People's party paper. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1891-1898, 1892-07-15

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committee which was raised for the
purpose of investigation. He re-
piled IN very courteous letter, in
which he said that he would with
hold nothing. He gave me the places
in which their different offices were
located, and he stated that he had
nothing to withhold; that he was
really glad that the investigation was
going to be had, because he felt that
his organization had been mlsrepre-
sented IN the newspapers; but he
did not wish to come in advance be-
fore the subcommittee, until those
who had accused him here had made
some charge and had produced some
evidence. / thought that was rea-
sonable; and it was about three
weeks ago that I applied to the gen.
tleman from Georgia for the names
of witnesses, and he gave me three
names. | issued subpenas for them,
and was proceeding with the exami-
nation. Then the Pinkertons would
have been called. | state this be-
cause the gentleman is giving a
newspaper report. That letter of
Pinkerton / have in my possession.
Mr.. Watson. That does not
touch what I was saying at all. 1t
is well enough for Mr.. Pinkerton to
be polite to the chairman of the COM
mittee when the investigation has
been ordered, but Mr.. Pinkerton will
not deny that, in the foulest and
most brutal manner, showing himself
to be man who has no regard for
the rights of other people, he de-
nounced me through the public press
Of this country because | had dared
to introduce my resolution. l ask
every gentleman on this floor
whether that sort of conduct will
meet the approval Of this body, and
whether that sort of intolerance
speaks we'll for the character of the
man who exercises tyranical power
over the life and death Of citizens :?
Now, Mr.. Speaker, going further,
[ gave the committee the names of
witnesses, Mr.. Powderly, Mr.. Wright
Of Brooklyn with his street num-
ber) and Mr.. Ralph Beaumont. The
other witnesses are accessible, even
if Mr.. Beaumont is not, but, so far
as | know, during the three weeks
that have elapsed no attempt has
been made to subpoena those gentle
men.
Mr.. Oates. The gentleman does
not state that he gave me any facts
that these witnesses could testify to :?
Mr.. Watson. No; but I gave you
the names of the witnesses who /
believed would make out the case
that | had outlined before the com
mittee. In other words, I outlined
the indictment and gave ssyou the
names of the witnesses who thought
wW1d, make the Indictment good.
lt1l. Oates. Three weeks ago,
when / called upon you for them?
Mr.. Watson. Certainly. could
not give them to you before you called
for them. How could I tell when
you wore ready for them? I make
no accusation against the Judiciary
Committee. l simply repel the &C
cusation that seems to be made
against me. / am simply exercising
the right of self-defense,
Now, | want to say this in conclu-
sion. Look at the difference in the
conduct of the committee at that time
and on yesterday.
There is a sound Of cannon in the
air; there is a sound of Winchester
rifles abroad; there are barbados
and forts; there is a vessel in the
river armed and equipped for fight;
there is the stain of blood in the
streets; there are dead men being
borne to their homes. So the gen
tleman from Massachusetts, Mr.. Will
iams introduced a resolution yester-
day and, without hearing him, with
out compelling him to give them any
evidence, or any facts, or any law,
the committee at once considered his
resolution and brought it up here this
morning.