The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-04
Lively Tilt Between the AIabamian
and the 'PitchfOrker" over the
Free Homestead Bill.
VOTE WILL BE TAKEN TODAY
$4,000 APPROPRIATED FOR THE
UNIVERSAL POSTAL CONGRESS-.
Reorganization of the Senate Conn
mittees Not Yet COmpIete-HOw
Some Members Will Fare.

WASHINGTON, May Ex-senator Tillman,
of South Carolina, was heard from briefly
and pointedly in the Senate to-day after a
silence of many weeks, and, as usual, his
remarks served to arouse a lively cOntro-
Versy. 1t occurred during consideration of
the free homestead bill. Mr.. Morgan pro-
posed an amendment giving, all public
lands unoccupied by 1900 to the several
States and Territories. Mr.. Hawley de-
clared this to be a startling proposition,
and Mr.. Tillman sought to oppose it by d
series of questions addressed to Mr.. Nor.
gan. Some of the questions referred to the
amendment as a proposition to "gobble'
and steal the interest of States in pub
lie lands. Mr.. Morgan, in turn, made sharp
and sarcastic rejoinder, and for a time SEN
ators and spectators were interested in the
animated cross fire. After Mr.. Morgan had
protested against the interruption as a
breach Of the privileges of the Senate, the
incident was closed by a statement from
Mr.. Tillman d~isclaiming any purpose of
being discourteous to the Alabama senator.
The Morgan amendment was Withdrawn,
and an agreement reached for a tnal vote
on the free homestead bill at 3 p. m. to-
morrow. Early in the day Mr.. Morgan en-
deavored to secure a vote on the cuban
resolution. 1t went over, however, at the
request of Mr.. Hale, of Maine, in order that
speeches in opposition may be made.
The attendance to-day was unusually
large, including Mr.. Allison and other mem
bers of the finance tariff subcommittee.
Among the bills introduced was one by Mr..
Chandler for the issue of certificates of in
d~ebtedness up to $50,00 600 to meet dehci-
encies in the revenues. The bill was re-
ferred to the finance committee. A resolu-
ton by Mr.. Pettus was agreed to asking
the secretary of the treasury for intorma-
ton as to the amounts paid as drawbacks
during the last ten years.
The Vest resolution directing the COM
mittee on to investigate and re-
port on the causes of the MISSISSIPPI Hoods
was favorably reported from the committee
on contingent expenses, Mr.. Gallinger stat
ing that il would be called up tomorrow:
The Cuban resolution was called up by
Mr.. Morgan, who asked for a Vote' out All
er debate it went over.
A Joint resolution by Mr.. Chandler was
agreed to without division, making I'M
mediately available $50,00O for the purpose
of the International postal congress ABOUT
to assemble here.
At l2:45 p. m. the Senate went into exec.
utive session, on motion OF Mr.. Davis, OF
Minnesota. The open session was resumed
at 2 o'clock, and the bill known as the
'free-homestead" bill was taken up; me
bill releases settlers on public lands ac-
uuired from Indians from the payments now
required by law and also gives free home
steads on such lands not now occupied;
An amendment was offered by Mr.. Nor
gan giving all public lands not taken up by
the homestead entry on Jan; l, l9U' 10 the
several States and Territories Tor educa-
tional purposes. Mr.. Morgan's, proposition
aroused much opposition. Mr.. HaWley
characterized it as a startling reversal or
the policy of the government, involving the
complete disposal of all public lands with
their incalculable wealth of mines and Tor
The debate was enlivened by a sharp ex-
change between Mr.. Tillman, Of South Car
lima, anG Mr.. Morgan. Mr; Iltima az
of Mr.. Morgan, and then. in his character
istic explosive style, with index flnger
aimed at the Alabama senator, began frlng
a volley of questions on the justice OF CIV
ing all the government lands to land states,
thus depriVing the other States OF tederai
aid to education: Don't you suppose, sald
Mr.. TilIman that we have as many poor
children needing education as you have,
and, as q matter ms tel f q dec1e an2ss 90 you propose
Z am not a gobbler," returned Mr.. Nor
gan; 80 that the rules applying to COB
Mr.. Tiiiman insisted that the Morgan
proposition meant that one class OF states
was to gobble up all the lands. lie added
that his State already had done much for
Mr.. Morgan's State, peopling it and re-
deeming it from the Indians.
IF so" replied Mr.. Morgan, with a touch
of sarcasm, IT am willing to vote to,return
to South Carolina all the people she ever
gave to Alabama"
i nave never nedru II lHSlhudltu lLdC
they were not respectable people, said Mr..
Tiliman.
Respectable and poor" observed Mr..
Eyes, poor, God knows" continued Mr..
TiIlman. and because we are poor we pro-
test against your stealing what they nave
For the first time Mr.. Morgan showed
signs of irritation, and, turning to the pre-
siding officer. he protested against the use
of the words ''gobble' and stealing
Without waiting for a ruling from the chair
the colloquy proceeded;
IF it is not stealing, it is very much akin
to it." remarked Mr.. Tillman.
Mr.. Morgan said it was not surprising to
hear of stealing from q senator who had
proposed to relieve his State from the fed
eral taxes on liquor.
I'VE 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"
responded Mr.. Tillman.
Mr.. Morgan, somewhat ruff1ed, said he
would not nave entered upon this subject il
(Tillman) into such an intoxicating strain.
Il have been here a long time" continued
Mr.. Morgan, land this is the first time a
senator has attempted to take me off my
feet by remarks personally offensive, even
though uttered in a spirit of levity and
b~adinage.
After Mr.. Morgan had discussed the mer-
its Of his amendment. Mr.. Tillman secured
the floor and disclaimed any purpose to
speak fippantly or discourteously to Mr..
Morgan to take him off his feet. This closed
the incident.
Mr.. Morgan finally withdrew his amend
ment. in order not to embarrass the bill.
An agreement was then reached that a
final vote on the bill he taken at 5 D.. m. to-
morrow. The Senate then, at $40 p. m, adj