The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-30
Mr.. MAS0N'S COMPLAINT
The Illinois Senator DenOunces a
British Consul.
a Newspaper Interview the Text for
Speech Against Great Britain
MIR. Honr Considers the senate AZ
frOntcd and Demands an ENcquatur
De Issued the Offending DipIomntist


was the usual amount of Monday routine
business, and at its close Mr.. Mason, ris-
ing to question of personal privilege
sent to the Clerks desk a newspaper clip
ping Of an interview with the British Con-
sui at New Orleans. which was read. In
the interview the consul was quoted as
saying that the British public is disgusted
with the position taken by the American
people and by some of the members of the
Senate on the subject Of the war in South
Africa. He was reported to have said fur
ther that this position had been taken be-
cause the American people are mercenary.
The consul considered the public utteraDces
as being particularly 'bombastic'' and
was quoted as saying that when Senator
Mason adopted the role of a mountebank
| and encouraged half civilized peoples, he
did so simply for SHOW and for votes"
Mr.. Mason declared that the statements
of the consul were scarcely worthy Of at
| tention, but that as the accredited repre-
| sentative of great nation they could not
| be entirely ignored This is not the first
! lime" continued Mr. Mason, that an at
tempt has been made by an English diplo-
| mat to run this country. and this will not
| be their first failure. So far as the personal
attacks on me are concerned. l do not
mind them. in fact they do me honor The
more venomous the attack OF the English
| on me and on those who think as do. the
more we are made the subjects of English
stupidity and asininity. the sooner will all
of the American people get on the right
side of this controversy"
Mr.. Mason declared that English officials
who were permitted to come to the United
States as friends, and who made such un-
friendly statements only attracted atten-
tion to the arrogance and cowardice and
brutality of the English Government" He
did not care to refer the matter to the
State Department as he could take care
of himself from that class of cattle .
There is one thing that should like TO
enquire about" he continued. What has
become of the arbitration treaty thu. was
submitted TO this Senate? | am told that
the United States Government canno,
mediate in this war until that treaty has
been ratified. II that Is so. want that
barrier against mediation shall be r.
moved" .srt,
Mr.. Mason then adverted to the resoIu-
tion Of sympathy with the Beers which he
had offered early In the session. He urged
the committee to which the rcsolu ion had
been referred to make a report on 1t in
order that a vote might be had upon it, II
it was not fair. he urged the Senate to
make II fair. but he did not want to be.
lieve that IL was buried in the committee.
as the London ne wspapers had announced
the morning after its Introduction.
Mr.. Mason continued his criticism OF
England. and said tbat he should refer to
the subject every day until some action
was taken By this Government He de-
nounced the war in South Africa as an
attempt on the part Of the English 10 get
possession of the rich mines there and
prophesied the failure of such an attempt.
Mr.. Hoar said that it was very serious
question which the statement brought to
the Senate'E attention called up. II was
that consul representing a foreign coun-
try at one OF our most important CONNER
eial ports. had uttered through the public
press violent attack not only on the char
acter of an indiv vdual Senator. but on the
character of the Senate and of the Ameri-
can people. The Senate. he was sure,
would never have chance to vote or that
resolution, but he would offer another
similar one and II would avail nothing to
send it TO the graveyard. because there
would be a resurrection of Il every morn
ing until he could get vote upon it.
"It seems then" Mr.. HOar continued
that as that matter has been brought Off
ciaily to the attention OF this body, it ought
not to drop without some action, and that
that action should be TO refer it to the
Committee on Foreign Relations. which
will deal properly with IL. My own hope
is that the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions would send the statement to the
President, or the Secretary of State. so that
either the consul's exequatur might be
withdrawn or the facts transmitted to his
government.
II regret the earnest and impassioned
attack that has been made by the Senator
from Illinois in the Senate, on the Gov
ernment OF a friendly nation know that
the attack came from that Senator's sym
pathy with u weak power struggling with !
a strong one
Mr.. Plat of Connecticut said that he |
wished to enter his protest against the |
abuse Of free speech on the floor of the |
Senate"
Mr.. Pettigrew. referring to his resolu- |
tion relating to articles contraband OF war. |
said that the doctrine that a belligerent |
them, would mean that in case of war
between our two best customers our trade
with both would be destroyed
Mr.. Lodge said he did not think the Dip
lomatic or consular officer OF any govern
ment had the right to criticise a Senator
or Representative or any officer of the
Government and that the gallant fight
the Beers are making is enough to arouse
the admiration OF any man. Mr.. Petit
grew submitted resolution requesting
the President il not incompatible with
public interests, to inform the Senate
whether the people of Samoa were con-
suited or their wishes ascertained. in re-
iation to the treaty recently made between
the United States and Germany in regard
to the islands; also. whether any protest
has been received BY him or the State De
partment from the people Of Samoa or any
Of them against such treaty. The resolu-
tion went over until today.
A conference was ordered on the Urgent ,
bill and Senators Hale Allison, /
and Teller were appointed conferees.
Mr.. Allison presented an order for the
election of Secretary and Sergeant-at-
Arms of the Senate, which was agreed
to. He then presented in succession reso- J
lutions appointing Charles G. Bennett, of
New York. Secretary of the Senate. and
Daniel NJ. Ransdell, Of Indiana, Sergeant
alarms.
After 1t had been agreed that the new
,fricers were not to take their places until
February 1. the resolutions were adopted.
At i:i5 Mr.. Tillman took the door for his
.peech on the Philippine question.
Mr. Cockrell introduced bill to com
the one bundredth anniversary
II the acquisition OF the Louisiana Terri
tory by an Exposition OF Arts, Commerce.
and Industry at st. Louis.
A short executive session was held. dur
ue which an effort was made to reconsider