Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-06-15
SHARP EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE
TWO NOTED SENATOR'S.
HoAR DEFENDS THE SENATE.
SAYS TILLMAN's CHARGES OF COR
RUPTION ARE INFAMOUS.
MIR. TiIIman Says the Only Infamous
Thing in That Connection Is the
Senate'S Refusal to InvestI-
gate the Charges-Tar-
IN Bill Progress.

Washington. June 1.-THE senate debate
on the sugar schedule Of the tariff bill pro-
ceeded to-day with only one diverting incl
dent to relieve the monotony into which the
discussion has lapsed. This was the sharp
exchange between Mr.. Hoar, of Massachu-
sets, and Mr.. Tillman, of South Carolina,
representing the two extremes of senatorial
procedure. Mr.. Tillman referred to pub
lished charges of irregularity in connection
with the sugar schedule, and asserted that
the senate would stand convicted before the
American people II it failed to investigate
the charges. Mr.. Hoar calmly and impress
lively replied to this statement, his tone and
language being calculated as a rebuke. He
declared that the vague charges of irreg-
ularity were not only preposterous. but in
famous Mr.. Allison. in charge of the bill,
made another speech in defense of the
schedule. presenting tables which he de-
clared proved that the sugar refiners re-
ceved less protection under the senate
schedule than under the existing law. Mr..
Pettigrew spoke at length in favor of his
amendment to place on the free list arti-
cIes controlled by trusts. severely arraign-
ing the various largo trusts. Mr.. Allen
urged legal procedure against the trusts.
Only one roll call occurred during the day,
on Mr.. Lindsays amendment to place all
sugars on the same basis. This was reject
eds to %. Mr.. McEnery, Democrat, of
Iowa, voted with the Republicans In the
negative, and Senators Pettigrew and Man
tie with the Democrats in the affirmative.
The Hoar-AlisOn incident was brought
on when Mr.. Hoar offered his amendment
for the appointment by the president of a
commission of five members to investigate
into the subject of sugar production and
the best means of supplying the American
market at the least cost. Mr.. Hoar urged
that his proposed commission would COM
mand the best talent of the country in pre-
senting to the senate the fullest informa-
tion concerning sugar. Next to the devel-
opment of our virgin wheat fields, the de-
velopment Of the sugar beet would be the
greatest boon TO agriculture. The trainers
of the tariff bills were honorable men and
although it had been suggested in the press
that somebody had been bribing senator's
those statements. said Mr.. Hoar are re-
ceived by serious people throughout the
country with absolute contempt" The
amendment was referred to the finance
committee.
Mr.. Tillman then answered Mr.. Hoar
He said he had the deepest respect for the
integrity of the senator from Massachu-
setts, but perhaps he had become callous in
his long service, as was indicated by the
statement that the best people Of both
parties treat with contempt the statements
that there was irregularity in making the
sugar schedule. On the contrary, the peo-
pie wanted an investigation; they wanted
the honor of the senate vindicated or the
men who slandered it punished. For that
reason, Mr.. Tilman said, he had contem-
plated an amendment to Mr.. Hoars propo-
sitiOn so that the commission would not
only inquire into the mere machinery of
sugar making but also whether the sugar
trust has used undue means to control leg
islation, and to get at the root of how it is
and why il Is that the American senate
can't touch sugar without getting contain
mated"
Mr.. Hoar was again on his feet, and.
turning TO the South Carolina senator, said
there were some men who seemed TO think
that down beneath the body of the people
there was great mass of seething peo-
pie eager for extremes. He knew through
and through the character, purposes and
opinions of the men who get their living
from their farms and factories of Mass
achUsetts. "They are" he proceeded i'm
pressively, Simple sincere, honest, Hber-
ty-loving, God-fearing men. They think no
evil and the appeal to vile passions falls
on deaf ears with them"
The men who make up the farms and
the factories were the same the country
ever. he said. And 1 hold" he continued,
that, to the great body Of these people,
these charges are not only preposterous
but Infamous"
Mr.. Tillman again made reply. While he
claimed no special mission, he had come
from the farm, and from the people. and
to the senate more recently than the Mass
achusetts senator. He knew, he said. that
the only thing infamous in this transaction.
in the view of the people. was the refusal
to investigate, and this effort to hide be-
hind the senatorial toga" If the senate
persisted IN this. then 1t was disgraced
before the people. Public charges had
been made that bribery was abroad in
connection with this subject "and unless
you investigate. you stand convicted" as
serted the senator.
The senate then came back to the bill.