Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1890-09-12
Raum InvestigatIon.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 1l.-Right at the
beginning of its session this morning the
special house committee investigating
the charges against Commissioner Raum
had the usual daily tilt. Lewis, the
Democratic member, rising to personal
question said that he had been creditably
informed that while he was engaged in
conversation with Smyser, who was on
the stand the other day. the chairman
had said that his UewisD conduct was
not gentlemanly, and he wanted a re-
traction.
Chairman Morrill, SAID that he had no
recollection of having made such re-
mark, aud Mr.. Sawyer also denied that
il had been made, taking occasion also
to denounce officious outsiders who were
seeking to intermeddle and make hard
feeling IN the committee.
Commissioner Raum begin ming his de-
Tense asked that Cooper be sworn. In
answer to the commissioner questions
Cooper said that his attention had first
been called to the refrigerator company
by newspaper articles and afterwards by
George b. Fleming. He had talked
with half dozen other persons confiden-
italy, but did not care to give their
names. Fleming had said that Butler
Fitch had told him that seven pension
office employees had bought refrigerator
stock. This was where the charge orig
mated which seemed to be corroborated
by newspaper articles.
The commissioner said Fleming was
himself the author of the defamatory
article.
Cooper said the commissioner had
given out an article himself, saying that
he had not given his note to Lemon.
The commissioner replied that he had
denied that he had given a note for $685.
600.
Cooper remarked that he had set up a
case and then answered it.
The commissioner said that he had
taken the case which he found IN the
newspapers.
Cooper answered that he had been
confirmed in his belief in the charge by
the commissioner refusal to answer his
questions, but the charge rested upon
Fleming's and Fitch's testimony. If
they were knocked out all right.
The commissioner replied that he
thought they had knocked themselves
out.
MIR. Cooper was not sure but if the
books of the refrigerator company were
produced the names of pension Office en-
ployes would not be found, and that
Bradley Tanner had not been promoted
for his services to the company.
The commissioner again pressed Mr..
Cooper for the names of his informants,
saying: al want to get ct the men who
have poisoned your mind
Mr.. Cooper thought the remark was
gratuitous and excused the commissioner
ho ho6
Raum-''I should think had small
amount of feeling when man is trying
to ruin my credit on false charges.
Cooper-'You have admitted part of
them
Raum-"No, sir; have not.
Continuing, Mr.. Cooper said McCol-
man representing the refrigerator stock,
had spoken of the books in way that
led the witness to suppose they showed
crookedness.
The investigation ran along quietly
again for q quarter of an hour and there
was another outbreak. Cooper was still
on the stand and had said that he had
never seen the books of the company when
Flick sharply queried, "You know you
are on oath, don t you? You have sworn
q moment ago that you could take those
books and sustain these charges.
Cooper-''I said l believed it. That
suggestion of yours was uugentlemanly,
cowardly and mean, Flick, and 1 submit
that you are dirty dog.''
Chairman Morrill, endesvored to re-
strain the members, but Cooper added
Flick had no right nor any other man to
make that remark.
Lewis joined in TO help out Mr.. Cooper,
saying Mr.. Flick had no right to ask that
question about his being under oath. 1t
carries an implication
Flick denied any such intention.
LEWISTON have no right to ask
lawyer that question. -
Lawyers are more apt to
wander than anybody else.
Order having been restored Flick con-
Guided the examination.
Butler Fitch was called and positively
denied that he had told Fleming any of
the things that Mr.. Cooper had spoken
of.
In the course of the examination Com
missioner Raum remarked, "The whole
thing Is q hgment Of George B. Fleming.