The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-22
4 QUESTION OF VERAc11Y.
II L. between senator lIarvts OF Tennessee
und md Cs--s~pouuent of Tho sun.

II IL between senator lInr~fs or Tennessee
nna mo os--.~ponuent of Tho sun.
WARRINGTON. Oct. 21.-For reasons which that
old gentleman did not see flt to acknowledge.
Senator Isham G. Harris Of Tennessee to-day
went to tho length OF denying the accuracy Of
the interview with him which THE Sun pub
lished the other day. 1t was the only inter-
view had with him. and the one by which THE
Sun paid him the high compliment OF select
Ing him to speak for the champions>of Senate
tradition. In that interview Senator Harris
said that the reason Mr. stevenson would not
put tho Repeal bill to n vote regardless OF the
rules. was that The would not live to do it"
This afternoon. toward tho close OF the SEES
sion. Dir. Harris occupied ten minutes in a
both painstaking and painful denial that no
said those words: This Is not the first time
that Senators have denied the reports OF repu-
table and responsible correspondents. though
the custom is not 80 common as to reconcile
the correspondents with the theory that 1t Ia
honorable for men In an exalted position to
use their rank and power In order to destroy
that which must always be tho chief and most
valuable stock In trade OF q correspondent. his
reputation and reliability.
Senator Harris. in his interview uttered SEN
tlments very familiar to all who are now Ia at
tendance upon the Senate. but they were pub
lished because 1t was known that their vio-
lence would surprise the country at large
They did surprise the country and this sur
prise took the form Of Indignation in the Re-
publican newspapers. These Journals have
taken the matter too seriously. perhaps and
have been pitching into the old gent eman In
long stretches OF loaded type. What the Senu-
tor now says he said to tho THE Sun CORE
spondent Is this:
Neither you tthe correspondent. nor the
Vice President. will live to see the time when
any official occupying that position will make
such q ruling"
Vol now print again tho words that he did
say. and the Issue must be his yeracity against
that Of THE Sun
"Now. Senator why couldn't vote be called for by
the presiding orlcsr whenever he wanted t' Why
didn't Mr. Morton call for it in bill timer"
Simply because he couldn't. No one but God cou,d
have invested him with tho authority and question
whether he could get It from that high source"
you have heard Senator U's suggestion that the
Vice President of tho Senate he is deter
mined to anu has the votes behind him Why
her
Because no cannot" said Senator Harria Tho
rules do not permit him to"
4" but IL he has the votes behind him -
mo matter" said Senator Harris. he cannot do
what there IL no rule or law 10 permit him to do"
" Hut, said the reporter OF Tax suS. do not think
me obtuse for pressing tho question, What pre-.
vent the Vice President from simply doing IL without
rule authority: Why can't he simply call for or
order vote"
Why. sir" said tho President pro tempore. speak
ing with impressive gravity. don't believe he would
live to accomplish It. Certainly lie would not he per
Etted TO do such a thing Moreover. sir do not DO.
nsSe that any man with the Standing and character
thAt would NJ him to attain tho office OF Wee
could nave so httle deceney empt or even to
wish TO attempt 10 defy the rules hni traditions that
have governed tia senate since che foundation of oar
GoSernmer."