Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-08-04

WAsHNGToN, Aug. 1.-Congressman
Hrout was appointed on q committee to in
vestigate Congressman Watson, tho alliance
member from Georgia, who has written a
book in which, among other things, he says:
Ihls Congress now sitting is one iilustra-
ton. Pledged to reform, they have not re-
formed; pledged to legislate, they have not
Iogleated. Extravaganza has been the order
OF the day; absenteeism was nevor moro
pronounced. Lack OF purpose was never so
clear; lack OF common business prudence
was never more g!aring. Drunken members
nave reeied about the eisles, a disgrace to
the republic. Drunken speakers have de.
lated grave Issues, and in the midst Of
mnudin rambings have been heard to ask,
MIR. Speaker, where was ! at" Useless
employees crowd every corridor. Useless
exIenditures pervade every department"
lie read the above on the floor Of the
House and was met by a tremendous storm
Of Kisses and boots from the democrats to
which to which he replied; Livery word
In the book is literally true and / stand here
10 defend every line in the book and will do
II against all comers whether from the
North Or the South. The only crime charged
In that paragraph at which Il democrat
rould take offence is THAI he got drunk at
the bar room this Congress allows to be run
In tins basement.n
The occasion of all this outbreak was
brought about by MIR. Wheeler Of Alabama,
who had 1t appears seen the book and
thought the Iapguage it contained such as
TO entiil3 him as memboT OF the House to
recognition ON the grounds of personal priv
lese. lie secured the floor on these
grounds and Immediately attacked Mr..
Watson with result the most furious and
entertaining that has been presented duripg
this CONGRESS. Mr.. Watson aunounced
more than once at the top Of his voice that
be desired che controversy to cease, and
tn&t he had made no partnership with any
member to help him advertise the book.
u singular incident, however, followed
lhe calm IN which pages We're seen selling
The BOOK In the House OF Representatives ct
dollar apiece. But the democrat, would not
rest under these direct charges, and thev
presented resolution which was at once
fassed directing an investigation as the hot
headed leaders were anxious to know the
names of the drunken mcmbers and tho
latos of their drunkenness on the floor OF
the House Little did these leaders think
that IN the Calmer moments which would
come Ihey would heartily regret this action
this, however was the case because thev
rame TO hear that MI Watson had a memo
thhdum OF the names and the dates aud Of
the circumstances, and list of witnesses to
Eusta'n lhe chBrges LIE had made and the
democratic leaders with one accord pressed
around anu embraced him in TIE most loving
embrace, with entreaty upon entroaty, not
10 give names and dates and cirCums, ,auces
when lie came to lie investigated. Even
MI Iolman, the Oldest mcIuler of the
HouSo, WHO IS not given to fonduess for
any one, II his appearance does not belle
Ilri, fell upon tho neck OF Mr.. Watson ana
Ltsouaht BIN not to sub,tantiate Lis charges
when he came 10 be investigated. Not /
"lthstanding tho excitement OF the ma ori- /
t. and the intense dread that was likely to |.
come from an investgation the committee |
appointed for that purpose began investi- |
gazing Mr.. Watson that very evening, and |
AfteT preliminary meeting ut which no |
great advance was made, adjourned to an |
early hour the next day.
1t Is likely therefore that unless this |
session comes to an abrupt close, which now |
does not seem to be probable, that Mr.. |
" atsoD will try 10 substantiate the charges !
winch he has made, and it is not at all in |
probable that whatever report the majority .
pl TINS inVestlgat!ns committee may make |
mat the minority report OF each vii! neces- |
serhy be clear terse and correct statement |
ot the facts IN the case as Gen Grout Of |
Nernont Is at the head Of tho minority OF !
inns committee, The committee consists of |
boatuer NclVorton and Buchanan OF Nir- /
BIHla, democrats, and Gen. Grout and Mr.. |
simpson, the former one of the leading re 4
pubHcans OF the House, and the latter the
well hnoWn alliance member from Kansas. |