The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-03-04
NIGHT SESSION.

Senator Iillman OF South OafOllna pro-
vOked II turbulent scene in the senate to-
night when he charged that the armor
plate manufacturers had their paid agents
in that body, who were rObbing the gov
eminent The charge was resented by
Senator Hawey of Connecticut, where
upon Mr.. Tilman replied: 1.-The CALLED
Jade winces," and it looked for time
as if personal conflict was imminent
until Mr. Hawley was escorted to the
cloak room.
Senators Hawley and Squire had
spoken against, Senator Chambers
amendment TO the naval appropriation
bill to reduce thu, price Of armor plate to
$500 ton and Senator Elkins had com
planned of the lack of information on the
cost of armor plate, when Senator Till
man took the floor.
although member of this naval com
mittee.' began Mr.. Tillman. who fol-
lowed Mr.. Elkins. although have
given as much time to this question as
L could spare from my other duties, |
am not able to give the senator as much
information MS. he wants.
but am able to say" he added, with
emphasis. that no recent expenditure of
the government has been so reeking with
fraud and so disgraceful to those con-
nected with il.
"When Secretary Whitney made the
first contracts for armor plate it was
understood that enormous prices were to
be paid only for a time and on account
of the great expenditure necessary to
build an armor plate plant. The great
navy was now beginning to he something
respectable. When last year. under the
impetus of the Venezuelan war scare, the
house had sent proposal for four battle
ships to the senate. the number here 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 the prices, had bid in
collision and consequently the govern
ment was paying over million and n
half more for these ships than was neces-
sary.'
On the armor plate question he said:
''Instead of us controlling the monopo-
lies, the mOnopolies have the senate in
their pockets"
Mr.. Hawley rose as if to interpose an
objection. then changed his mind and
sank back.
II would hate to say or even in
sinuate," Mr.. Tillman continued, twirl-
! ing his glasses in his hand, that these
armor plate firms have their paid agents
in the senate"
Then Mr.. Hawley arose, beginning:
docs the senator dare"
MT. llllluH lOOk TIE NOTu HUN HIS
mouth.
81 dare to say" he shouted. that so
far as | can see there are things here that
can be explained on no other theory
IF the senator dares to say or even in
sinnate such thing. he says what is
untrue and what is unworthy of n gen
tleman," Mr.. Hawley replied, deliberately
and with emphasis.
The galleries were crowded and at this
, exciting exchange Il deep hush stopped
their buzzing
thrust n hand in his trousers pocket non
chaantly, and. looking over to Senator
Hawlcy, coolly retorted:
''ro that can only say that it is the
CALLED Jade that winccs."
Senator Hawley turned pale and
trembled visibly.
"If the senator applies that to me |
have Il sufficient answer" he said,
angrily.
Two or three other senator's gathered
around Senator Hawley. endeavoring aD-
drew with them into the cloak room.
while Senator Tillman continued his
speech.
II do not want TO say anything harsh,
he saida ''becausc have not enough
proof with me now
Going on. he said that he could not
explain the state of affairs other than
that the manufacturers had their agents
in the senate. The treasury was to be
looted TO the extent of two or three
millions. yet senators said ''wc can not
helD it." Said Mr.. Tillman:
'"The country's eyes are on MS. We
are already disgraccd because we do not
hasten TO do the bidding of Wall street
fast enough. The touch between Wall
street and the senate seems to have been
broken somewhere lately. and so the
METROPOLITAN press set upon us to whip us
into line"
Continuing. Mr.. Tillman said there was
q still darker shade in the history of the
Carnegie dealings with the government.
He referred TO the making of defective
armor in 1894.
"Thc thieves were caught" he said.
"but were released. The secretary i'm
posed fine. but this glorious president
of ours. who. thank God. goes out of
office in two days more, RENTED the fine
And yet, in the face of these facts, q
senator. with his thin skin. gets M and
undertakes to twit me with slandering
the senate"
He continued. saying he had no doubt
the proposition would go through.
"Let there be no surrender" he ex-
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