The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-08-11

CHARGES uNwARRsNrEp.

AUGUST II, 1897. TWELVE |
CHARGES UNWARRaNTED.
Representative Boatner. Of Louisians, Chair
man Of the sub Committee IF the House Ju-
| dietary Committee. appointed to investigate
the charges made by Mr.. Watson, the Alliance
member from Georgia, in his campaign book,
that drunken members had been seen to reel
through the aisles of the House. a disgrace to
the Republic; and that drunken members had
debated grave issues on the floor and had been
heard to say, Mr.. Speaker, where was / at?'"
| submitted the report of tho majority on Friday,
Aug. 5.
The report says it developed in the investiga-
ton that the charges-drunken speakers had
debated grave issues on the floor, and in the
| midst of maudlin ramble had been heard to
ask, "Mr Speaker, where was t?"-referred
exclusively to Hon. J. Z. Cobb, of Alabama, on
the occasion of the latter's remarks on the
Noyes Rockwell contested election case. Mr..
Watson, the report says. avowcd his intention
in his publication of these charges to arraign
| the House of Representatives and not to bring
discredit or cd ium upon those whom he charged
with these faults. We have no hesitation, the
report adds. in declaring that the charges, in
the sense which the author intended they
should be believed are false and libelous I'M
der the strictest legal meaning of those terms.
The charge that drunken members have reelsd
about the aisles, q disgrace to the Republic, 10
false, because manifestly directed against the
whole House, and seeking to create the be-
| lief that drunkenness il common among mem-
bers and conspicuous In their appearance on
the floor, while the facts arc that two, and
possibly four men have appeared on the door
more or less under the influence Of liquor, bnt
none in the condition described.
Considering that the Houss is composed OF
1873 members and that the session has lasted
eight months, the falsity and Intentionally
misleading character Of the charge is manifest.
The second charge, that drunken speakers
have discussed grave issues on the floor. and in
the midst of maudlin ramblings have been
heard to ask: Mr. Speaker, where am at ?"
is false, the committee says, in certain particu-
lars, which are given.
The Committee recommend the adoption Of
q resolution reciting that Mr.. Watson's charges
are not true, and constitute an unwarranted
assault upon the honor and dignity Of the
House, and that such publication has the I'M
qualified disapproval of the House.
Representative Grout says in his report that
the Republican member of the Committee
fully concurs in the finding Of the majority
that Mr.. Cobb was not in o state OF intoxica-
ton in the House while discussing the Noyes-
Rock well election case.
In conclusion Mr.. Grout recommends that
Representative Watson voluntarily withdraw
pressions of regret, and if he should decline to
do so, then the Republican members insist
upon the adoption of the resolution drafted by
Mr. Grout, which was incorporated in the re-
port of the majority.
Hon. Jerry Simpson. the Farmers' Alliance
member of the Committee, will make . minor
ity report to the House in favor Of Mr.. Wat
sons charge.
AGAINST THE SUB-TREASURY PLAN.
MI. McMilIin Writes Their Obituary and
Has Nothing Good to Say Of the Deceased.
Mr.. McMillin, from the Committee on Ways
and Means Of the House, presented an adverse
report from tbst Committee on the two measures
known as the Sub-Treasury bills on the last
day Of the session. This il the pet scheme Of
the Farmers Alliance.
The report says the same general object 10
sought to be accomplished by both measures.
One approprates 100000. tho other $780,
5000 to provide for the establishment Of sub
treasures in all the Counties in the United
States, upon proper petition, where the cotton,
wheat. corn, oats, and tobacco produced in the
County for the preceding two years exceed
100000 or 100000 rs prescribed in each bill
respectively. 1t is also provided that the
owner of products deposited shall receive Treas
ury notes equal at the date of deposit to 30 per
cent. of the net market value of those products.
Storage buildings are to be built by the Gov
eminent, which Is to become selling agent OF
the depositors.
Prefacing its criticism of the bills with tho
statement that the objects sought to be OBJ
tanned are impracticable, inex pedient, and I'M
desirable, the committee gives as its opinion
that if these measures became law the individ-
ual and not the Government would be the
only beneficiary; that large army of officials
would be mustered into the Government ser.
vice to swell the already excessive salary roll,
and that the Federal courts would be taxed
beyond their capacity with snits growing out
of the establishment of these sub-treasuries.
One great objection urged against the bills
by the committe. is that they would further
extend the tendencies to Capitalization and
paternaiism, which unfortunately character
ize the times. No good could come from max
ing every citizen feel that from the time he
plants his crop till it Is harvested he is to look
to the Government for . banker and broker
and for safe storage and custody. To do so,
the COMMITTEES contends, would reverse the
sound principle that tue people are to support
the Government and not the Government to
support the people The freedom of the citi.
zen to control his own domestic concerns I'M
bampered by Government intermeddllbg was
of supreme importance. This system once
entered upon would not be confined within
the limits of the bill. It would he the specu-
lator's delight. The powers conferred would
make it almost impossible to dislodge an ad-
ministration corrupt enough to use its author
ity to intrench itself in official place. 1t would
place it in the power of banks or individuals
to destroy any issue of our currency by buy
ing up the certificates of deposit. 1t was class
legislation.
The Treasury warrants proposed to be
loaned to the holders of produce on its deposit
in the sub.treasuries to be established are I'M
conditional promises to pay. are to be legal
tender, are charge upon all the revenues of
the Government for their redemption, and
money might have to be appropriated for tbst
purpose They would have to be met and re-
deemed by an increase of taxation If the prod
ucts deposited failed from fire, from deteriora-
tion in value or other cause. to bring the
amount issued upon their deposit Such tax
is for private, not public purpose, and, in
the opinion of the Committee. an attempt to
authorize it is unconstitutional.
The producers of certain products are allowed
to borrow money upon them from the Govern
ment, while this privilege is not accorded the
producers Of other products into which there
has gone equally as much labor. The day
iaborer cannot borrow. The man who has no
wheat, no cotton, no corn, no tobacco to spare,
however needy and whatever his situation or
demands, cannot avail himself of this means
of relief by borrowing money at the rate OF
per cent, as here proposed for others.
The Committee arc unable to conclude that
il would be Just to tax one citizen, already too