The Portland daily press., 1897-06-28

/
speech--A Dramatic Scene in 4he Tariff
Debate.
Washington, June a6.-An abrupt and
startling halt in the tariff debate occurred
in the Senate at $50 O'Clock today, when
| in the middle of a passionate speech,
Senator Pettigrew, Silver Republican of
South Dakota, was stricken with paralysis
of the vocal cord which brought his
vehement speech to close with a
sentence half uttered. The Senator was
not physically incapacitated except in the
sudden loss of the power of speech. AL
| though he took his seat unaided, his asso-
ciates felt that grave possibilities were
| involved in such all attack. They were
quickly by his side and he was ministered
to with as little confusion as possible.
taken home by his friends. The debate
proceeded but no further progress ON the
tariff bill was made and the awe-like feel
ing occasioned by this incident led to an
adjournment at 8 O'Clock.
The Senate started today on its second
passage through the bill, the purpose
being to dispose Of all items previously
passed over. The paragraphs considered
were in the chemical and earthern ware
schedule and failed to elicit more than
technical debate, except in the unfortu-
nate instance terminating with Mr.. Pet
tigrew's aff1iction.
| During the discussion Of the tariff bill,
| ofN of
of the finance committee, fullers earth,
wrought or manufactured, was added to
paragraph IS, at 50 a ton.
| This precipitated lively controversy
between Mr.. Platt and Mr. Pettigrew,
Silver Republican of South Dakota, which
came to an impressive climax when Mr.
Pettigrew was overcome in the midst Of
his vehement speech.
| The South Dakota Senator had proposed
an amendment adding fuller's earth, un-
wrought or manufactured, at SO per
| ton.
| He referred to the amendment secured
by Mr.. Platt and to the advantages of
| being on the finance committee as q
means of aiding little refining mill in
| Connecticut, while the producers of
| fuller's earth were left out in the cold.
/ 4 wonder" he exclaimed passionately,
! 'swhether there is an instance of any
cross roads institution in Connecticut
that is not thoroughly taken care of in
this bill. If there be any it is an over
sight. And I suppose Pennsylvania gets
So ton on china clay because the Sena-
tor from Pennsylvania (Mr. Quay) has
four bushels of manuscript and has told
the committee he will bring it here un-
less he gets what he wants."
| The Senator then severely arraigned the
said, on the principle of enlightened self
| interest.
| Mr.. Platt replied intimating that Mr..
Pettigrew was for protection in some
things, and not in others and was in
spired by the fact that a bed of fuller's
earth had been discovered in South Dako-
ia.
This appeared to anger Mr.. Pettigrew
intensely, and with intense feeling and
rapidity he responded.
''The Senator says I am a protectionist
only in spots, exclaimed he with pas
sionate emphasis. eff to be protection
| ist means to vote duty of 705 per cent
in spots. If to be protectionist a man
must vote for a duty on sugar, purely
and absolutely for the benefit of a
gigantic and corrupt trust at the dictation
| of a caucus, then 1 am a protectionist
only in spots. =
The vehenence of Mr.. Pettigrew's ut
terance drew every eye to him. He began
another sentence. Then he hesitated and
made vain effort to articulate his words.
1t was thought to be momentary indis-
position. Senators waited for him to
proceed. Then it was observed that he
could not speak. Senators Mantle and
Carter were quickly by his side and water
was brought to him. He took his seat
without assistance and there was an awe
like stiffness through the chamber.
| Other Senators joined in the circle
about Mr.. Pettigrew's S desk. He retained
his color and was not, apparently, seri-
ously affected. Approaching the situa-
| ton, Mr.. Pasco relieved the strain by
proceeding with the debate on fullers'
earth. The paragraph finally went
over.
The paragraph on watch movements
was then taken up, but finally went over
at the request of Mr.. Jones of Arkansas
| At o'clock Mr.. Allison asked to lay
aside the bill and the Senate went into
executive session, adjourning soon after.
| Senator Pettigrew rallied rapidly this
evening and chatted pleasantly with his
family and a few friends who called at
his home. He was a little weak from the
effect of the attack but was greatly i'm
proved and said he felt quite well. There
was no fever or any unpleasant symptoms
growing out of the attack and he wanted
his friends eassured that he was not in a
serious condition. His physician antici-
pated no serious results.
Senator Pettigrew has recovered rapidly
from his illness of Saturday. He had so
for, sierbt 10, bo