Omaha daily bee., 1902-05-03
SOUTHERN SENATOR'S IN TILT
Republican from North Carolina Says DEM
oCrats Intimidate Voters by Cruelty.
OPPONENT FROM SAME STATE DENIES IT
Pritchard Attempts 20 show that In
human Are Not All Com
fined TO Army OmcIals
in Philippines.

was .prectpitated in the senate today by
Mr.. Pritchard IN. c. by some remarks he
made on political methods in North Caro-
lima in a discussion Of the Philippine bill.
He suggested that some OF the methods EN-
ploYed by the opponents of the bill in this
country ought to be reformed and told Of
what is called the sand cure" in North
Carolina. the victim having his face crushed
into the sand 10 stihe his cries while he
was being beaten to intimidate him politi-
cally.
Mr.. Simmons Of North Carolina declared
that he never heard Of such a practice and
the debate concerning North Carolina poll
tics was fully launched. Mr.. Pritchard
charged that the red shirts rode over
the state. Simmons said nothing was done
but to organize the voters. The debate
waxed warm and Mr.. Pritchard declared
that he had been approached by an ennis
sary OF the democratic party with a propo-
sition to drop the impeachment attacks on
judges in North Carolina II he would nolle
PROSE- cases pending in the courts against
certain democrats for election frauds. Mr..
Simmons Unqualihedly denied that such a
proposition had been made by authority
Of the democratic party.
To Fix worlds Fair Date.
A letter from the secretary Of state was
read suggesting a postponement OF the
opening of the st. Louis exposition from
1903 to 1904. In this connection Mr.. Cock
rell of Missouri offered an amendment 20
the sundry civil appropriation bill pro-
viding that the exposition should be opened
to visitors on May 1, 1904, although the
dedication of the government building
should be held not later than April
80, 1908. The papers and amendment
were referred to the committee on appro-
priations.
The amendment OF Mr.. Plat Of Connect
cut to the Rosebud reservation bill, strik-
ing out the provision OF the bill providing
for free homes on the lands to homestead
settlers, was rejected, 10 to SO.
The Philippine government bill then was
laid before the senate and Mr.. Pritchard
addressed the senate in support of the
measure. He declared that the people Of
North Carolina and of the south were in
favor of tine proposition OF the majority OF
the Philippine committee, and he quoted
the Charlotte Observer as a leading demo-
cratic paper in support Of the opposition
in the Philippines.
Charges Foreign to Measure.
Mr.. Pritchard said he was in favor Of the
prompt and speedy punishment Of those
guilty Of cruelty in the Philippines but
the charges had nothing to do with this
measure, which provided merely for a civil
administration in the Philippines. "If we
retain the Philippine islands, said he. as
we will, the southern states will gain the
bulk OF the trade with the Philippines and
! the southern states will be the chief bene-
hciary of the extension of the cotton goods
trade"
Mr.. Pritchard declares frankly his belief
that the United States ought to retain the
islands permanently. He discussed at con-
siderable length the political situation in
North Carolina and recited what he de-
nounced as 'outrages" that had been per-
perated, he declared, by the democrats of
North Carolina on republican voters. He
said he did not think a majority of the
democrats OF the state approved Of such
outrages and likewise did not think that
the isolated cases OF outrage and torture
in the Philippines should be cited as ar.
Iguments against the republican policy In
the islands.
Simmons Justices the Acts.
Mr.. Simmons replied to some OF the sug-
g~estions made by Mr.. Pritchard as to
North Carolina politics and justified the
white people in protecting themselves
against irresponsible majorities."
Mr.. Pritchard asserted that the sand
cure was used by democrats in North
Carolina on republicans. He said that a
republican voter was taken from his home
at night and beaten, his face being crushed
into the sand to stihe his cries.
Mr.. Simmons declared that this was the
first time he ever, heard Of the sand cure"
For six years he had been the chairman
Of the democratic executive committee OF
North Carolina and he never had known OF
any cases Of outrages and violence for
political purposes.
Mr.. Pritchard inquired II 1t were not a
fact that organized bands OF red shirts
rode over the state of North Carolina for
the purpose of teFrorizing the republican
voters.
In Interest OF Union.
That organization (red shirts)." replied
Mr.. Simmons, never had for its object
any bellicose or belligerent purpose toward
any part Of the voters Of North Carolina.
1t Is merely ar organization for the pur-
pose Of more effectually organizing the
voters OF the state" prolonged laughter
on the floor and in the galleries.)
Does my colleague say" inquired Mr.,