The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-08-03
THE WATSON CHARGES.
C".7M ifiHE'S LABORS ENDED.
Judge Cobb Denies the Irnputntion OF
prnnkonnoss and Mr. Watson Re
i'crates Them-The Report


bers had been seen on tho door Of the
House to stagger and reel from drunken
ness resumed its labors this morning.
Representative Cobb made a statement in
defense OF the charges brought against him.
He said that at the very outset OF bis speech
OF the Hoyes-RockwelI contested election
case he appealed to the House not 10 in
terrupt him, as it was an exciting time in
the House and Interruptions Of previous
speakers had been numerous. lie made the
remark that il was difficult to answer a
multiplicity Of questions Mr. Cobb
laid before the committee tho Official
stenographers manuscript OF the ad-
dress he made on the occasion men,
toned and pointed out in it the inter-
TupuOns with which he had 10 contend. He
also read from the manuscript a long colo
GUY which took place between himself and
Dir. Watson. aud then passed 10 the point
whore. according 10 Mr. Watson, he mado
use oi the words, Mr. Speaker. whore am
/ at As the stenOgrapher transcribed tho
phrase 10 made Dir. Cobb say, Mr.. Speaker
will you tell Inc where am ] IN my argu-
ment' Mr. Cobb continued reading his re-
marks from the manuscript and when he
concluded said be would su bmit his speech
% any tair-minded man 20 Judge if it was "a
maudAn one. He did not intend 20 deny
that hls language could be criticised; lie
was not particular as 10 that. lie had been
continuously interrupted. and probably tho
address was at times disconnected.
WHAT he DRANK.
ln regard O. the liquor matter he said he
would not claim any Indulgence on the
ground 0f being a weakhng, he was not.
he admitted. however. that he was not as
strong as some men. The Noyes- Rockwell
contest. continued Mr. Cobb. was an excit-
ing and. 10 some extent, bitter one. The
Elections Committee had decided TO seat
the Republican. MT. Noyes. Representa-
tive Gillespie and myself were the only two
members of the committee ont Of fifteen
who had decided views on the rights of the
cOntestee and we made q minority report.
Mr.. Gillespie, by reason of my seniority of
service. desired that 1 should lead the
minority.
For three days preceding the contest,
said Mr.. Cobb, Il was engaged in exhaus-
tive labor on the case in addition 70 my
other duties: that / had but little rest and
when ] entered the argument 1 was not in
my usual health"
Mr.. Cobb explained that be bad also had
On attack of the grip, which had affected his
throat, and ia order 10 relieve it be had told
an employe 20 send 20 bis desk during his
remarks a cup OF beef tea, as he wanted "a
warm LIQUID. This was done and from time
% time as he proceeded with his argument
AAH nHnA a iAAa ~ lave Tue NhAu AAiuAA
changed TO warm. and from that circum-
stance" added Mr.. Cobb. has grown o
great deal of trouble"
Mr. Cobb took exceptions 20 the testi-
mOny of Representative Butler given on
Saturday. the substance Of which was that
Dir. Butler had heard BIr Cobb say, Send
me more whisky That is not true" said
Air cobb omphaticaily. There was
oronght o. me during the argument a little
whisky and / used It as / would have done
under the hand Of a physician. l slpped It,
aud II It affected my voice and manner
was not aware Of it, as l was as sober as /
ever was.
sTnIULANT OR WHISKY.
At this point Mr.. Watson inquired of Mr..
Cobb how he indicated that he wanted
change from tea TO whisky, which query
ellcted the prompt response that he (Cobb)
remarked tO q member that he would Like
10 have a little stimulant and the member
said he would get IL for him. which he did.
He was not sure now whether he used the
word "stimulantsn or whisky" Possibly
that was what Mr.. Butler heard him say,
but il was a mistake 20 say that ne sent
boy time after time for whisky, as the page
did not bring the whisky, but the beef ten
three OF four times
Mr.. Cobb qualified this statement Dy say
ing that be did not know whether the page
brought the whisky or not, as be was buslly
engaged ia his argument, but when he
AAEArQ 10 MS Qtah Ah lAIAuu up ALo cup
aud slipped from it and found 1t was whis-
ky He thought 10 was diluted with water
and not rspleuished. When he concluded
his speech he took another swallow, but
the whole thing together did not make him
drunk. Il want TO say, continued MI,
Cobb. that If there was anything unusual
ia my manner il resulted from two causes
One was my anxiety 90 put the legal points
10 the case before the House, and the other
was that in my hurry 10 finish (Which was
requested at various times felt II my duty
nj TO take my seat before the legal points
were fully presented
In concluding Alr. Cobb SAID be was not
responsible for the Investigation, and had
nothing % do with IL. On the contrary he
would have prevented il. lie hoped that
when the affair was looked at from nTst 10
last it would be seen that it was nothing
more than a repetition OF the story OF the
three black crows.
WATSON QUESTIONED.
Mr. Watson then said he had no inten-
ton to bring Judge Cobb Ia TINS matter
personally; il was general charge. 49,,
mr. Grout: Now after Judge Cobbs
statement, DO you believe he was inIoAi-
Gated
Nr Watson: I still think that Judge Cobb
Mr. Boatner. Did you intend to iniure |
Judge Cobb?
Mr Watson. / was writing campaign |
book and gave % simple iacl. 10 OOHut'-
tee brought Judge Cobb's name into the
coutroyersy-I did not, and dId not intehd
t0 do 50. ,
Mr. Boatner. Upon whom did you intend |
th.s article 20 be an attack
BIZ. Watson: II was nay intention 10 ar
uigu the House OF Representatives Ioi per-
hitting such actions on the n0or
Mr. Boatner. / have not exactly caught |
tie gst of your statement,
Dir. Watson: / don't think you nave. |
Ont think you ever would, ana uon
TANK you want 70 catch it,
Nr BOatner DO you mean that your IN
hluon was to arraign the House Of Repre-
tentatiyesy
Nr. Watson Yes sir, now you have goth
straight.
Sir. Boatner: That is what would have
ALed you % give al the start.
Sir. Watson. / have given 1t every Tune
an will continue TO give 1t.
blr. BOatner: IhAye tried 10 be polite ana
respectful 20 you.
Mr. Watson: / don't think you have.
K. J.. Wilson and Judge Patton, OF lndi-
ana. having testified that ia their opinion
Judge Cobb was not intoxicated. II was
agreed unanimously % close the testimony.
Dir. Watson: / DO not wish 10 DO made 10
appear as the prosecutor Of the House ia
This matter I wrote the book and stick by
every word Of II. This prosecution was