New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-27
RACE QUESTION DISCUSSED.
TILLMAN GLORIES IN SOUTHERN OUT
RAGEs-HAWAIIAN BILL AMENDED.

Washington Feb. Reconsideration OF the Ha-
wafan Government bill in the Senate To-Day
brought out a lively discussion between Mr. Till
man. of South Carolina, and Mr.. spooner, of Wis
consin In which the former admitted that ballot
boxes had been stuffed and negroes had been shot
in the South to maintain white domination An
amendment was made to the bill striking out the
property qualification of voters for members OF the
Legislature, but little other progress was made
Mr.. Tillman argued that his amendment subst-
tuting the suffrage provisions In the Constitution
of South Carolina in all senses better pro-
vision than that offered by the committee report
ing the bill. THE people of South Carolina, in
their Constitution he saId have done their level
best to prevent the 'niggers' from voting. What l
ask you to do Is to give the Kanakas and
Portuguese of the Hawaiian Islands the same
power OF suffrage in South Carolina have
given the niggers.'"
In reply a question from Mr.. Spooner. Mr..
Timan said that the 5000 property qualification had
been put into the South Carolina Constitution for
the benefit of the negro. mo provision was needed
for the whites he said. because the whites would
get through anyhow. We have some conscience in
the South to the treatment of the niger You
have been sneering at long time. and don't
like It,"
In a brief and temperate speech Mr. Spooner dep
recated 81 discussion this time of the race ques-
ton, which had been preciptated by Mr.. Tillman.
IF the Senator from South Carolina" said Mr..
spooner. wants a debate upon this question he
have It, have respect for the Senator and
regard for mis- ability but this Is not proper time
for discussion of the question. The Senator has
said that the people of South Carolina have sedu-
lousy excluded the negro vote. They are now
accomplishing their purpose through the State
Constitution but they did not always do 1t by con-
stitutional amendment"
Abiding to the pending amendment of Mr.. Gull
lom Mr. Spooner said: "I don't like a property
qualification for voters. There Is something Of
reason In educational qualification, but man.
hood suffrage is one thing and dollar suffrage Is
quite another. 1 do not know what may be done
by Congress with the islands acquired, but as to
the islands of Hawaii there men there who can
read and write. and I'll not vote for a proposition
to exclude a vote of any man because he has not
property qualification" He then appealed TO Mr..
Tillman to lay aside the bloody shirt"
Mr. Tillman replied that his only reason for re-
facilitating bloody shirt" before IT was finally
and irrevocably laid to rest that he wanted
the position of the Southern people understood
I'm getting tired of these taunts and sneers said
he. You won't let us alone"
1.-THE Senator won't let let him alone, sug-
gested Mr.. Spooner. amid laughter.
I'm every State where the whites have divided In
politics between the Democrats and Populists-and
it is in every Southern State except south Caro-
lina'-said Mr.. Timan. the 'niggers held the bal
ance of power. AS such they stand there as a
menace to a pure suffrage and to good government,
because they purchasable quantity educa ted
uneducated. We are charged with fraud and
the bqyonets had ccme to US again in 1876 we rose
ment We stuffed ballot boxes, we bulldozed the
niggers, and. shot 'em. And we are not
ashamed of it,
Leaning over, toward Mr.. sspooner, and shaking
his finger at the Wisconsin Senator, Mr. Tillman
said "What would you have done? You would
have done the same thing; 1 see it in your eye"
LaughterO
The amendment offered by Mr.. Cullom was
finally adopted. So, too the amendment of
Mr. Plat, of Connecticut which has been pending
for several days, relating to the appointment and
tenure of office of the judges of the Hawaiian
courts.
After the bill had been further amended. Mr..
Butler offered amendment giving to Hawaii the
postal savings bank system.
The amendment was supported by Mr. Butler
and Mr.. Mason, the latter declaring this was the
only civilized country in the world which did not
receive loans from the poor people of the country
the only Government which absolutely domi-
mated by the banks.
extend the postal SAVINGS bank system over a part
of the United States without making il general in
application and even if it were possible It would
postal savings bank depositors in Hawaii, as the
proposed amendment provided, when a bill was
about to be passed by Congress refundng the in
terest bearing debt of the United States at per
cent.
Without closing. discussion on the amendment.
the Senate SIP D. m. went into executive seS-
sion, and at 5:l5 p. adjourned