New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-02
INVESTIGATING MR. wArsoN's CHARGES.

TESTIMONY As TO Mt. COBD's S0BGil ~ AND
THE GENERAL soBR.rTY Of THE HOUSE.
Washington. Aug. 1.-The special oomnluor ap
pointed 10 investigate Charge Of drunkenness OF Nom
bers OF tho House resumed is SESSIONS THIS norhine
and hafdo1on witnesses testified that IN their opnlon
Representative Cobb. ~ Alabama. not drunk when
hc delivered his argument In the NoycS ROCKWELL
election contest the Witnesses generally t-Sfving thu,
In their opinion Mr. Cobb WINS suffering from "xhhu'
lion Incident 10 the dcN cry when In poor health OF
long speech marked by many Interruptions ana much
badgcr1ng on tie part Of other members. Represents
lives Patterson, OF Tennessee: Eynum. OF Indiana ;,
Meyer. oi Louisiana; Delegate smith. OF Arizona. Pcy
ton Wise Of Virginia cera TO the House Commerce Com
plttcc and Solicitor Hepburn. NJ the Treasury Depart
men testified Mr.. Cohb's sobhHiy on the ocrafon III
qucs,icn. M-ssrs Patterson and nvnum and one 81
OF the other witnesses testified that thoy had seen
a cup on Mr.. Cobh's desk and hal him drink ont
u IT, but from close observation and krowlcdse OF Mr.
Cobb they knew that hc was not under the influence Of
liquor.
sir. Byrnm testified tina, ho knew II vas not M
uncommon practice f.. members 10 take bouillon beet
tea. coffee and other stlmuinus Oat ~ cup during
long continued arguments. and from a knowledge n
Mr. Combs physical co1diicn he wns saiislcd tina,
that gentleman oonld not speak continuously for two
hours without taking some stimulant. Mr.. Smith
said That he had heard Mr cobb usc tho phrase mt
speaker, where l at Mr.. CDbb Ind been
frequently Interrupted, and the Interruptions had
caused him 10 lose the thread Of his argument. and
Mr. Cobb used the rema'h for the purpose Of GETTING
into his argument Mr. Bynum. Mr. Smith ard Mr.
Meyer al testified that they had not any mem
drunk the Moor OF the House during the Silver
debate or a. any Other time this session.
IN the afternoon Mr.. Iaynor. Of Maryland. tesu
fed that In his opinion the charges mndc in Mr..
Wntson's book were absolutely untrue, 50 far a.
Sir Cobb wns concerned in his opinion no man
under the influence OF liquor conld have made the
argument Mr.. Cobb made In That lie sat close
20 Mr. Cobb and had idea that he had been
drinking. Mr.. Long. Of Texas. who also sat
Mr. Cobb, testified TO tho general effect. Mr.
KllE1re Of Texas, testified that he had one
member drunk the floor OF the House during this
SOS sion, and perhaps ono or two m-ni'crs whom he
thought under the influence 81 liquor lie could
not recall having sccn any member reel through the
alslcs. lie recalled one particular occnSon when
member, addressing the House seemed under tho
influence OF whskcy. SIR. KiIgorc said thut he was
In the chair during the GREATER part Of Mr.. Cobbs
argument. II never occurred TO him that Mr. cobb
was under the influence Of lqnor. lie was little
petulant over Interruptions caused by members
vcrsng behind the screen. rctulnncy was rather
the rule than The exception In the House.
Mr. Brecknrdgc. Of Kentucky, corrobortcd the
testimony Of the previous Witnesses who had snlA
that they had evidence OF intoxication on tho
part Of Mr. Cobb. Witness saw IN some newspapers M
allegation that MIR Cobb had been drinking and wrot.
10 HIM expressing surprise NJ the statement, he had
listened TO his Nfr. Cobb's) argument with admiration
lie put that letter In evidence showing the con.
icmporancous impression re Ind. Witness had not
seen single member within the rail Of the House nj
this session who impressed him under the nnuenc.
Of liluor. lie had vague impression that on one
occasion he member flushed with lIquor behind
the rail Mr.. DefOrcst, Of Connecticut did not think
hr. Cobb was under the Influence Of liqnor. lie sat
Mr.. Cobb that lie Thought lie would hive dc
tcctcd the OdOr had Mr. Cobb been drinking n. s,w
Mr. Cobb sip from a cup. but It's contents could no,
have been strong lie remembered one speech on n
pension night which hc thought giraffe la, Old mn,
ait ibuc II 10 liquor. Mr.. Fellows Of Now orn and
Mr.. mnlcler, 81 P"nnsyvnna. testified I'm drn,,, q,
the truth Of Mr. WatsonS chnrers. nnd 81 did Mr.