The record-union., 1897-06-27
Senator pettigreV Stricken With Paralysis
Of the Vocal Chords
When in the Midst of a Passionate
Speech.

Physically Incapacitated, Except In
the Sudden Loss of His Power of
Speech.
WASHINGTON. June 26.-An abrupt
and startling halt in the tariff debate
occurred in the Senate at 2:3U O'Clock
this afternoon, when in the midst OF
passionate speech Senator PetugreW
(Silver R.) of South Dakota was strick-
en- with paralysis of the vocal choros'
which brought his vehement speech to
a close with sentence half uttered.
The Senator was not physically incap-
acitated, except in the sudden loss OF
the power of speech. Although he took
he seat unaided, his associates felt that
grave possibilities were involved IN
such an attack. They We're quickly
by his side. and he was ministered to
with as little confusion as possible he
left the chamber soon after, and was
taken home by his friends. The de-
bate proceeded, but no further progress
on the tariff bill was made and the
awe-like feeling occasioned by this in
cident led to an adjournment at .
o'clock
Inc senate started tO-udg OIl 1Ao oCN-
ond passage through the bill, the pur-
pose being to dispose of all items pre-
viously passed over. The paragraphs
considered We're in the chemical and
earthenware schedule and failed to
elicit more than technical debate, ex-
cept in the instance terminating with
Pettigrew's affiiction.
Again to-day the acting Chaplain of
Talo
ferred in the course of his prayer to the
advent of prosperity, and that the long
and widespread period Of depression is
passing.
The attendance of Senators was very
meager. and as the tariff bill was about
TO be taken up, Vest called attention
to the absence of a quorum. Fifteen
minutes We're required to secure one.
Harris of Kansas, presented the re-
port on the Pacific railroads agreed to
by the Committee on Pacific Railroads
yesterday He also presented a report
giving the views of himself and Sena-
tors Morgan and Rawlins. which was
&1Ot agreed to by other members Of the
committee
Morgan, of Alabama, who concurred
in the report, said the situation de-
ate, as the agreement made by the ex-
ecutive branch relative to the sale of
the road on foreclosure at a minimum
price was about to be consummated.
He therefore announced that on Mon
day next he would ask the Senate to
consider the subject Morgan also Sc
verely criticised the course of the Gov
eminent authorities.
An7cor in of the tariff bill
said he hoped the Alabama Senator
would take no action tending to delay
the pending bill, as it was desirable to
get the tariff bill into conference. He
would. therefore. feel compelled to re-
sist taking up any other business until
the tariff bill was disposed of. The res
olution then went to the calendar.
The tariff bill was then taken up. A
contest arose over paragraph /, acids.
Allison asked to restore salicylic acid
to the dutiable list and Vest resisted at
considerable length.
On motion of Platt of Connecticut, of
the Finance Committee fuller's earth.
wrought or manufactured, was added
to paragraph SO at .p3 a ton.
This precipitated a lively controversy
between Platt and Pettigrew (Silver R.)
of South Dakota which came to an
impressive climax when PettigreW was
overcome in the midst of a vehement
speech.
The South Dakota Senator had pro-
posed an amendment adding fuller's
earth, unwrought or manufactured,
at So per ton. He referred to the
amendment secured by Platt. and to
the advantage of being on the Finance
Committee. as a means of aiding a lit
tie refining mill in Connecticut, while
the producers of fuller'S earth were left
out in the cold.
Il only wonder" he exclaimed pas
sionately, whether there is an instance
of any crossroads institution in Con-
necticut that is not thoroughly taken
care of in this bill. If there be any, it
is an oversight And / suppose Penn
sylvania gets So a ton on china clay
because the Senator from Pennsylvania
has four bushels of manuscript and has
told the committee he will bring it here
unless he gets what he wants.
The Senator then severely arraigned
the New England Senators, who acted,
he said. on the principle of enlightened
Self-interest-
Platt replied, intimating that Petit
grew was for protection in some things
and not in others. and was inspired by
the fact that bed of fuller's earth had
been discovered in South Dakota.
This appeared to anger Pettigrew,
and with intense feeling and rapidity
he responded.
THE Senator says l am protection
ist only in spots" he exclaimed with
passionate emphasis. If to be pro-
tectionist means to vote a duty of 100
per cent. on silk, then I am protec-
ZIONIST only in spots. If to be protec-
zionist man must vote for a duty on
sugar, purely and absolutely for the
benefit of gigantic and corrupt trust,
at the dictation of a caucus, then am
protectionist only in spots"
The vehemence of Pettigrew's utter
ance drew every eye to him. He be-
gan another sentence. Then he hesi-
tated and made vain effort to articu-
late his words. It was thought to be a
momentary indisposition. Senators
waited for him TO proceed. Then it was
observed that he could not speak Sem
ators Mantle and Carter were quickly
by his side and water was brought to
him He took his seat without assist
ance and there was an awe-like still
ness through the chamber
Other Senators Joined in the circle