Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-24
\ REMARKABLE CONTEST
Spooner Has Undertaken to Down" Til
man in the Senate.
The Little Wisconsin Ulysses Engaged
In an Attempt to Dispose of the
south CaroIinian,

A remarkable contest is in progress in the
United States Senate. 1t is trial of
strength between two men, such might
be witnessed in the arena or the prize ring.
Spooner has undertaken to down Tillman.
The South Carolina senator has been swash-
buckling about the Senate, with never
man daring to stand up against his rude
attacks. until he has excited the inpatience
and the pride of Spooner. The little Wis
consin Ulysses has undertaken a settle
ment with the South Carolina son of the
Cyclops. 1t is an unequal contest in point
of size and physical strength. The resound-
| ing sound of chaos in the caves of the sea
thunders forth in the crude eloquence of
Tillman. Long has he tyrannized over the
Senate, his huge club raised to crack the
first head within the range of his vision.
The mighty in debate have shrunk from
the contest with him, because his weapons
were not those which they have been train
ed to use. Satire, history. Philosophy and
figure of speech have had their edge turned
against his blunt effrontery. His club has
swept the lighter weapons aside: his voice
has rung through the chamber and echoed
through the arched corridors, down to the
most cavernous recesses of the Capitol.
When a sound like the gnashing of teeth
has reached the most remote recesses of
the subbasement men have said, .'Hark,
Tillman SpeakS''
Spooner has sat and pondered. growing
impatient as he pondered. how to overcome
and silence this imperious interrlpter of
the harmony of the Senate-and of sound
Finally he resolved to take the field
against this eater of senatorial sheep and
breaker of parliamentary hric-a-brac. Now,
What the public may take to be debate
between these two men over the Porto
Rican tariff and the Philippines is a per-
sonal hand-to-hand struggle to overthrow
and resistance against being overthrown
spooner has undertaken to libcrate his col
leagues from Tilfman's tyranny. Two men
more utterly unlike could not be chosen.
I1llman Is massive, raw-boned man,
RetaVy or hand, harsh of speech. rambling
and reckless in his choice of language fiery
In his eloquence, his one eye Swapping like
an electric spark when he speaks, and his
attack is that of a giant who swings a
club.
Spooner IS small, alert, skilltul and atlroit
IN debate; an orator, logician, when con-
Venient to be So and most artistic sophist
when need be- Since the session began he
has been measuring Tilman for an attack
He has approached his adversary with eau
ton, making a thrust here and a thrust
there as opportunity afforded, to test his
vulnerability. Satisfied with these tests
ana impatient of the almost daily ''lambast-
inSs which the republican senators have
sun ared. he has become bold and aggreS-
sfve. Now, if South Carolina CycIop lifts
his voice Spooner rushes quickly to the
front. Armed with a keen blade, against
the others club, he thrlsts and parties and
in each attack shows greater skill He at
lacks from all sides at once until his a.
versary Is breathless in trying TO beat him
off and is angered with the smart from a
hundred wounds. The interest in the Porto
Fdcan appropriation conference report was
centered, not on the fate of the bill but on
the grsat battle between these two SEEM
tngly, unequally matched adversaries
and when Tillman was fairly driven at bay
seated and almost sienced-the men who
have suffered from his uncouth attacks
broke silence to taunt him. laughing and
cheering a. his discontinue
But while discounted then, Tiilman has
not yet been silenced. and the struggle
between skill and crude force will probably
go on during the rest of the session.
Spoonsr continuing as the special champion
to defend his party against this rugged and
erratic foe