Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-01
Senator Turpie's Attack Upon Sena-
tor Aldrich.
THREE SPECIFIC fALSEH00DS ALLEGED
Mr.. Aldrich Makes a Very Brief
Reply.
TO COMPEL ATTENDANCE

monotopy Of the tariff debate yesterday by
making a brief speech. occupying a little
more than column In today's COMPRESSION
al Record. but probably more full of bitter
invective than any speech that has been de-
livered on the floor of the Senate for years.
Senator Aldrich Of Rhode Island. the man
ager OF the fight on the republican side of
the chamber. was the object of Mr.. Tur-
pies attack. Mr.. Turpie not only called
Mr.. Aldrich a prevaricator, but gave the re-
mark a sort of triple plating by alleging
that Mr.. Aldrich was the father OF three
distinct falsehoods. There are three mon
strous untruths." he said. after scoftng at
Mr.. Aldrich's intimation that the minority
of the finance committee had no chance to
amend the bill, which stand in the way Of
tariff reform. and which block even the con-
sideration of the first line Of this bill. Three
lies-gross, palpable: three lies basely born.
three lies with Uncomfortable mendacity. i
have no objection to legitimate debate. or
even to parliamentary delay, but why should
parliamentary obstruction be wholly COM
posed Of mendacity? Is there no way Of de-
feating the consideration Of a bill or of de-
laying II except by deliberate falsehood, not
only with respect to it's contents. but with
respect to other matters not before us,neyer
before US?
Three Fables.
To-day the honorable Senator from Rhode
| 1
the first place. there is bill being prepared
by the Secretary Of the Treasury to supplant
this one. which is to be the bill here to be
considered. The Senator from Rhode Island
says again there are either three or four
hundred amendments which have been
agreed to by the majority OF the committee
on finance which are to form a part OF the
bill Thirdly, that the present bill has never
been considered by the committee and is
not the bill which the committee on finance
intends to present to this body for Its ac-
ton. Why, sir, the bin presents in itself
very substantial body. 1t is not invisible;
it is not Intangible; 1t Is not myth; it Is
not fable The book containing 1t upon
our desks is even more substantial in its
stately presence than any Of those OF like
character which have before been submit
ted to us. / suspect, sir, that the fabulous
and nebulous fctions relating to this meas
ure exist upon the other side and rest large
ly with the honorable Senator from Rhode
Island"
Mr.. Turpie referred to the denials made
by Senators Harris Vest, Mcpherson and
VOORHEES,, and continued: Now. when four
gentlemen assert a thing to be false and
another asserts that he Is informed and be-
lieves that 1t is true, how could there be
more direct contradiction? How could there
be sharper issue on the point of veracity?
Where. then, shall we give credit? prefer
to believe and do believe absolutely the
statement of the four Senators have nam
ed, representing a majority of the commit
believe. as 1 was going to say, the lesser
number. but will correct the phrase dis
believe the lesser unit the exceedingly d.
minutive unit who asserts the contrary.
Who is the Author of the Reports.
who. then. is the father and author of
all these reports which for the last ten or
twenty days have been circulating in the
press and have been given a certain amount
of circulation in the chamber? Who Is the
father who claims their paternity except
the honorable Senator from Rhode Island?
He is equal to such paternity. He might
doubtless claim the fatherhood of many
more such things, such fctions, such false
hoods.
Il recollect very well when the state of
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
was represented during the discussion of
the Mckinley bill by an honorable prede-
cessor of the present honorable Senator
from Rhode Island" In this alIusion Mr.
Turpie referred to Mr. Aldrich himself, who
l think, was not SO rash as the present Sit
ing member. He was. perhaps, q man
more prudent, at least more cautious That
predecessor, sir, might have consented to
truths, but the triplet would have driven
him from the field in dismay.
senator AIdrich's Predecessor.
THAT predecessor, as Senators who serv-
ed with him will recollect was a young
man, younger than the present sitting
member. we'll versed in all the great fiscal
policies of the government as a drug clerk
Is acquainted with the mixtures on his
shelf; thoroughly conversant with all the
per cents incident to dutiabIe and nom
dutiable goods, with values and importa-
tons, as a retail grocer in Providence is
acquainted with such things and in such
manner and in such spirit he conducted
tarlI discussion. senators will recognize
the Ineaments and features of that wraith
the distinguished wrath of the predecessor
OF the honorable Senator from Rhode
Island. That wrath had other peculia r.
ties; he had an enormous development Of
cheek, of cheek which reached from the
chin and ear, on both sides, sheer down TO
the feet What, then, will be thought of
his thriftless successor, a man found With
out either chips or cheek when he attempt
ed to make the cali the other day?
Let me ask the Senator from Rhode
Island, when he assumes the paternity Of
these three fctions, how will he ever at
tempt TO rival his predecessor? Win he
excel him In tnsolence or mendacity? 1t Ia
utterly vain to try that. He can only hope
to rival him in that hatred of the truth
ana In that utterance and love of the false
which has always characterized the cham
pions and the cheats of protection"
A Very Brief Reply.
When Mr.. Turpie sat down there was a
shiver of expectancy, and all eyes turned to
Mr. Aldrich, who had sat during Mr.. Tur-
pies speech in an easy attitude, and with
MS customary smile of good nature adorn-
ing his handsome countenance Once dur
Ing the early part of the speech Mr.. AL
drich had risen but Mr. Turpie declined 70
be interrupted. and the object of his scorn
had waited until the walls of his wrath had
been emptied. Then he coolly rose and as
tonished his hearers by making a very
brief reply.
1t would certainly be unworthy of the
senate he said in a low tone, ito under
take 10 reply to the speech which has Just
been made by the honorable Senator from
Indiana. certainly do not suppose that In
the position which he now takes he repre-
sents anybody but himself and / have no
doubt, under other circumstances and I'M