The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-06
fILLNAN REPLIES TO CANNON.
REMARKABLE PERFORMANCE IN
THE SENATE CHAMBER.

surprised ana Amused-Messrb' nsio
- and Allison Reply to Cannons Threat
About Changing the Senate Rules.
WASHINGTON, March 5.-The closing hours
Of the Fifty-seventh Congress we're made
dramatic by Legislative hold-up. organized
and successfully carried out by Senator
BENJAMIN r. Tillman Of South Carolina
During the long hours Of Tuesday night
he sat doggedly in his seat, and declared
that unless provision was made for the
payment OF the claim OF South Carolina
against the United States for money ad-
yanced during the War Of 1912. he would
filibuster the General Deficiency bill and
the Naval Appropriation bill to death. and
thus force the President to call an extra
session Of Congress.
Representative Joseph G. Cannon, Chair
man Of the House Committee on Appropria-
tons, denounced Tillman's action as -legis-
lative blackmail" In one Of the most re-
markable speeches ever delivered In Con-
gress. To-day, when the Senate met in
extraordinary session, Mr.. Tilman put
another hold-up into operation, and for
two hours lambasted Chairman Cannon
for his speech and demonstrated the justice
and equity of the claim Of South Carolina
and the unfairness Of Mr.. Cannon's attitude.
In this speech Mr.. Tllman displayed his
wonderful ability as debater. and also
surprised the Senate with an exhibition OF
his talents as an actor. Mr.. Tillman has
made many speeches since he has been
Senator, but he never gave a performance
like that OF to-day. Senators on both sides
of the Chamber were amazed at the audacity
Of a man who would hold the session for
hours to hear him talk, when 1t was the
desire of the Senate to go into executive
session, according to the prearranged
programme. During all the time that
Tillman talked the message Of President
Roosevelt, telling the Senate why he had
called them in extraordinary session. was
lying on the presiding officers desk.
Before he sat down. the South Carolina
Senator went through a bit OF comedy
acting that would have done credit to Joe
Jefferson. In describing how Chairman
Cannon, Of the House Appropriations
Committee, had on Tuesday night, set
his iron jaws together and retired to his
committee room for a nap, ordering that
he should not be awakened before the
Senate conferees were ready to announce
their objection to the insertion of the claim
OF South Carolina. Mr.. Tillman acted
out the part. He dropped into his chair,
closed his eyes, stretched his legs, and
gave an illustration of the watchdog Of the
treasury asleep that amused and a. tonished
the Senate. He then went on with his
speech, and his very audacity prevented
any Senator from calling him to order
Such a scene was never witnessed in the
Senate before. Senators Allison and Hale,
both of whom admitted the strength Of
sI1...a nba htt hn m
prove Of his antics on the floor, were dis
posed to call him to order, especially for
his violation Of the written and unwritten
rules OF Congress, which prohibit MEN,
Der OF one house from criticising the
actions of another, but when they at
tempted to do so. the irrepressible Senator
promptly silenced all of them by shouting:
-Oh. l am speaking metaphorically,
This Is merely figure OF speech. What |
am describing may never have happened
1t is purely an imaginary picture DC.
Allison and Teller, the oldest Senators
in service. all Of whom are members Of the
Committee on Appropriations and who
represent In their persons the traditions
Of the Senate, united in saying that Tillman
was right and Cannon wrong.
Mr. Tillman arose to a question OF per-
ronal privilege. He called attention to the
speech of Mr. Cannon In the r cord Of
March 8, wherein he criticised Tillman
severely for holding up the General De-
ficiency bill.
1T Is the most remarkable speech / have
ever known in either body of Congress"
began Tillman. He read the Objectionable
portions OF Cannon's speech. Mr.. Cannon's
remark that the conference committee was
'blackmailed" was read by Tillman with
whitening scorn. Two issues were involved
in this matter. said Tillman One Of them
affected the dignity Of the Senate, the other
his own official position and his personal
integrity TO certain extent. He con-
tinued:
Power has made some OF these men drunk.
seiye. that one OF them. the Chairman Of the
Appropriations Committee, and slated for
SPEAKER, has attacked the Senate and threat
ened that IL the Senate does not amend its
rules the House. assisted by the people. will
compel II TO change its rules. 1he Senate
blschmsil. | leave that subject
This Senate will continue to do business
IN the Constitutional way as u has done from
81 the first Senate. II is a continuous body
and II never dies.
Tillman entered into the history OF the
South Carolina war claim. which he said
would furnish indU b. table evidence Of Mr.
CAnnon's error. and declared that the
item was placed In the General Deficiency
bill IS an act OF long delayed justice 10
South Carolina, that's all there il 10 this
cry Of blsckmail.' He continued:
I know OF no other MAJ In the other end
of the Capitol whom ] RESPECT more than
Joseph a. Cannon. His industry. his grasp
Of our fiscal system, his watchfnlness have
made him known all over the country as
the Watchdog ~ the Treasury wat CHI
dog IL badly needed, too, - In my experience
IN public life I have learned that a great
many hands are trying TO get into cnde
SANE pocketbook
have heard that the oonferees had 20
obtain the unanimous consent. ] may sA",
81 few men over these 10 get this hill
Mroush nj all The House tied nssif up,
] understand, 40 that VI any amendment
had been propossd 10 ihe ti.gersl Deficiency
bill u would have failed. ~ lhs House wants
10 tie its hands and legs 80 that 10 cannot walk
az trapsast business IL that amy reason Why
90 must be- threatened aud hsciored aud
sbas>d cod Ssi won ~ that ! have
10 set this item on the n.nsral l,rnsispoy
sad ,haatl.ss ,ash 81 s'ssins Justice from
ifsa ~. I'D N.isi,dss Of tho Tr.A.lry.
Sleepy and tired af'sf Ions lsboi, laid dosn
biz massive laEs on nv bh. aud s4ia rNhsH
loa arc ready Ca eat ihls oai ssks mo up
"a. ss' ,.r. .n5 dli 10, 49, 'I ssi az, !.
tbs sss plstursd u siaIAy shut 40 Isss
aesn M lhs .fols-l,isn that I y oald hs,s
of ~ fSs@i dsl asdsi 80 H. ', ssiss
\ ss sia. 10 fefss u AID ths Issuli see
J so tho nls.hsl iiaashisfl
iililaan sls,ks ~ s,.s'hs' slsin, sblsl,