Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-05-04
CONGRESSIONAL.

CONGRESSIONAL.
In the Senate yesterday during the
consideration of the bill known as the
'free homestead bill" an amendment
was offered by Mr.. Morgan giving all
public lands not taken up by homestead
entry on January l, 1890, to the several
States and territories for educational
purposes.
Mr.. Morgan's proposition aroused
much opposition. The debate was en-
ivened by sharp exchange between
Mr.. Tillman, of South Carolina, and
Mr.. Morgan. Mr.. Tillman advanced
down the middle aisle until abreast oil
Mr.. Morgan and then, in his charac
teristic style, with index finger aimed
at the Alabama Senator, began firing o
volley OF questions on the justice Of
giving all the government lands TO GER
tain State., thus deprivng the other
States of federal aid to education.
Don't you suppose" said MIR. Till
man, THAT we have as many poor
children needing education as you have,
and as matter of decency do you pro-
pose to gobble up all these lands 2"
81 am not gobbler," returned Mr..
Morgan, $50 that the rules applying to
gobblers do not apply to me-"
Mr.. Tillman insisted that the Nor
gan proposition meant that one class OF
States was to gobble up up all the
lands. He added that his State already
had done much for Mr.. Morgan's State,
peopling it and redeeming it from the
Indians.
"Ifso," replied Mr.. Morgan, with a
touch OF sarcasm, 81 am willing to vote
to return to South Carolina all the peo-
pie she ever gave to Alabama"
~ have never heard it intimated
that they were notrespectable people, y
said Mr.. Tillman.
Respectable and poor" observed
Mr.. Morgan.
"Yes, poor, God knows" continued
Mr.. Tillman. 'And because we are
poor we protest against your stealing
what they have left"
For the first time Mr.. Morgan show
ed signs of irritation, and turning to
the presiding officer Mr.. Mantle being
temporarily in the chair he protested
against the use of the words "gobble"
and stealing" Without waiting for q
ruling from the chair the colloquy pro-
ceeded.
"If it is not stealing, it is very much
akin to it," remarked Mr.. Tillman.
MIR. Morgan made an iropical allu-
sion to Senator Tillman's connection
with the South Carolina liquor law.
1--WE have made the liquor laws Of
South Carolina so as to benefit the
poor, educate the children, reduce
drunkenness one.half and shut up
every barroom in the State" respond.
ed Mr.. Tillman. He added that he
would later discuss the South Carolina
liquor law, showing how it could be
we'll applied to other States.
Mr.. Morgan, somewhat ruflled, said
he would not have entered upon this
subject if he had thought it would lead
the Senator (Mr. Tillman) into such an
Intoxicating strain. II have been here
long time" continued Mr.. Morgan,
land this is the first time Senator has
attempted to take me off my feet by
remarks personally offensive, even
though uttered in q spirit of levity and
badinage."
After Mr.. Morgan had discussed the
merits of his amendment Mr.. Tillman
secured the floor and disclaimed any
purpose speak fippantly or discour
teously to Mr.. Morgan. Mr.. Morgan
finally withdrew his amendment, in or
der not to embarrass the bill, and an
agreement was then reached that q final
vote be taken at p. N. to-day. The
Senate then adjourned.
The issue was made in the House
Yesterday on the Speakers policy of
postponing the appointment of commit
tees. When the vote was taken on the
proposition to appoint the committees
the Speaker was sustained by practical
" the solid vote of his party, assisted
by thirty-three democrats, under the
leadership Of Mr.. Bailey. The resolu-
ton was defeated-yeas, 81; nays 124.