The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-05-29
South Carolina Senator breaks
His Spell of Silence.
AND STARTLES THE SENATE
HE ASKS FOR ANOTHER SENA-
TORIAL INVESTIGATION.
Mr.. ALDRICH TO The RESCUE
Defends the Sugar Trust and the Sen
ate Finance Committee he
I ariff Bill Dragging its
Length Along.
Length Along.

ariff Bill Dragging its
Length Along.
Washington, May 2S.-After a long
period of silence Senator Tillman, of
South Carolina, startled the Senate to-day
by a speech, no less dramatic in its deliv-
cry than sensational in its allegations.
He preceded it by presenting resolu-
ton for the appointment of special COM
mittee of five Senators TO investigate
the tariff bill was before the Finance
committee. In advocating the resolution
Mr. Tillman threw aside the usual con-
ventionalit;es Of the Senate, and with
plailness of speech seldom heard about
the halls of Congress called on his asso-
cgtes TO investigate the published charges
of Senatorial speculation, ard if found
true, purge the Senate of those who de-
bauched it. The Senator had published
articles read from the desk stating that
Senators had recently made large sums
of money in specializing in Sugar stock
and in one instance the name of a Senator
was mentioned. Mr.. Tillman spoke for
nearly an hour, every line of his speech
being punctuated with intense invective.
Mr.. Aldrich, in charge of the tariff
bill, answered Mr.. Tillman in a sweeping
denial of all irregularity on the part
of the Finance committee. and a specific
denial of charges that the Sugar trust
had dictated the sugar schedule to the
tariff bill
The Tillman resolution was referred to
the committee on contingent expenses of
the Senate
Considerable progress was made ON the
tariff bill, 13 pages being covered. Sew
eral votes were taken during the day but
the Finance committee had a liberal ma
jority in every instance. The Demo
cratic members of the Finance committee
made strong effort to reduce the rates
on window glass, but Their amendments
to this effect were defeated. The bill
will be considered tomorrow. the usual
Saturday recess being abandoned
During the morning hour Mr.. Cullom.
Republican, Illinois, gave notice of two
amendments to the tariff bill. One of
them proposes to strike out the item in
creasing the tax on beer, and to substi-
tute tax of 20 cents per gallon on dis
titled spirits.
Mr. Tillman then rose to a question of
privilege and presented a resolution for
another sugar investigation. The resolu-
ton recited the work of the last investi-
eating committee, the present imprison-
ment of Elverton II. Chapman, the ac--
quittal yesterday of Havemeyer ION
technicality." 1t recited reports of the
last 30 days that Senators have specula-
ted in Sugar stock and that advance re-
ports on the sugar schedule reached New
York spectators. The resolution pro-
posed the appointment of a new commit
tee of investigation, to be made up of
FIVE Senators, who are fully empowered
to summon witnesses and call for papers
in connection with their inquiry. The
resolution, emitting the preamble is as
follows:
Resolved that committee of FIVE be
appointed 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 re-
Gently made, and the scope of the inves-
tigation shall cover everything embraced
as the methods pursued by the American
Sugar Refining Company, better known
as the Sugar Trust, in controlling legsla-
ton in its favor at the present time. And
especially whether it has in any wise
contributed to, or controlled the election
of Senator in this body at any time"
Mr.. Frye, who was in the chair, owing
TO the absence of Vice President Hobart,
A. IL Al Al L,
20 to the committee on contingent ex-
penses. But Mr.. Tillman was not to be
stopped He asked consent TO make
statement on the resolution, and this
being granted the South Carolina Senator
began a speech which proved to be one
of the most sensational the Senate has
heard in recent years. Mr.. Tillman spoke
with his characteristic vigor of voice,
which fairly rang through the chamber
and corridors, adding expressive gestures
to his utterances.
I'VE have arrived at a time" he de-
clared, when the Senate can no longer
afford to rest under tie daInning aceusa-
tons made against Senator's. If there
are men here debauch.ng the Senate then
We should be Durged Of them. If these
reports are slanders, then the press gal
leries should be purged. We cannot af-
ford TO lay back on our dignity any long
er and say we fyill not investigate"
Both parties were face to face with the
scandal he SAID. The former sugar in
yestigation sought to learn whether mem-
bers Of the fiDance committee then Dem
ocrats, were thought and sold like cat
tle." That Investigation involved the
President, the Secretary Of the Treasury
and the Finance committee. Now he
added. we have the same question, but
the parties are changed and nothing but
cowardice woula prevent Senators from
energetic action5o protect our good name.
1t would be recalled, he said, that it was