The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-02-25
Effort to Bring About United Action
on Part of Majority.
HAWAIIAN BILL IN SENATE.
Mr.. Tillman Attacked the Bill in q
Vehement Speech and Incidental
ly ArraiSned Senator Morgan
for Alleged Lack OF Courtc-
sy in Refusing to Yield
for Il Reply.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-Througilout
the debate or the Porto Hican bill in the
House Of Representatives to-day there
was an undercuTent of speculation on
the outcome of the efforts to bring about
united action on the part of the ma
jority members of the House. Frequent
conferences were held between represen-
tatives of the various elements.
The debate brought out a speech by
Representative Tawney, of Minnesota,
scoring Mr.. Littleiield. OF Maine, for his
speech of yesterday, and also two
speeches from the Republican side by
Mr.. Tompkins. of New York, and Mr..
Powers, of Vermont. opposing the bill.
Mr.. Thayer, of Massachusetts,, closed the
day with a defence Of the anti-mperial-
lists. The other speakers we're Mr.. Eddy,
of Minnesota, for the bill. and Messrs.
Clayton, of Alabama, and Broussard, of
Louisiana, against it.
Mr.. Clayton, Of Alabama, was the first
speaker of the day, presenting q legal
argument against the bill. He maintained
that the United States military forces
held Porto Rico at the time OF the treaty,
and that the island became as much a
part of the United States as the Terri
tory Of Arizona.
MIR. LITTLEFIELD ARRAIGHIBD.
Mr.. Tawney,- of Minnesota, a member
of the Ways and Means Committee, en-
livenea-, the debate by a severe arraign-
ment Of Mr.. Littlefeld. of Maine, for his
speech of yesterday, attacking the bill
and its promoters.
what reason is there" exclaimed Mr..
Tawncy, for the unusual and unprece-
dented course of the gentleman from
Maine compelling him to leave the ranks
OF the Republican party and to join the
ranks OF the Democratic party? Why is
it that he should exhibit the want of
decent courtesy to the Ways and Means
Committee and to the distinguished gen.
tleman on the floor? Can it be the spruce
lumber interests of Maine who will have
to pay on their product entering Porto
Rico 50 cents per thousand feet? Is 1t
the people of Maine who raise their voice
against this? No, it is the lumber barons
of Maine, the oppresSorS OF the people
for whom the gentleman declaims so
fiercely.''
Mr. Lituefeld listened to the speech,
but made no effort to answer.
Mr.. Broussard, of Louisiana. opposed
the bill and. controverted the figures
given by Mr. Payne, particularly in their
reference to sugar and rice. AS to the
latter articles he said Porto Rico af-
forded a large market for the American
product which should be retained.
In the Senate.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 24.-Throughout
the session to-day the Senate had under
consideration the Hawaiian government
bill. The discussion took a wide range,
but the basis Of it was an amendment
offered by Mr.. Platt, Of Connecticut. as
to the appointment and tenure of office
of the judges of Hawaiian courts.
Mr. Tillman. Of South Carolina, en-
braced the opportunity to deliver a
characteristic speech, in the course of
which he made singing attack upon
Mr.. Morgan. Of Alabama, and vigorously
opposed many provisions of the bin,
particularly those which relate to suf-
frage.
Mr.. Penrose, of Pennsylvania, gave
notice that he would call up the Quay
case again on Monday and would in
sist upon its consideration. In course
of the consideration Of the Hawaiian
government bill, Mfr. Tillnlan. Demo-
crat, OF South Carolina, made 4 vehem-
ent attack upon the measure and ar
raicned Senator Morgan. of Alabama,
for alleged lack of courtesy.
THE oligarchy which exists In
Hawaii. declared Mr.. Tillman. "and
which this bill perpetuates, is powerful
and unscrupuous. 1t is an-autocracy
greater than ever existed outside Russia.
Z 81 sympathize with the Senator from
in his efforts to secure
appointed judiciary for the is
lands, a judiciary not controlled by the
oIigarchy which now has its grip on the
islands,
uNCOURTEOUS TREATMENT.
Referring to an incident which occurred
the otaer day, in which Mr.. Morgan, Of
Alabama, declined to yield to Mr.. TILL
man, to rci>ly to a statement made by
Mr.. sWolcott. of Colorado, concerning the
suppressed vote" Of South Carolina,
Mr.. Tiilman said: 81 have felt indignant
at the treatment 1 received from the
Senator (Morean). Never in my eXpe--
rience in the Senate have l been treated
SO discourteously by any member Of the
Senate.
Mr.. Morgan endeavored to interrupt
Mr.. Tillman, but the latter waved him
aside saying: II decline to yield to the
Senator He has put himself outside the
pale Of courtesy and consideration. SO
far as am concerned
He then explained the circumstances
Of Mr. Norgan,s refusal to permit him
TO reply to Mr. Wolcott.
..When I rose to explain the situation
in South Carolina as 1t was presented by
the Senator from Colorado. the Senator
from Alabama said: No, I cannot
permit you to speak now I'll leave you
to fight it out some other time
..It was the first time In my experience
that I have ever been refused u hearing
in like circumstances. No Republican
would have denied me the privilege be-
cause there is no man on that side of
the chamber so lacking in courtesy and
decency.' (.
NO LETHARGY.
Mr.. Tillman then explained that under
the present constitution of South Carolina
IL. 600 of whom were colored. Ninety-n,ne
per cent Of the. white vote in the State.
he said. was ID Democratic. In the summer
primaries fully ninety per cent of the