The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-02-27
Very truly yours,
GEO. b. CORTELYOU.
Secretary tn the President.

I'm these formal words. Senator Till
man was informed that his presence was
not desired at the dinner which the Presi-
dent gave Monday night to Prince
Henry. The President felt that Sena-
tor who had been adjudged guilty oi
contempt by the Senate could not he eX-
pected to participatein in aformal Junction
Mt the White House.
!n,-.--.N--iss .yPs sent, the Presi-
dent sent for Senator Cockrell, oi 'nS~
souri,. and asked him "a Democratic
colleague of Mr. Tillman. to suggest to
the latter the prOpriety of withdrawing
his acceptance of the dinner invitation.
The President explained his attitude and
said that in viCw Of the contempt pro-
ceedincs, Mr.. Tillman's presence would
he an aifront TO the Senate and dis
courtesy TO Prince Henry. Mr. Cockrell
accepted the commission, but Mr.. Till
man refused to withdraw his acceptance.
The President then Immediately cancelled
the invitation in the note he dispatched
to Mr.. Tillman. simultaneously Senator
Martin, OF Virginia. was invited to take
Mr.. Tillman's place at the dinner rs the
next ranking Democratic member OF the
Senate Naval Affairs Committee lie did
not attend the dinner, however.
The President, said Mr.. Tillman in
an interview has the right to invite any
one he chooses TO dine with him, officially
or otherwise, and also has the right TO
withdraw such invitation. As am not
conscious OF havingl done anything,
personal or official, which gives the
President the right to insult me, | am
surprised at his action.
"The invitation to this dinner came to
me unsought and Unexpectedly and so
far AS the withdrawal il concerned it is a
matter Of absolute Indifference to me. 1t
is the motive behind it which seeks to
put me in the condition of unworthiness
to meet the President and his guest be-
fore final action by the Senate.
The Senate was not sitting as court,
but as a legislative assembly. 1t has the
right to expel me if it sees fit, and 1 am
ready to abide its judgment and action.
1t has the right to arrest me and to hold
me in custody until it makes disposition
of my case, but it has no right tOgag me,
and the President has no right to Judge
me guilty OF conduct unbecoming a gen
tleman unless he bellies all his antecedents,
which lead one to believe that he would
have done just as T-did under the circum-
stances.
"As to which of us is the gentleman in
this matter in view of the unsought in
tatiOn to dinner at the White House and
its indecent withdrawal, | am willing to
abide by the judgement of all brave and
self-respecting men,
sRUTH CAROLINA sCANDALIZed.
Gov. McSweeney expressed disgust at
the fight between Senator'S Tillman and
McLaurin.
He said he hoped the Country would
not hold South Carolina responsible for
the outbreak of her Senator'S. They were
both condemned by the people who elect
ed them," said he. The State has just
reached the crest af wave of industrial
development and a state OF political
quietude, when this reproach is brought
upon her, and while unjust, yet believe
the State will suffer.
"All can do is to deplore the occur
renee. 1t is for the United States Senate
to take action that seems proper under
the circumstances. II that action is rad
ical and the Senator'S are expelled, as the
Senate has the right under it's rules,
will deal with the case firmly and square
ly when it comes to me-"
Gov. McSweeney intimated that II the
Senator's were enthome they would not
be returned to the Senate.