The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-08-02
COBB AND HISLITTLE CUP
rra CONTENTS CHEERED BUT
DIDN'T INEBRIATB.

A Dozen or More Congressman Tes-
.,f,, That the Member From Alabama
uas Not Intoxicated-His Health
Was Bad and He Needed q Stimu-
,ant in order co Complete the De-
,,verv of His Spesch.
WASHINGTON, Aug. The members OF
,ba committee on jagology, except Jerry
eir,nson. who proposes TO back up Tom
Watson right or wrong, would, after hear
ioz the impressive testimony produced TO"
5av and that which is expected tomorrow,
not onlv exonerate the House but cestigate
Mr. Watson, and perhaps recommend his
ornulsion, were they not restrained by
tbair knowledge that Mr.. Watson is just
lvinr for marsyrdom like that, whiod
would prove 50 profitable for him and for
his book. Hence there is reason TO believe
that thar report will be much mIlder than
It might be, although there are several
Members Of the COMMITTEES who are for
dealing vigorously with Mr.. Watson.
ALL IN CoBB's FAVOR.
By the Associated Press
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-The special COM
mittee appointed to investigate TIE charges
of drunkenness OF members Of the House Of
Representatives resumed its sessions this
morning and half q dozen witnesses
testified that in their opinion Representa-
tive Cobb of Alabama was not drunk when
he delivered his argument on the Noyes-
Rockwell election contest, the witnesses
generally testifying t at in their opinion
Mr.. Cobb was suffering from exhaustion
incident to the delivery, when in poor
health, Of long speech marked by many
interruptions and much badgering on the
part Of other members.
Representatives Patterson Of Tennessee.
Bynum of Indiana, Meyer Of Louisiana,
Delegate Smith of Arizona, Pey ton Wise
Of Virginia, clerk to the House commerce
committee, and Solicitor Hepburn OF the
treasury, testified to Mr.. Cobb's sobriesy on
the occasion in question.
THE CUP ON HIS DESK.
Messrs Patterson, Bynum and one or two
Of the other witnesses testified that they
had seen a cup on Mr.. Cobb's desk and
had seen him drink out of it, but
from close observation and knowl-
edge Of Mr.. Cobb. they knew
that he was not under the influence OF
liquor. Mr. Bynum testified that he knew
It was not an uncommon practice for mem
bers to take bouillon, beef tea, coffee aud
other stimulants out OF cup during long
continued arguments, and, from knowledge
of Mr. Cobb's physical condition. he was
satisfied that that gentleman could not
speak continuously for two hours without
taking some stimuiant.
LOST TIE THREAD OF HIS ARGUMENT.
Delegate Mark Smith said chat he had
heard Mr.. Cobb use the phrase "Mr.
Speaker. where was l atp Mr.. Cobb had
been frequently interrupted and the inter
ruptlons had caused him to lose the thread
Of his argument, aud Mr.. Cobb used the
remark for the purpose Of getting into his
argument.
MIR. Bynum, Delegate Smith and also
Representative Meyer testified that they
had not seen any members drunk on the
floor OF the House during the silver debate,
or at any other time this session.
SIMPSON OBJECTS.
Mr.. Bynum was testifying In euIcgy OF
general sobriety of the House during this
session when Mr.. Simpson, the alliance
member of the committee, objected and said
that their side had been closely held down
In the investigation, and latitude should not
be allowed the other witnesses; out the
had been so emphatic in testifying that be
had seen no drunkenness on the floor dur
Ing the session that Mr.. Simpson asked
MIN II be bad seen any members under the
influence OF liquor during the three terms
Ne had been 10 congress, but the question
was ruled out Of order on the ground that
The conduct Of previous congresses was not
under investigation.
HEPBURN Defends COBB.
Solicitor Hepburn testified that he was
on the floor of the House part of the time
tlst MIR. Cobb was speaking and paid
close attention TO his argument, as he had
boarded at the same house with Mr.. Cobb
Ior some time. He did not suspect Mr.
C9oo OF intoxication 10 any degree. The
witness was asked about Mr.. Cobb's habits
Dat Mr.. Simpson objected to the admission
ol any testimony relating TO matters outside
tae noor OF the House on the ground that
Lney had not been allowed even TO prove
drinking in the House restaurant
Mr. Grout Of Vermont wanted to insist
Uu , an answer to the question but majority
ruled 1t out Of order.
RAYNKR DEFENDS COBB.
In the afternoon Representative Rayner
ot Maryland testified that In his opinion the
cusrges made in Dir. Watson's book were
absolutely untrue so far as MIR. Cobb was
..eoucerned. Iu his opinion, no man under
ele influence OF liquor could have made the
argument Mr.. Cobb made liz that case. He
sa' close TO Mr.. Cobb, and had no idea that
Us mad been drinking.
representative Long of Texas, who also
sa' near Mr.. Cobb, testified to the same
general effect as Mr.. Rayner.
KlLGoRE HAD SEEN DRUNKENNESS.
A. representative Kilgore Of Texas testified
az az ne mad seen one member drunk on the
~ ~ OF the House during the session, and,
tsL.uaps, one or two membere whom he
IIgIolgnt we're under the influence Of liquor
-s could not recall having seen any member
.. through the sisles. He recalled one
- .lcular occasion when a member address
s lpe House seemed under the influence
~ ,wnsky. Mr.. Kilgore said that he was
GatL r. tI5 chalr during the greater part of Mr..
80 argument. 1t never occurred to him
H. -. mr: Cobb was under the influence of
r,dt-.. de was little petulant over inter
bipIi.ns caused by members conversing be-
r,IIo 80 vne screen. Petulancy was rather the
'uan the exception in the House.
NOT NOTICED BY BRKCKINRIDGE.
t-I1spFesentativs Breckinridge of Ken
T,oAl., corroboratsd the testimony Of the
6sd dls ls witnesses, who had said that they
raI. ~ 'een no evidence Of intoxication on the
I;..S 9i dr Cobb Mr.. Cobb, he said, was
or. -s-!e oedeviled during his argument, and
yv;,s Or Twice was q little put out at it. The
ClIIs saw In some newspapers that Mr..
'oO lad been drinking. and wrote 10 him