The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1892-08-04

Congressman Watson, of Georgia., the
leader of the third party in his State, has
written and published book designed for
campaign use. The publication would
hardly have attracted attention. unless
locally, had not Congressman Wheeler, OF
Alabama. uuwisely as il would appear
have brought it before the House and the
country. Saturday Mr.. Wheeler read an
extract from this campaign book of Nj.
Watson. which he charged was a retIec-
ton upon TIE dignity OF the House; and
in consequence a committee of investiga-
ton was ordered. The following are some
of the sentences from the passage in this
book which is deemed to be so very often
sive to the Democracy:
The Congress now sitting is another
Illustration THAT is, OF general Demo-
cratic wolthlessness) Pledged to reform.
tLev have not reformed. Pledged to econ
omy they have not economical. Pledged
to legislatc, they have not legislated. En-
travaGance has been the older Of the day
Absentecsm has never been SO pronounc-
ed Lack OF purpose was never 50 clear.
Lack oi common business prudence was
never more glaling. Drunken men have
recled in the aisles, Il disgrace to the re-
public. Drunken speakers have debated
grave issues upon the floor, and i'll the
midst OF ma,ldlin rankings have been
heard to ask; ''Alr. Speaker. where was |
att seless employees crowd every cor
rider Useless expenditures ptryade every
department.
.'Webh' telegraphs the Boston journal
that Nh Watson will have no difficulty in
proving that there are useless employees
about the House, and on the authority of
Mr.. Holman, Chairman of the Committee
on Appropriations; and further:
Whether or not Mr.. Watson can prove
drunkenness on the part of the Democrat
&c members is not certain. But it is GER
tain that he would have no difficulty in
proving that the Democratic House, by its
authority, has maintained during the en-
tire Congress bar room where, in full
sight of everybody, poor whisky can be
obtained at high prices Around that
open bar every day the employees of the
House, congressman and people from the
outside, stand up as in any ordinary rum
shop and purchase liquor in open defiance
of the rules of the House and Of the dec
larations of some of the most eminent of
leaders This is not done in corner or
behind any screen. 1t is done openly and
6etiantlv. Such is the demand for whisky
that it is poured out in advance in por-
tons that seem suitable by the Tammany
man who keeps the bar, that the de-
mands upon the bar-keeper at any one
time shall not be too great for him to i'm
mediately execute This has not occurred
without the free knowledge OF the Speak
En- ANY one who ever visits the restau
rant who has eyes, or, ii blind, who has
the sense of smell, can Immediately de
tect the selling of liquor. Speaker Crisp
months ago had official notice of this VIC
lation of the rules and of the ordinary de
corum of the House, but notwithstanding
the notice given to him by one of the
most eminent men of New England, no
reform has been effected.
The investigation thus far has sustained
Mr.. Watson S charges, but witnesses have
not been compelled to name names. The
odirm. if this course is followed. will
therefore rest upon the Democratic House
in general, and not upon the individual Of
tenders Following is specimen of the
testimony given:
Representative Butler, of Iowa, testiti-
ed that during a night session he had seen
member who he thought was under the
influence Of liquor He remembered hay
INC seen four members intoxicated
s.During the Rockwell-Noyes case" MI
Rutler said 81 sat near member who
was making speech. He called page
and asked him to bring him some whiskey.
The whiskey was brought in cup, from
which the member slipped at frequent in
tervals. Before the close of his speech l
think he was drunk. The member refer
to has been regular in his attendance on
the House, and the occasion l refer to is
the only time have ever seen him intoxi-
Gated"
Messrs Clover and Davis, Alliance
members from Kansas, swore that they
had seen men drunk ON the floor of the
House on two occasions.