Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-07-30
STIRRING Up STRIFE.
A Paragraph From Mr.. WatsOn's
Campaign Book Calls
FORTH KISSES FROM MEMBERS
And the Appointment Of a Com
mittee to Investigate the
Charges Of Drunkenness
Against Legislators-Mr. Wat
son Holds His Own and Asks
No Favors Of Anyone.

WASHINGTON, D. c., July 99.-The
Worlds Fair matter was delayed in the
House this morning by a question OF
privilege raised by Mr.. Wheeler, OF
Alabama, relative TO certain statements
contained in campaign book recently
published by Representative Watson, OF
Georgia, reviewing the action OF the
present congress, and the positions
taken by its members in the past.
The House was plunged into a state
of great confusion by an assertion oy
Mr.. Watson that every word written In
the book to which Mr.. Wheeler referred
was literally true, and that he stood
ready to defend every line. The asser-
tion was greeted with prolonged Kisses,
as the words charge that drunken mem
bers reel through the aisles and drunken
members speak upon grave issues.
The excitement over Mr.. Watson's
language grew more intense, and he
was called to order by Mr.. Tracy, of
New York, who was greatly indignant
over the wholesale charge upon the
House. Mr.. Watson was permitted TO
explain his language.
The Watson episode passed away,
but only after he reiterated his asser-
tion as TO the truth OF the statements
made by him and defed the House TO
do with him as it wished.
Mr.. Funston, OF Kansas, protested
that the Kissing was n disgrace to the
House, when he was waved down by
Mr.. Watson, who announced his ability
10 take care Of himself.
Mr.. Tracey, Of New York, in a voice
replete with indignation, called the gem
tleman from Georgia to order.
That gentleman had asserted that
every word in the book was true. That
book contained general charge OF
drunkenness against members. DE
called the gentleman to order for MAX
ing such an assertion on the floor OF the
House, and he demanded that he take
mis- seat. Applause. Mr. Watson
quietly resumed his seat, but was sub
Sequently allowed to proceed.
lie said there was not a charge In the
paragraph from the book that had not
been made from the press gallery and
circulated throughout the country; and
now because he made il and because the
ten members of the Peoples party were
in the power Of a tyrannical majority he
was selected as a scapegoat. Kisses
and contemptuous laughter on Demo
cratic side. On. OH continued Mr.
Watson, If you want TO howl me down
you can do so and / will appeal from
your tyranny TO the fair sense Of justice
that abides in the heart OF the Ameri-
can people. IApplause on Republican
side.
Mr. Watson was called to order, and
the Speaker reminded him that he was
speaking not as a matter Of right, but
by grace Of the House. Mr.. Watson
impetuously declared that he scorned
the grace; that he wanted no grace, and
in an instant the House was in state
OF great excitement.
Mr.. Watson, though holding his own
throughout all the confusion, was i'm
mediately respectful and submissive
when the Speaker directed him TO take
his seat. When order was restored Mr..
Watson was permitted TO proceed,
which he did by reading the opening
portion of the Objectionable paragraph,
"pledged TO reform, they have not re-
formed" but he had gone but thus far
when he was again called 10 order by
Mr.. McMillin. who insisted that the
gentleman must explain the language
which was objected To.
Mr.. Watson (complacently readingl
"pledged to reform, they have not re-
formed; pledged 10 economy, they have
not economized; pledged TO legislate,
thev have not legiSlated."
Mr.. McMillin-"The gentleman is In
GaQrant violation Of the rules, but /
will not insist against his reading the
paragraph, in the hope that when be
has finished he will come TO the stand
he has perpetrated." l."
Mr.. Watson-"An eleventh hour con-
version is better than no conversion at
ALL"
Continuing, Mr.. Watson said that the
only charge in the paragraph which
Democrats took offense was that mem
bers got drunk at the bar, which the
House permitted 10 be run in the base
ment Of the capital. They had planted
the tree; why wonder at It's fruit?
This Congress-" sald he, In conclu-
sion, .'can do what II likes about that
paragraph, but stand by II as the ex-
act truth, and defy you to contradict
IT,"
As Mr.. Watson sat down he was again
hissed, and there was considerable SEN
sation in the House, while cries Of
name your man" resounded through
the hall. But Mr.. Watson remained
passive and apparently an uninterested
spectator of the scene, which he had
been so instrumental in placing upon
the legislative stage.
The outcome OF the whole matter was
that Messrs. Boatner, Wolverton, Bu-
chanan, OF Virginia, Grout and Simp-
son we're appointed committee to In
vestigate the charges.