Evening journal., 1897-03-02
TILLMAN CRIES FRAUD.
Charges Senators With Being
Paid Armor Plate Agents.
HEATED DEBATE ovERNAvAL BILL

WASHINGTON, March 2.-Senator TIL
man of South Carolina provoked a turbu-
lent scene in the senate when he charged
that the armor plate manufacturers had
their paid agents in that body who were
rohhing the government. The charge was
resented by Senator Hawley Of Connecti-
cut. whereupon Mr.. Iillman replied that
'the CALLED jade winces. and it looked
for time as though personal conflict
was imminent until Mr.. Hawley was es-
corted to the cloakroom.
The senate had under consideration the
naval bill. The naval committee had rec
commended a minimum price Of s400 per
ton for arinor. and Mr.. Chandler of New
Hampshire had moved to fix the price at
$500.
Senators Hawley and Squire had spoken
against Senator Chandlers amendments
TO the naval appropriation bill to reduce the
price Of arinOr plate to $500 ton, and
Senator EliSins had complained Of the lack
of information on the cost of armor plate
when Senator Tillman took the floor.
Although "a member of this naval COM
mittee," began Mr.. Tillman, who follow
ed Mr.. Elkins, and although have given
as much siiaS to this question as l could
spare from my other duties / am not able
To give the senator as much information
rs he wants.
"Reeking with Fraud" Said Tnlman.
But l am able e. say he added, with
emphasis, that no recent expenditure Of
the government has been so rocking with
fraud and so disgraceful to those connect
ed with it, When Secretary Whitney made
the frst contracts for armor plato, it was
understood that those enormous prices
were to be paid only for time and on ac-
count of the great expenditure necessary
to build an armor plate plant. The new
navy was now beginning to be something
respectable. When last year, under the i'm
petus of the Venezuelan war scare the
house had sent o proposal for four battle
ships to the senate, the number had been
fixed at three, because there were only
three yards in the country that could build
such ships The three companies had
agreed upon tho prices, had bid in collu-
sion and consequently the government
was paying over 81, 800, O0o more for these
ships than was necessary - Then coming
to the armor plate question, he said In
stead of us controlling the monopolies the
nonopolies have this senate in their Vi
cious pocket"
Senator Hawley at this charge half rose
from his chair as though he would inter
pose an objection then apparently changed
his mind and sank back.
MOulQ udlc 10 StiA OF tfCu lDhlnutlef
Mr.. Tillman continued, twrling his glass
es in his hand, that those armor plate
manufacturers have their paid agents in
this senate -
Then Mr.. Hawley arose, beginning,
'Does the senator dare
Mr.. Tillman took the words from his
mouth Il dare to say. lie shout d. that
50 far as 1 can see there arc things here
that can be explained on no other theory. -
''If the senator dares 10 say or even to
insnuate such disgraceful thing. he says
what is untrue and what is unworthy a
gentleman" Mr.. Hawley replied very de-
nberately and emphatieally.
The galleries were crowded, and at this
exchange OF charges deep hush succeeded
their buzzing Senator Tillman was un-
rufied. He thrust his hand in his trousers
pocket nonchalantly and, looking over at
Senator Hawley, cooly retorted, To that
1 can only say, it is the CALLED jade that
winces. "
Almost Personal Encounter.
Senator Hawley turned palc and trem-
bled yisibly. III the senator applies that
to me, l have a sufficient answer, he said
angrily.
Two or three other senators gathered
around Senator Hawley, eudoavoring ap-
parontly to calm him. Finally he walked
with IlCIn into tlle tlCNklOOin. WDllt 0on-
Rtor Tillman continued his speech.
81 don't want to say anything harsh, -
he said. "God knows I've got enough Wit
riol in me now.
Going on with the subject of armor
plate. he said he could see no explanation
for the state Of affairs except that manu-
facturers had their friends in the senate
chamber There was proof that the gov.
ernment was to be looted TO tho oxtent oi
$4,000 600 or 50, 900, 600, yet senators said
We can't help it. -
The trusts have the government down
and their hands in its pockets, yet il any
one opposes them, If any one proposes that
the government do its own work, make its
own armor plate, senators arc quick to
bring out the awful specter of socialism.
The country's eyes are on us, - contin-
ued Mr.. Tillman. We are already dis
graced because we do not hasten to.do. the
bidding Of Wall street fast enough Tho
touch Of the button between Wall street
and the senate seems to have been broken
somewhat lately, and so the metropolitan
press is set upon us to whip us into line y
Charges Against Carnegie.
Continuing. Mr.. Tillman said there was
still darker page in the history Of the
dealings Of tho Carnegies with the govern.
ment He referred to the charges of max
ing ueiectiNe arlnor IN 1879. The thieves
were caught he said, "but they were re
leased. The secretary imposed a fine, but
this glorious president of ours, who
thank God, goes out OF Office in two
days more, romitted the fine. And yet. in
the face Of these facts, a senator with his
thin skin, gets up and undertakes to twii
me with slandering the senate.
He continued 70 lecture the senate say
Ing he had no doubt the proposition would
60 through The old guard never surren
ders, he exclaimed You get up here
and squabble over your little SIC, 600 item.
and let these s., 900, 600 steals 20 through
like creased lightning.
He had, he said, convinced hims self thai
the cost of producing armor plate did moi
exceed 5000 per ton. He said. however
that the naval committee had plnoed TIN,
nmount at S4O0 because IL was necessar,
to do so in order TO reach an agreemen
and also because they had In mind thai
io fI..f, ,tF