The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-02-01
EXCITING DAY In
j. S SENATE.
TiIlman and Spooner
Lock Horns.
TELLER srIRs UP SEVERAL SENATOR'S

Mr.. SpoOner, discussing the Philippine
tariff bil. which was before the Senate
had not proceeded far before he was en-
tangled with Senator Tillman. The lat
ter asked Mr.. Spooner to say explicitly
whether the Philippines were part ol
the United States
SARCASM AT TILLMAN's EXPENSE.
81 recommend replied Mr.. Spooner,
'1dur ..he Senator read the decisions ol
the Supreme Court
al have read some of these decisions, >"
retorted Mr.. Tillman, hut with four
Judges on one side and four on the other,
and the fifth wabbling, ] could not make
much out of them.
Whatever may be said of their decis-
IONS commented Mr. SpOoner in most
sarcastic manner, IL do not think that
the Justices of the Supreme Court will be
very sensitive as to the Senator's crit
icism."
Mr.. Tillman took the laugh at his ex-
pense in good-natured fashion, butit was
quite evident that he was only waiting
for another opening MIR. Spooner offered
him the opportunity in lew minutes by
referring to the independence which
would be given to Cuba.
"When ?" asked MIR. Teller. signifl-
cantly.
"As soon as possible" was the reply.
They have already adopted their con
stitution."
Under coercion said Tillman, with
something like sneer.
This remark irritated Spooner, who
defended the Platt amendment by saying
that If it had not been adopted an extra
session would have been necessary.
but il the Platt amendment had been
defeated by debate" inquired Tillman'
would your side have had the courage
to go forward in it's philanthropy, hu-
manity and liberty, and all that kind
of thing, and to have called an extra
session."
Spooner turned around and faced Till
man. "We have courage enough on
this side, he retorted, to do anything
on earth"
Except to defend the negro, sarcas-
ticallv remarked Tillman.
WHAT CAUSED THE EXPLOSION.
Spooner came back at the South Caro-
lima man like flash. I'VE have not
courage enough he shouted, to lynch
colored men and deprive them OF their
rights"
This was a thrust which Senator Till
man neither desired nor sought toevade
He fired up in an instant. docs the Sen
ator want to discuss the race question
here?" he exclaimed He seems to
have left the proposition which he start
ed on to throw a personal fling at me.
am ready to meet him here or in
Wisconsin, or anywhere else, on the race
question"
Senator Spooner seemed to realize that
he had raised a storm. but he answered
quietly. Wherever the Senator is ready
to meet me on that question or any
other" be said, he will find me there.
The Senator addressed to me an obserya-
tion rather offensive and taunting in its
character"
"It certainly had no allusion to lynch
ing" replied Mr. Tillmau.
no" admitted Mr.. Spooner.
"And the Senator understands very
well, continued Mr. Tillman, waving his
arms] excitedly in the cir. THAT come
from a section OF the country where
lynchings for given crime and for a good
many other crimes are very prevalent.
Now. does the Senator wish to leave the
Philippine proposition, in which he is
dealing with a colored people in a most
Infamous and damnable and hypocritical
way, and go South and hold them up as
examples that we are dealing with in a
similar way? q mean the colored people