The Portland daily press., 1897-05-29
TILLMAN'S PlTCHPORK.
South Carolina Statesman Uses It
Freely in Senate.
HE FREELY CHARGES MEMBERS
WITH CORRUPTION.

Dictated by the Trust-Articles in yari
GUS Newspapers Quoted and Name.
Given-Inyestigation Demanded-Good
Progress on Tariff Bill.
Washington, May 2S.-After a lone
period of silence Senator Tillman OF
South Carolina startled the Senate today
by speech no less dramatic in it's deliy-
cry than sensational in its allegations.
He preceded it by presenting resolution
for the appointment Of special commit.
tee of five senators to investigate charges
of speculation by Senators while the
tariff bill was before the finance commit
tee. In advocating the bill Mr.. TilIman
threw aside the usual conventionalities
of the Senate and with a plainness of
speech seldom heard about theshalls of
Congress, called on his associates to in
vestigate the published charges of sena-
torialspeculation, and if found true purge
the Senate of those who debauched it.
The Senator had published articles read
from the desk, stating that Senators had
recently made large sums of money in
speculating in sugar stock, and on one
instance the name of Senator was
mentioned. Mr.. Tillman spoke for near :
ly an hour, every line of his speech being
punctuated with intense invective.
The Tillman resolution was referred to
the committee on contingent expenses f
the Senate.
Washington, May Ex-senator Frye of
Maine presided in the Senate today in the
absence of Vice President Hobart. Wan
ing interest in the tariff debate was indi-
Gated by the comparatively small atten-
dance on the floor and in the galleries.
A monster petition said to bear the
names of 15,0oo.citizens of Philadelphia,
was presented favoring Cuban indepen-
dence.
EMr. Cullom (Rep. Ill.) gave notice of
two amendments to the tariff bill.
One of them proposed to strike out the
item increasing the tax on beer, and to
substitute a tax of 70 cents per gallon on
distilled spirits.
Mr.. Tillman of South Carolina called
attention to the absence of quorum.
This disclosed 50 Senators. Mr.. Tillman
then rose to a question of privilege and
presented a resolution for another inyes-
tigation. The resolution recited the
work of the last Investigating committee.
the present imprisonment of Elverton r.
Chapman, and the acquittal yesterday of
Havemeyer' on "a technicality. 1t recites
reports of the last 80 days that Senators
have speculated in sugar stocks and that
advance reports on the sugar schedule
reached New York speculators The
resol ution proposed the appointment of a
new committee of investigation, to be
made up of five Senators, who are to be
fully empowered to summon witnesses
and call for papers in connection with
their inquiry. The resolution omitting
the preamble is as follows:
Resolved that a committee of five be ap,
pointed with powers to send for persons
and papers, to employ a stenographer and
to administer oaths, to inquire into the
truth or falsehood of the charges made
In May 1894 and into the charges recently
made, and the scope of the investigation
shall cover everything embraced in the
resolution of May II, 1894, as well as the
methods pursued by the American Sugar
Refn1ng company, better known as the
N It's favor at the present time, and es-
oecially whether it has in any wise con
jr1buted to, or controlled the election of a
senator in this body at any time.
Mr.. Frye promptly ruled that the reso-
ution should go to the committee on con-
jingent expenses, but Mr.. Tillman was
lot to be stopped. He asked consent to
make statement on the resolution and
his being granted the South Carolina
senator began speech which proved to
'e one OF the most sensational the Sen.
ste has heard in recent years. Mr.. Till
nan spoke with his characteristic yipor
# voice, which fairly rang through The
'halnber and corridors, adding expressive
gestures to his utterances.
"We have arrived at the time,'' he de-
Jared, when the Senate can no longer
sHord to rest under the damning accu-
atlons made against Senators. If there
re men here debauching the Senate then
We should be purged Of them If these |
eports are ISLANDERS then the press CALLER
es should be purged We cannot afford |
o lay back on our dignity any longer and |
ay we will not investigate. -
Both parties were face to face with this |
candal, he said. The former sugar in. |
estigation sought to learn whether mem
ers OF the finance committee, then Demo- |
rats, were bought and sold like cattle.'' |
That investigation involved the Presi- |
ent, the secretary of the treasury and !
he finance committee. Now, he added /
ve have the same question: but the par |
les are changed and nothing but coward |
90 would prevent Senators from energetic |
ction to protect our good name. 1t /
yould be recalled, he said, that it was
arged that PRESIDENT Cleveland meet !