Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-09-20
DEFEAT OF THE FORCE BILL.

DEFEAT OF THE FORCE BILL.
Credit Given to the Late Mrs. Stew
art.
The announcement Of the killing Of
Mrs. Stewart, wife Of United States
Senator Stewart, Of Nevada, in an au-
tomobile accident in California, recalls
an episode in \secret political history
in which she played an important part.
Mrs. Stewart was the eldest daughter
Of the famous Governor Foote, of Mis-
sissippi, sometime senator from that
state and California as well, the only
man, II memory serves me correctly,
who has ever sat in the United States
senate from two states. Foote was
noted character in his day, master
politician, possessing many Of the ele-
ments Of statesman, q most courage
GUS man, a very fire-eater. indeed, at
time when fire-eating was a danger
GUS pastime. and this daughter inherit
ed many Of his better qualities.
Incidentally, 1t may be noted, that
Foote was twice married and was the
father of twenty-one children.
AS stated, Mrs. Stewart was his eld-
est daughter, and though early remov-
ed from the scenes Of her birth and
childhood, always retained a warm af-
fection for the south and the southern
people. This affection she demonstrat-
ed in most substantial way, as this
little sketch will show.
It was during the summer Of 1890,
during the first session Of the ever no.
torious congress known to this day as
Reeds congress-" for 1t was the first
term of the "Czars" rule as speaker
Of the house, more properly master, for
the Republican members moved, or
were moved, us one moves on chess
board.
The whole country was In furore
Of excitement over the iniquitous Lodge
bill. commonly known as the "force
BILL" and even in Washington little
else was talked about. In the hotels,
in every cafe, in the committee rooms
and corridors Of the Capitol, it was the
topic of conversation, and men offered
or took wagers on it's probable passage
or defeat. 1t had just passed the house
by close party vote, one courageous
Republican voting against It.
It was during the heat Of this ex-
citement. when every eye was on the
senate. that a party Of ladies, one af-
ternoon. entered the house, and took
seats In the members gallery. Among
the party was Mrs. Stewart, and pres
entity she was Joined by certain DEM
ocratic member from one of the south
ern states. who occupied leading po-
sition on his side Of the house. He
was an old friend Of Mrs. Stewart and
merely came up to pay his respects.
However, the conversation naturally
drifted to the absorbing topic Of the
day. and this Democratic congressman.
knowing Mrs. Stewards warm affection
for the south and the southern people,
conceived the idea of enlisting her SYM
pathies against the force BILL" being
also we'll aware Of the lady's almost
boundless influence with her husband,
the senator from Nevada, who held her
intellect and political acumen in the
highest respect.
He explained to her how, II this bill
became a law, elections in the south
would become the merest farce; that
liberty would be gone; that the people
would be ut the mercy Of the Federal
bayonets, and that riot bloodshed, per-
haps revolution. would inevitably fol-
low. He told her Of the horror which
filled the hearts Of the southern people,
her own people: how mothers and
wives, sisters and sweethearts trembled
with fear lest this iniquitous bill should
become a law. knowing only too we'll
the peril 1t meant for father, son, hus-
band and lover whose hot blood would
never tolerate a military invasion Of
their liberties: and he implored her to
interest her husband and urge him to
break away from party bonds and ar
ray himself on the side Of justice, lib
erty and right.
She listened, was convinced, and
promised to give all the aid she could.
History tells how nobly she redeemed
her word, though 1t Is silent as re-
CARDS the part she took in the drama
played out in the senate.
The man who gained that promise
was Benton McMillin, now governor Of
Tennessee.
Senator Stewart listened to his wife,
adopted her views, and arrayed himself
against the bill. Some other fair-mind-
ed Republican senators were won over,
and the bill was beaten in the senate.
There have been numerous stories
told of deals engineered by German
and Quay, but this is the true story Of
how the Republican forces were un-
dermined and the Lodge bill forever
buried. The woman whose love Of her
people and the land Of her birth saved
them this bitter humiliation and out
rage Is dead. and every southern man
and woman will join In saying. Peace
to her ashes."-Atlanta Daily News.
Still IN THE BIJSINESS.-LOrd Ka-