The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-05-04
During Consideration of the Free
Homestead Bill.
A Vote to be Taken on the Measure
at Three O'Clock This Afternoon
Senator Morgan flakes an Effort to
luton, But the Matter Went Over,
at the Request of Hale of Maine.


Tillman of South Carolina was heard
from early and pointedly in the Senate
to-day, after an absence of many
weeks, and, as usual, his remarks serv-
ed to arouse a lively controversy. 1t
occurred during the consideration Of
the free homestead bill.
Mr. Morgan proposed an amendment
giving all public lands unless occupied
by 1900 to the several States and Ter
ritories.
Hawley declared this to be star
Ting proposition, and Tillman sought
to oppose it by a series of questions adj
dressed to Morgan. Some of the ques-
lions referred to the amendment as Ito
gobble" and steal the public lands.
Morgan in turn made a sharp and
sarcastic rejoinder, and for a time
Senators and spectators were interest
ed the animated cross fire. After Nor
gan had protested against the inter
ruption as a. breach of the privileges Of
the Senate, the incident was closed by
statement from Tillman, disclaiming
any purpose of being discourteOus to
the Alabama Senator
The Morgan amendment was with
drawn, and an agreement reached for
a final vote on the free homestead bill
at ) p. IN. tomorrow.
Early in the day Morgan endeavored
to secure a vote on the Cuban resolu
ton. 1t went over, however, at the
request of Hale of Maine, in order that
speeches in opposition may be made.
The Alabama Senator said he had
evidence in his possession showing that
under the present policy of General
Weyler which he declared is one of
starvation, the people of the interior
of the island are starving and naked
literally starving to death. 1t resulted
he said, from the orders herding the
people in the towns. Before the Sena-
tor from Maine was ready to speak
hundreds of people would starve to
death. Morgan declared that 200
Americans were among those starving
at Matanzas. Under such circuit
stances, if the Senators desired delay,
they must bear the responsibility, but
he could not, in the sight of God, bear
such a responsibility for a single day
Hale replied briefly, saying he differ
ed from Morgan as to the conditions
prevailing in Cuba. And whatever the
conditions were, they could not be i'm
proved by the resolution now offered,
but would be intensified. Il repeat
that there is no purpose to delay this
resolution" said Hale. Il will be ready
for a vote tomorrow, if necessary, il
other Senators are ready then; certainly
very soon. There is no desire to turn
the resolution aside"
The resolution then went over.
A joint resolution by Chandler was
agreed to without division, making i'm
mediately available SOC, 900 for the
purpose of the Postal Congress about
to assemble here.
At 12:45 the Senate went into exc
cutive session on motion of Davis of
Minnesota.
The open session was resumed at =
o'clock, and the bill known as the
free homestead bill was taken up
The bill releases settlers on public land
acquired from Indians from the pay
ments now required by law, and also
gives free homestead on such land not
now occupied.
An amendment was offered by Nor
gan giving all public lands not taken
up by homestead entry on January
1900. to the several States and Terri
tories for educational purposes.
Mr.. Morgan's proposition aroused
much opposition. Mr.. Hawley of Con-
necticut characterized it as a startling
reversal of the policy of the Govern
ment, involving the complete disposal
of all public lands with their meal
culable wealth of mines and forest.
The debate was enlivened by a sharp
exchange between Mr.. Tillman Of South
Carolina and Mr.. Morgan. Mr.. Till
man advanced down the middle aisle
until abreast of Mr. Morgan. and then.
in his characteristic, explosive style.
with index finger aimed at the Ala
bama Senator, began firing voIley Of
questions on the justice of giving all
the Government lands to land States.
thus depriving the other States Of
Federal aid to education.
Don't you suppose" said Mr.. Till
man, that we have as MANY poor
children needing education as you have.
and as matter of decency, do you
propose to gobble up all these lands? p"
II am not a gobbler,' returned Mr..
Morgan; 80 that the rules applying
to gobblers do not apply to me-
Mr.. Tillman insisted that the Morgan
proposition meant that one class of
States was to gobble up all the lands
He added that his State had already
done much for Mr.. Morgan's State,
peopling it and redeeming it from the
Indians.
IF So" replied Mr. Morgan with a
touch Of sarcasm, Il am willing to vote
to return to South Carolina all the peo-
pie she ever gave to Alabama"
Il have never heard it insinuated
they We're not respectable people," said
Mr. Tillman.
Respectable and poor" observed Mr..
Morgan.
Eyes, poor; God knows" continued
Mr. Tillman, land because we are poor
we protest against your stealing what
they have left"
For the first time Mr.. Morgan showed
signs of irritation, and turning to the
presiding officer, Mr.. Mantle being tenn
porarily in the chair, he protested
against the use of the two words. COB
ble'' and stealing" Without waiting
for a ruling from the Chair, the col