The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-03-03
Calling a Spade a Spade.
Tillman Stirs the Senate by
Denouncing the Armor
Plate Frauds.

Washington, March Senator
Tillman created decided sesatioB in
the Senate to night when he attacked
the naval appropriation bill and de-
nounced the Armor plate frauds in
the Nest bitter manner
The naval bill was under consider
alton and the pending amendment
was to reduce the cost of armor for
three ships to 100000
Mr. Hawley was opposed to the
amendment and spoke Of vexatioDs
encountered by manufacturers in
doing work for the government
Senator Tillman of South Carolina
then provoked a turbulent scene
when he charged that the armor plate
manufacturers had their paid agents
in that body who were robbing the
government The charge was re-
sented by Senator Hawley of Con-
nectiout, whereupon Mr.. Tillman re-
piled that "the CALLED jade winces, "
and it looked for time as though a
personal conflict was imminent, until
Mr. Hawley was escorted to the
cloak room.
although member of this Naval
Committee y began Mr.. Tillman.
who followed Mr. EIkirs, ''and al
though have given as much time to
this question as l could spare from
my other duties, l am not able to
give the Senator as much information
as he wants.
"Brt am able to say" he added
with emphasis, "that no recent ex-
penditure 70 the government has
been so reeking with fraud and SO
disgraceful to those connected with
it,"
When Secretary Whitney made the
fret contracts for armor plate it was
understood that those enormous
prices were to be paid only for time
and on account of the great expend
iture necessary to build an armor
plate plant.
Then coming to the armor plate
question, be said: '.Instead of us
controlling the monpolies, the mono.
polies have this Senate in their
vicious pocket Senator Hawley at
this charge half rose from his chair
as though he would interpose an OBJ.
lection, then changed his mind and
sank back
81 would hate to say. or even in
sinuate," Mr. Tillman continued,
twirling his glasses in his hand, "that
these armor plate manufacturers have
their paid agents in this Senate .
Then Mr. Hawley rose. beginning:
"Does the Senator dare ?"-''
NJ. Tillman took the words from
his mouth Il dare to say" be
shouted, "that so far as l can see
there are things here that can be ez.
planned on no other theory
"If the Senator dares to say, or
even to insinuate, such disgracefui
thing, he says what is untrue and
what is unworthy of gentleman. y
Mr.. Hawley replied very deliberately
and emphatically
The galleries were crowded and at
this exchange of charges deep hush
succeeded their buzzing Senator
Tillman was unruf1ed He thrust a
hand in his trousers pocket ncncha
lentiy and looking over to Senator
HawIey coolly returned: "To that
l can only say it is the CALLED jade
that winces"
Senator HawIey turned pale and
trembled visibly. eff the Senator
applies that to me, have sufficient
answer" he said angrily.
Two or three other Senators gath
cred around Senator Hawley, en-
deavoring apparently to calm him
Finally he walked with them into the
cloak room, while Senator Tillman
continued his speech.
81 don't want to say anything
harsh," he said "God knows I've
got enough vitriol in me now.
Going on with the subject of armor
plate, he said he could see no expla
nation for the etate of affairs, except
that the manufacturers had their
friends in the Senate chamber There
was proof that the government was
to be looted TO the extent of two or
three millions, yet Senators said :
eve can't help it. The trusts had
the government down and their hands
in its pockets, yet if amy one opposed
them, if any one proposed that the
government do it's own work, make
it's own armor plate, Senators were
quick to bring out the awful spectre
of socialism, said Mr.. Tilllman.
The country's eyes are on US
We are already disgraced because
we do not hasten to do the bidding