The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-05-20
, SENSATIONAL SPEECH ABOUT
SENATOR'S SPECIALIZING IN
SUGAR STOCK.
LIVELY DEBATE ON THE TARIFF.
Was Accidentally Precipitated in
the senate--Jerry simpson Again
Liyened Things Up In the
House-The Indian Bill.

|
period of calm, the senate was consider
ably agitated today, first by discussion
Of the senate sugar investigation and
then by a preliminary skirmish ON the
tariff bill.
The Allen resolution to bring Elverton
r. Chapman before the bar of the SEN
ate was debated in a somewhat nOnoto-
nous style by Mr.. Tillman of South Car
DINA, who gave present interest to the
subject by referring to reports that sena-
tors within the last week had specialized
in sugar stock. As the representatives
of 7O,OOO,000 people, said Mr.. Allen, in
opening the discussion, 1--WE can not af-
ford to permit Mr.. Chapman, the repre-
sentative of a powerful organization
which, it has been charged, exercises
great influence over this body, to go I'M
whipped"
The discussion assumed legal and
technical phase, Messrs. Falkner of West
Virginia, White of California and Spoon
er of Wisconsin aruging on the law ap-
ping to Chapman. Mr. Chandler spoke
briefly, saying that he could not believe
a pardon would be granted Chapman.
The senator stated that he considered it
would be futile to undertake now to re-
open the sugar investigation of four
years ago.
Mr.. Tillman was then recognized for
u speech, which caused a distinct sensa-
ton on the floor and in the galleries.
at seems to me-" said MIR. Tillman,
"that we are not after Chapman. The
original investigation was not intended
to punish Chapman, but to discover
whether any senator on this floor had
been guilty of using his official position
to make money by specializing in stocks
which were influenced by his action as
senator on the committee which re-
ported the tariff bill. 1t is not worth
while to try to cover up this matter with
badinage and flippancy. The senator
from New Hampshire will excuse me.
l do not intend this as any reflection
upon his language, but it does appear
to me that he treated it rather flippantly.
"There are today in the newspapers
charges floating about and being sent
broadcast, signed by correspondents in
the galleries, to the effect that last week
when the new tariff bill was reported
with a changed sugar schedule that three
senators had speculated in sugar stocks.
We have another stencil on our hands,
and instead of it being n differential in
favor of the trust of 1-3 of cent, as
that was, it is now % of a cent in favor
of the trust.
"There are two correspondents who
have, over their own signatures, charged
that senator's have specialized within the
last week and made money. Now if you
want to investigate you have new rea-
son to investigate. If you intend to get
1T the true inwardness of the matter, to
get at the truth and to punish those who
are guilty, say so and do so, or else
hush. There is the whole substance of
it. We do not want Chapman. We want
Havemeyer. We want the man who
bought your men if they were bought.
That is what we are here for, and now
let the senator who moved to refer the
matter and who loves the dignity of the
senate as much as any other man, take
the resolution to his committee and bring
DiCh IleuSure tldt Will lHedH SOue-
thing. We can now make those men
who charged that senators have specu-
lated say where they got the informa-
ton, or we can punish them for con-
tempt. We can call ON Havemeyer and
the sugar trust grandees and make them
answer or put them in Jail for contempt.
Either Investigate so as to find the truth
and punish the criminal, or hush"
As Mr.. Tillman closed there was no
applause, but for moment there was Il
stir in the galleries which promised
something of demonstration. The de-
bate promptly proceeded, however, again
branching into legal channels, Messrs.
Hoar, Chandler and Allen taking part.
AT the request of Mr.. Allen, Mr.. Hoar
changed previous motion so as to have
the resolution referred to the committee
on Judiciary instead of the committee on
privileges and elections. The motion as
amended was agreed to.
MIR. Gallinger, from the committee on
contingent expenses, reported favorably
a resolution for the appropriation of
100000 for the relief of suffering Ameri-
cans iii Cuba. The resolution went to
the committee on foreign relations.
At 2:25 the senate went into executive
session.
At o'clock the senate again went into
opch SessloH anu Il tar1ft discussion was
shortly afterwards unexpectedly precipi-
tated. 1t occurred when Mr.. Aldrich
(rep0 of Rhode Island. of the finance
committee, stated he would modify the
announcement previously given as to
taking up the tariff bill on the 18th inst
Owing to unavoidable delay in prepar-
ing the comparative statement. the bill
would not be called up at that time. He
hoped however, to call il up on Thurs
day at least FOR Il preliminary statement.
In any event the bill would be taken up
on the following Monday.
Mr.. Jones of Arkansas. a democratic
member of the finance committee. said
he did not think general debate could
begin before Monday week. There was
no disposition on the democratic side of
the chamber, he said. to delay the bin,
and he expressed satisfaction that Mr..
Aldrch had deferred the debate until it
could be fairly examined.
MIR. Gallinger started the senate on a
debate by calling attention to the enor-
nous imports of wool in anticipation of
the new tariff laws. Under such circum-
stances, he said, ii was to be hoped par
tlsan feeling could be put aside and a
united effort made toward securing early
action
Mr.. White (dem.) of California re-
ferred ironically to this ''anticipatory lee
ture' to the democratic side. He hoped
democratic senators would not pursue the
| tactics of delay of the New Hampshire
senator during the previous tariff debate
Up to this time the republican members
| or the finance committee had occupied
| such time ms had been ciyan 70 fha hill