The state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1891-1893, 1892-07-30
Little WATSON HEARD.
CHA RGE THE HOUSE MEMBERS
WITH DISGKACING THEIR TRUST
Ii the charge can not be Proven the
Author Will be Dissraced
10

the More.
BY Telegraph to the State Chronicle.
WASHINGTON, July 29-House y
AS soon as the journal was approved Mr.
Wheeler rose to question of privilege.
He read from the campaign book of the
third party written by Mr. Watson in
which 1t was stated that many members
had disgraced themselves and the House
this session by being intoxicated on the
floor. Mr.. Wheeler said this was most
wanton attack upon the House collec-
lively, and the history did not show
viler attack upon representative body
than this. Every member was tainted
with the charge. Considerable excite
ment prevailed at times during Mr..
strictly confined to the question of
privilege. Mr.. Burrows twice call
ed MIR. Wheeler to order and
said that the business of the
House should not be Interrupted by
general harangue of political parties.
| Finally, after Mr.. Wheeler was called to
order several times, he said he would
take his seat. (Applause.) Mr.. Wat
son, in reply, said the gentleman from
Alabama (Mr. Wheeler) was the assail-
ant, and had not been assailed by him
(Watson). He (Wheeler) had charged
the gentleman from Georgia with
falsehood, and had said that he was
attempting to break up the solid
South with the sub treasury bill. Mr..
Coombs then called Mr.. Watson to order.
Mr.. Watson: The gentleman from New
York cannot bulldoze me. know my
rights as a member of this floor" (Snp-
pressed excitement). He then attempted
TO proceed, but was interrupted several
times by members. lie sud: Il stand
the book high above his head),
every word in the book is liter
ally true. (Hisses all over the floor.
Mr.. Tracey called the gentlemen to order
and said that he (Watson) had reflected
upon the members on the floor of the
House. Mr.. Tracey demanded that he
(WatsOn) take his seat, which he did.
, excitement on the floor. The speaker
called the House to order and admonish-
ed the members and the galleries that
the kissing must cease. The stenograph-
ers notes of what Mr.. Watson said re-
: garding the truth of the statements in
his book were then read at the desk,
and also the objectionabl language in
the work, as follows: Drunken mem.
bers have reeled about the aisles, a dis
grace to the republic; drunken speak
ers have debated grave issues or
| the floor, and in the midst Of
: maudlin anblings have been heard to
ask Mr.. Speaker, where am I at9' The
reading of this statement created great
excitement on the floor. Mr.. Simpson
i moved that Mr. Watson be allowed tc
t show why he stood 10y the allegations il
!, the book. Mr.. Watson then proceeded
: He read from the preface of the book
f which stated that it was IAN armory
from which the peoples party cham
pions can draw every weapon of offens'
, and defense The paragraph leading
: up to the Objectionable paragraph reao
: as follows: The Congress was pledged
+ to reform; they have not reformed
Pledged to economize; they have no
economical Pledged to legislate; the,
have not legislated. Extravaganza ha
been the order of the day Absenteeisn
: was never so pronounced. Lacl
4 Of purpose was never SO clear
9 9 Lack of common business pru
s dence never more glaring." He the
l. read the words heretofore quoted, t.
L which exception had been taken. MI
u u McMillin thought that the gentlema
l. general discussion on the failure of Con
II gress to keep its pledges. Mr.. Watso
s. retorted with some feeling that tn
% gentleman from Tennessee, a quas
leader of the House. indicated what ex
planatiOn he wanted-a close cut hal
Z. shave explanation. Uaughter.) H
might not be able to explain to the salts
faction Of Mr.. McMillin, but he believe
:. that when the explanation was mad
. the House would be satisfied
- ~ The final chapter of the book We
- a summing up of the abuses of the day
~ Every line, he said, was distinct poir
ly in the indictment and he had right t
e; read the entire paragraph as explainin
T. the language objected to. The indie
d; ment should stand as it had been wri
to ten. There was nothing new in i
ur There was not charge in the boo
I'D which has not been made by the gentl
men from Indiana (Mr Holman) r
specting the failure of Congress to kee
T. its pledges. Members had been seen
=. state of intoxication and every men
. Der knew it; the country knew it throug
Y the representatives of the pres
I. The Speaker interrupted the ge
, teman from Georgia and sa
he had been accorded the floor not as
matter of right, but as matter of grac
st Mr.. Watson testify retorted: 81 do n
80 want anything from this House as ma
E. ter of grace, applause on the republics
side,) l will appeal from any decision
ho may make to the fair sense of Justi
which abides in the hearts of Americ
ng people. | scorn your courtesies al
els graces. You will hear me in my ov
nr right" (The House was now in compile
10 uproar and Kisses were heard from
er- sides.) The speaker said that if the &c
tleman from Georgia did not proceed
rd, order he would call upon the sergeant
ny arms to compel him to do so. The g
1T tleman was permitted to explain /
. remarks by vote of the House and
Sc Sc must respect the rights of this body. y
U Watson then proceeded to read from
$50 book, but was again Interrupted by n
lie McMillin, who said Mr.. Watson M
20 confine himself to the question involvl
av. the charges of drunkenness which wa