The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-02
WORK ON THE MONEY BILLS
SENATOR'S ENDEAvORING To PASS
APPROPRIATION MEASURES.
Spirited Debate I'm the House ON the
Bill to Prevent Publication of
Reports of Prize Flights.

WASHINGTON, March 1--senator TILL
man. of South Carolina. provoked a turbu-
lent scene in the Senate tonight when he
charged that the armor plate manufac-
turers had their paid agents i'm that body
who were robbing the government. The
charge was resented by Senator Hawley. OF
Connecticut whereupon Mr.. Tillman replied
that "the CALLED jade winces," and IL looked
for a time though personal conflict
was imminent until Mr.. Hawley was es-
corted 10 the cloakroom.
Senators Hawley and Squire had spoken
against Senator Chandler's amendment to
the naval appropriation bill to reduce the
price of armor plate to $500 a ton. and Sem
ator ElSins had complained of the lack OF
information on the cost of the armor plate.
when Senator Tillman took the floor.
Although a member of this naval COM
mittee." began Mr.. Tilman. who following
Mr.. Elkins, land although have given as
much time TO this question as 1 could spare
from my other duties, am not able TO give
the Senator much information he
wants. But am able to say" he added
with emphasis. that no recent expenditure
of the government has been reeking with
fraud and so disgraceful TO those connected
with it" When Secretary Whitney made
the first contracts for armor plate 1t was
understood Mr.. Tillman said, that these
enormous prices were to be paid only for
time. and on account of the great ex-
penditure necessary TO build an armor plate
plant. The navy was now beginning
to be something respectable. When last
year. under the imretus OF the Venezuelan
war scare the House had sent a proposal
for four battle ships TO the Senate the num-
ber had been fixed at three because there
were only three yards In the country that
could build such ships. The three COM
panies had agree on the prices. had bid in
collusion, and consequently the government
paying a million and a half more
for these ships than was necessary. Then
coming TO the armor plate question he said:
Instead of rs controlling the noncpolies.
the monopolies have this Senate in their
vicious pocket"
Senator Hawley at this charge half rose
from his chair as though he would interposs
an objection, then changed his mind and
sank back.
TILLMAN's CHARGE.
II would hate TO say or even insinuate,"
Mr.. Tillman continued, twirlng his glasses
in his hand, that these armor plate manu-
facturers have their paid agents in this
Senate"
Then Mr.. Hawley rose, beginning: Docs
| the Senator dare
Mr.. Tillman took the words from his
| mouth. Il dare TO say" he shouted, that
| so far as / can see there are things here
that can be explained on no other theory"
III the Senator dareS To say or even to
lnslnuate such a disgraceful thing he says
| what is untrue and what is unworthy of y
gentleman" Mr.. Hawley replied very de-
| liberately and emphatically.
The galleries were crowded, and at this
exchange OF charges a deep hush succeeded
tor 1lFxaaw
ruffled He thrust "A hand i'm his trousers
| pocket nonchaiantly, and looking over To
| Senator Hawley coolly returned: To thar
| can only say 1t is the CALLED jade that
Senator Hawlcy turned pale and trem-
bled visibly. IF the Senator applies THAI
| angrily.
| Two or three other Senator's gathered
| round Senator Hawley, endeayoring APP
parently TO calm him. Finally he walked
| with them into the cloakroom while Sem
| ator Tfllman continued his speech. II
don't want TO say anything harsh" ne said
| now"
Going on with the subject of arrnor plate
Mr.. I1llman said he could see no explana.
| ton FOR the state OF affairs, except that
| the manufacturers had their friends in the
| Senate chamber There was proof that the
| government was 20 be looted 10 the extent OF
two or three millions, yet senators said We
| can't help IL. The trusts had the govern
| ment down and their hands i'm its pockets
| yet II any one opposed them, IL any one
proposed that the government do its own
| work, make its own armor plate senator's
| were quick TO bring out the awful spectre
| or Socialism Said Mr.. Tillman: The
| country's eyes are on us. We are already
| dtsgraced because we do not hasten 10 do
| the bidding OF Wall street fast enough.
| The touch OF the button between Wall
| street and the Senate seems TO have been
J broken somewhat lately and so the metro-
politan press Is set upon Is To whip Us
| into line"
| Continuing. Mr. TilIman said there was a
| still darker page in the history OF the deal
! ings OF the Carnegies with the government
He referred to the charges of making de-
| caught" he said. but they " re released.
The secretary imposed a fine. but this gleri-
| goes out OF Office IN two days more. remit
| ted the fine. And yet I'm the face of these
| facts. a senator with his thin skin gets up
| and undertakes TO twit me with slanderins
! the Senate"
THE HOUSE ROASTED"
He continued TO lecture the Senate. say
ing he had no doubt the proposition would
| go through. The old guard never sur
! renders" he exclaimed. You get UP here
and squabble over your little $4,000 items
| and let these million-dollar steals go
through like creased lightning" He had.
| he said. convinced himself that the cost OF
producing armor plate did not exceed 500
per ton. He said. however, that the naval
committee had placed the amount at 500
because it was necessary TO do so In order
| TO reach an agreement and also because
| they had in mind that the bill must run the
| gauntlet OF the House where. he said.
| gag law il I'm full force and effect. where
| a man. a free American. must crawl on
| his belly like a worm, or fawn like whip
| ped cur 10 get any recognition for any
| thing" He said they had also borne In
| mind that IL would have 10 run the gaunt-
let OF the moguls OF the Senate COMMITTEES
| on appropriations.
| Mr.. Quay followed this speech with a mo-
| tion 10 lay Mr.. Chambers motion TO reduce
| 20 $500 per ton on the table. The motion
4 iocs in Ia