The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-03

WASHINGTON. Aug. 2.-lSpecialj-
To-day the House committee invessi-
eating the allegations made by Watson
in his book OF drunkenness among the
members of Congress. heard Clarke, of
Alabama, who testified in brief that the
only instance of drunkenness he had
ever seen on the floor Of the House was
upon one occasion-dlring the silver
debate. Cobb then took the stand In
bis own behalf, denied all in Watson,s
book that he was drunk, or In any de-
greo under the influence of liquor, or
that he had told the page to bring him
whiskey.
Watson then made statement in ref
erence to the paragraph in the book
which has caused so much discussion,
saying that it could not be understood
thoroughly unless the whole chapter
was taken into consideration. He then
paid tribute to the character of Cobb,
and stated that he had never meant to
draw that gentleman into any difficulty,
nor had he aimed at him individually in
his reference to rambling and maudlin
drunkards on the floor" His book, he
asserted, was compiled for Campaign
and political purposes, and he had no
intention, when he wrote it, OF bringing
odium upon Cobb.
Now, If you did not intend to reflect
upon Cobb who i'd you intend to reflect
upon?" said Chairman Boatner. To
this pointed question Watson gave
evasive answers, but at last upon
Boatner insisting that he conHne his
answer to the question Watson said he
meant 1t to apply to mem bers of the
House,
did you mean to arraign the House?"
said Boatner.
II did," answered Watson.
Watson then proceeded to argue at
some length in explanation of the para
graph In the book, the substance of his
argument being that it meant to infer
that the House had not kept any of the
promises of Demo cracy and that it had
been virtually derelict in its duty to the
country. His dissertation, however,
was cut short by colloquy between
himself and Boatner, in which each ac-
cused the other of discourtesy in the
course OF the investigation Bad feel
ing between them was particularly
manifest during Boatner's close GROSS
questioning to draw from Watson the
statement that this paragraph referred
personally to Cobb or to the House In
position to answer.
do you mean for me to answer that
question:" said the gentleman from
Georgia.
Il certainly do" said the chairman.
Then" said Watson, with much en-
phasis and with evident feeling. ~ am
ready to answer you, right now. or any
other time"
Boatner was apparently annoyed at
Vn anv1tc oh,
he had always tried to treat the GENTLE
man with courtesy.
81 am glad to hear you acknowledge
that" came back Watson. "All through
this investigation you have acted the
part Of prosecutor"
But said Boatner, II don't exactly
catch the drift Of your remarks"
Nor do l believe you have, and r
don't think you want to. and don't think
you will, said Watson.
$50 you mean to arraign the members
Of tho House," said Boatner.
"You have it," was the answer.
This ended the collouquy. Conclud.
ing, Watson, after testifying as to his
admiration for Cobb in answer to a
question put by the chairman reasserted
his belief that Cobb had been drinking
on the night of the debate, but modified
his statement somewhat by declaring,
that after all, II might only be matter
of opinion. and that it was quite diff
cult matter for men TO agree whether a
man was drunk or not.
Here Boatner interposed the question:
do you still believe Cobb was intoxi-
cated?"
81 do"
Wilson, of West Virginia, and Judge
Patton, of Indiana, both testified that
they had listened to Cobb and had no.
ticed nothing in his manner to indicate
intoxication. The hearing was then
ended and the testimony closed. AS 1t
will take some time to print the testi-
mony nothing further in the matter
will be done at present.