged TO have
Deen put forth by the st. Louis Knights of Labor
assemblies. He started off with mock uathos
and when anything especially extravagant was
reached, read il with deliberate emphasis that
would have delighted a country schoolmaster
There was some amusement when the fierce da-
nunciation OF himself was expressed with simu-
lated indignation at his own atrocities but other
wise the attempt at ridicule was a failure Ar
ter he had finished the document Gould brought
out the next chapter, which he had his counsel
read. This was the final correspondence between
Powderly and himself, in which both appeal to
the law During the reading Gould was the
picture OF prosecuted saint, meek and long
suffering, but with firm trust that his own good
ness would finally triumph.
When Mr.. Gould had had his two-hours' saw
and the committeeman began to question him in
detail he showed that he felt bored albeit he
plainly pitied their ignorance and stupidity II
was at this stage that he discovered the lack of
information abont details and beganto fall back
on Hoxie. He was disinclined to talk abont
pooling. but thought it an unmixed blessing
when this matter had been referred to several
times Mr. Gould got weary. Really, gentle
men, he said, with undisguised contempt, Il
shall have to wait until you conclude your in
vestigation. Then I'll read every line OF it and
don't doubt that I'll get much light. Till then /
shant make single investment 80 yes, You
will, Mr.. Gouid" said Chairman Curtin, .syou'lI
take few flyers in Wall Street, and don't know
but I'd like TO be with you. I'm very much
obliged TO you for your politeness, gentlemen, /"
said Could sareastically SIS he left the witness
chair.