The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1892-07-31
House Committee Investigating Drunk
enness Got All 1t Was Looking For.
Representative Who Made Speech While
Tipsy, with Cup of Booze" on His Desk
Filibustering Continues in the House.
Holman Promptly Sat Down on Trying
to Sneak in a Privileged Question.
The Iuncombe Anti-0 Option Bill Laid Over Un-
til Next Session by the Senate-Absent
Solons Al! Required to Be Present
WE'RE UNDOUBTEDLY DRUNK.

WE'RE UNDOUBTEDLY DRUNK.
Representative Watson Seems TO Have Easi-
Iy Proved His Charges
WASHINGTON, July 30.-The names of the
members of Congress whom Mr.. Watson, of
Georgia, had in mind when he wrote in his
book about drunken Con gressmen on the
floor did not come out this morning in the
investiR CATION by the committee appointed
yesterday to inquire into the charges made
by Mr.. Watson. Mr.. Watson was the first
witness. He said that he knew enough to
substantiate the charges which he had
made. He would regret to mention names,
and would only do 30 under compulsion.
He had in mind two members present dur
ing the debate on the silver
bill at night session early
in March when he wrote about
members reeling on the floor in state of
intoxication. The phrase drunken speak
ers debating grave questions" referred to
one speaker on one occasion on1y-ln the
Noyes-Rock well debate. In his opinion
that speaker was in q state of maudlin in
toxication. In front of the speaker was
cup and saucer Its contents were re-
rlenished several times and 1t was notice
able that the more he drank the moro he
wandered in his argument.
Mr.. Watson testified that he heard the
speaker say to page bring me moro of
that stutf-tbat whisky"
That gentleman, Watson said he reg ard
one who no doubt regretted tho occurrence
as much as any one else possibly could.
Mr.. Watson added that that he would not
shrink from mentioning names If forced to
the issue. HIS hesitation came entirely
from o desire to shield the persons con-
oerned. Chairman Boatner said that the
committee would consider whether or not
1t would ask for names.
EVIDENCE OF INToXICATIoN.
Representative Otis. of Kansas. said that
he had seen evidences of intoxication on
the part of members on two occasions.
Asked about the degree of intoxication of
tho member addressing the House when
under the influence of liquor, the witness
said
He was pretty we'll set up. / thought
the longer he proceeded the worse he
grew"
Witness told Repres entative Simpson that
most certainly he had noticed drinking
habits on the part Of members. Coming
from q prohibitory State, il was perhaps
more noticeable than it would have been
otherwise.
Miss Dwyer congressional reporter of
the National Economist, corrOborated the
previous witnesses as TO member under the
influence of liquor addressing the House.
In response to general question from
Representative Simpson. Mr. White said
that he did not see anything Co make him
think that great number OF membeI were
drinking while on tho floor OF the House.
Representatives Halversen, of Minnesota,
and Butler. of Iowa, each testified that on
two occasions they had seen q single men,
bel drunk in the aisle. On another oc-
casion man was drunk while
added another instance to those men
toned by naming the silver debate and o
pension night as the times of drunkenness.
Mr.. Butler testified that he had seen only
four members drunk during the session.
Representatives Shell, of South Carolina,
and Clover, of Kansas. each testified that
he had seen only one instance of lntoxiea-
tion in the House. Congressman Davis, of
Kansas, cOrr0Oorated the testimony of
previous witnesses as to two or three in
stances of drunkenness on the floor of the
House. He thought one occasion was when
local bill was up.
Mr.. Watson then wanted to prove the
existence of bar-roOn in the Capitol
building. but Chairman Boatner would not
let him, and would not agree that the
record should show the refusal. Mr.. Boat
ner said that 1t was q matter of public no.
torIety that whisky could be had at either
and at many other places. by q vote of
Messrs. B0atner. Buchanan of Virginia.
WolvertOn and Grout against that of Mr..
Simpson q motion to admit evidence of
drinking In the House restaurant was over
ruled.
Representative KEN, of Nebraska. named
two occasions, one he thought when the
river and harbOr bill was under discussion,
when he saw q member drunk on the floor,
and Representative Baker recalled four in-
stances.
Representative Rockwell of New York,
testified that he was the contestee In the
Rockwell-Noyes contested election case
decided by the House some time ago. He
was present during the discussion
of the case in the House.
He had not seen any members
reeling on tho floor during the present ses-
sion. he saw no members whom he
thought were appreciably drunk. Said
he: The gentleman who made
the remark, Where was / atr made
speech in my behalf while the
election case was In progress. lie (wlt-
before the speech was delivered assisting.
him. The man had worked hard and was
considerably exhausted. He was
Mr.. Rockwell said, in no sense in
toxicated or under the influence of
liquor. Witness saw the gentleman imme-
dlately after the speech. and he was not in
the least Intoxicated.
Representative Turner of Georgia. testi-
ned that on ono night session he had seen q
member whom he thought was drunk.
Representative Oates. of Alabama,
was the next witness. During his
testimony it developed that Repre-
sentative Cobb, of Alabama, was the
person who had made the speech in the
contested election case and who was the
person charged with IntOxicatiou by Rep
resentative w atsOn. Some questions hav-
ing arisen as TO whether il was proper
to allow the name to remain on the record.
inasmuch other names had been
given, Mr.. Cobb remarked that whether
his namo was mentioned or not every
body knew who was meant He appealed
to the committee TO let the matter proceed
openly and asked the committee TO make q
thorough, searching Investigation, saying
that he twltness) was not afraid OF the re-
suit.
Alr. Oates said that while Mr.. Cobb was
speaking he appeared greatly exhausted
and some one sent him something 10
drink. The stimulant, he observed, had
some effect on Mr.. Cobb. enliveninp
his manner. Witness declared. however.
that Mr.. Cobb was not drunk. He had
known him for tweDty-seven years and
never knew him to be drunk, although he
took q drink sometimes. Adjourned.
IN A NICE QUANDARY.
The Excuseless Fflibuster Has Left the Gov
A ernment Without SunDort