New-York tribune., 1902-05-08
THE DEMOCRATS FLED.
TILL.uAN'S OUTBREAK A HARD
BLOW TO THEM.
LIKELY TO HASTEN CLOSE OF DEBATE
AND PASSAGE OF THE PHIL
IPPINE BILL.
IPPINE BILL
LBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l


Washington. May 7.-Senator Tillman's re-
markable performance to-day eclipsed even the
record OF this eminent exponent of Democracy
for vituperation and abuse without argument
save the old and threadbare contention of the
Southern Democrats that secession right
and their failed simply for the lack of
numbers TO support It, Why Mr. Tillman in
dulged at this juncture his natural bent for
asininity is a question which, perhaps. not even
he can answer. Apropos of nothing in particu-
lar. the South Carolinian took the floor away
from Senator Burton. OF Kansas, at o'clock
this afternoon and for hour poured out the
Walls of his wrath on everything Republican. To
say that the whole Senate was stunned is put
ting il mildly, and to say that the Democratic
side of the chamber shocked by his unex-
pected outhurst is only a fair statement of an
obvious fact. Only was Mr.. Tillman in
terrupted. and that was by Mr.. Clapp. of Mime
sofa, with unimportant question Nearly
every Republican Senator in the city was in his
seat. and listened i'm almost breathess amaze
ment to Mr.. Tillman's astounding revelations of
the Democratic view Of the Philippine question
When the Democratic Senators learned the full
import of his astonishing deverance, they hur
ried out of the chamber and congregated in their
cloakrOom, where they remained until he had
finished and then. to emphasize their dsap-
prova Of his too frank avowals Of their party
policy this time. they rushed back to their
seats he had concluded.
Mr.. Tillman got the floor by courtesy of Mr..
Burton of Kansas. who had been recognized by
the Chair to speak in advocacy of the Lodge
bill establishing civil government in the Philip
pine islands. The South Carolinian told the
Kansan that he desired only "a little time" in
which TO reply to some statements that had
just been made by Senator McComas Of Mary
land. touching the ever fruitful theme of South
ern election methods With the understanding
that Mr.. Tillman was to occupy only a few
minutes. Mr.. Burton yielded. The South Caro-
linan was comparatively mild and subdued at
first. But as he proceeded he warmed up 10 his
subject until toward the close Of his remarks
he was actually in a frenzy of Democratic rage
and enthusiasm. Indeed, II Is declared by the
most experienced Senators and the Oldest Senate
habitues that certainly not in this generation
was his performance as A whole equalled. and
perhaps never in the history Of the United
States Congress did a member of either house
ever display the same furious heat and wild
passion as that which characterized Mr.. Till
mans speech.
EARLY VOTE on LODGE BILL LIKELY.
His conduct was such that it Is not improbable
that the Senate may now be able 10 agree upon
a vote on the Lodge bill at a much earlier date
than seemed likely before Mr.. TIllman kicked
the Democratic Fat into the fire. and spoiled the
prospect OF as pretty a parliamentary struggle
as has been witnessed in Washington for many
years At the present moment the Republican
leaders do not believe II will be necessary 10
present many more elaborate arguments In sup
port Of the Lodge bill 10 afford the country
comprehensive understanding of that measure.
ana many Democrats who were prlmed for
speeches express the fear that nothing they
could say would receive the serious or re-
spectful attention OF the country incidentally
or accidentally. therefore. it is possible that
Mr. TilInan's terrible outbreak viii be of beue
ht alike to the nation and 10 the Philippines, IN
that It opens the way for an early close OF de-
bate that is increasing in bitterness and threat
ening indefinitely to delay action on other I'M
portant subjects Of legislation and encourage the
misguided Filipino insurrectionists to dety the
authority OF the United States
With unusual skill, whatever may be said in
denunCiation Of their purpose, the Democratic
members Of the Committee on the Philippines
had prepared 10 resist the passage OF the Lodge
bill at this session, and were even hopeful OF re-
ceiving the silent aid Of element of Repub-
lican Senators in carrying out their programme
of obstruction. the alleged basis of the under
standing being that If the Lodge bill should he
held up for another month or more Congress
would be likely 10 adjourn before action could
be taken at this session either the isthmian
canal or Cuban reciprocity propositions But
after the events OF to-day no Republican can
afford 10 rest under the imputatton however
unjust the suspicion might be. Of encouraging
actively or passively the Democratic scheme
to humiliate the administration and do grave
injustice TO the Philippines and to Cuba. Hence
II Is expected that there will longer be any
ground upon which 10 base speCuat tions OF
actual or alleged combinations between the
Democrats and element of Republicans for
the defeat OF isthmian canal legislation and
Cuban reciprocity by prolonging indefinitely
the present debate the Philippines In fact
IL is generally thought that the Lodge bill
will be brought 10 an early vote and passed
without much further ado. Then the Cuban bill
can be taken up and pushed through. and thus
Congress can adjourn by the middle of June. if
not sooner.
4 4 Nrn1IINr