The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-19
TILLMAN AND HILL
Sharp Personal Exchanges Be-
tween the Senators.
PEFFER's BOND INQUIRY
Talked TO Death by the Senator
From New York.
THE PACIFIC RAILROADS DEBATE
A Very Sharp and Amusing Three Ger
nered Controversy Between
Senators Allen, Wocott
and Gear.

Senators Allen, Wolcott
and Gear.
Washington, Feb. 1S.-Thc session
Of the Senate to-day furnished a sue
cession OF breezy incidents. Little
actual work was accomplished, bnt
brief debates on number Of subjects
developed frcqueny sharp personal eN-
changes between the Senators.
Mr.. Hills (Dem., New York; ap-
pearance in opposition to the proposed
bond inquiry was the signal for
spirited debate. lie was opposed, he
said to any investigation at this time
by the Finance Committee or any other
committee. He deprecated the custom
of following up every idle runor, every
indefinite charge that the right thing
had not been done. The Senate had
not heretofore digniied such rtimors
by serious investigation. 1t was a
pandering to idle curiosity. The Sena-
tor (Peffer) who proposed this inquiry
did not make personal charges against
the President or Secretary OF the
Treasury.
but make the charges exclaimed
Mr.. Stewart, rising and moving down
the middle aisle.
Mr.. Hill waived Mr.. Stewart back
and declined to yield to the inter-
ruption.
''But let me make the charge in-
sisted Mr.. Stewart.
"The Senator will charge anything,
said Mr.. Hill, still declining to yield.
Mr.. Hill proceeded to argue against
Senate inquiries of rumors, when he
was again interrupted by Mr.. Iillman
| l)eIn., South Carolina.) The latter
raised his right arm and was abo'lt
to frame an energetic question when
Mr.. Hill positively declined to yield
to question, saying only few min
utes remained before 2 o'clock, when
the expiration of the morning hour
would cut him off.
Mr.. Tillman yielded reluctantly and
as he took his seat exclaimed: ut is
not the first time have seen the Sena-
! tor (HilD do up a resolution by talking
on until o'clock"
Mr.. Hill turned about, facing the
South Carolina Senator, and address
ing him personally, said: II will be
the Judge of how long and when /
speak"
'Undoubtedly,'' interjected Mr.. Till
man, ironically.
And" proceeded Mr.. Hill, II viii
| not be governed in my course by the
Senator from South Carolina, Till
man,
In the course Of the quick passages,
back and forth, the Yice-President's
gayel had been tapping up a lively APP
| peal for order.
Mr.. Hill went on with his opposition
| TO the investigation. He spoke of the
| ridiculous course of the Senate in en-
| tering upon the random reports that
| Senators were purchasing sugar
stocks. 1t would add distinct status
| TO the vague charges until the public
was led TO believe that all that Sena-
tors were doing here at Washington
was speculating in sugar stock"
Here there was tap from the chair
and the announcement Of 2 O'Clock
sent the PETER resolution to the cal
endar
II am sorry to stop in the midst of
such a sentence" said Mr.. Hill. Mr..
Hoar asked that the Military Academy
bill, which was the order Of business
after o'clock, should be laid aside to
allow Mr.. Hill to proceed. But Mr..
Hill smilingly declined TO proceed as
the Peffer resolution had now lost its
status and gone to the foot of the cal
endar
"As that resolution went TO the cal
endar at o'clock" said Mr.. Ill., Il
will proceed some other day"
Thereupon a shrill, whistIing sound
came from Mr. Tillman, indicating
that his prophecy as to 2 o'clock had
been fulfilled The shrill sound was
like drawn out 'Ah."
Mr.. Allen. of Neb., joined issue with
Mr.. Gear, Of Iowa and Mr.. Wolcott,
Eoyer the course Of the Pacific Railroads
committee, in conducting their inqui-
ry.
Mr.. Gear. chairman Of the committee
on Pacific Railroads, had called atten-
ton to the misapprehension that the
committee was hearing only railroad
officers and agents. On the contrary,
he said, full, and ample notice had
| been given to all parties who so desir-
ed, to appear The committee could
not undertake to subpoena patrons of
these roads. The latter could present
their views if they so desired.
Mr.. Allen insisted that the patrons
traders, etc, along the line had not
been invited to the hearing. The only
| persons heard were Mr. G. i. Hunting
| ton, Mr.. Winslow and other interested
parties.
There was a sharp three-cornered
debate between Messrs. Gear, Allen and
Wolcott as to the committees course.
Mr. Gear wanted to know Who Mr..
Allen desired to have heard.
Mr. Allen responded that the Farm
| ers' Alliance in Nebraska had large
fund of information. Why was it not
asked for?
I'VE have no official knowledge of