The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1903-01-21

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Washington, D c., January IA
TO the delight of ell his party and
contrary to the expectations of the
Republicans, who we're hoping and
expecting sensational utterances, Sen
ator Tillman in the senate today ar
raigoed with scsthing sarcasm and
considerable force the attitude of the
Republicans on the coal question.
He scarcely more than began
bis speech and will continue it
tomorrow. The Senator began by
saying it would be his endeavor TO
put the blame for 1.-The existing pit
able, miserable, horrible condition at
the door where it properly belongs
: the President of the United States
and the Attorney General"
Referring to the Vest resolution for
the removal of duty on coal, the Sen
ator continued: Il shall discuss the
situation not from the standpoint of
free trader or 9 Democrat. I will
endeavor to put aside partianship.
III the suffering caused by the failure
Of the people to get one of the neces-
saries of life would pass over the
homes and bowels of the Democrats
If the blizzard with its icy teeth
would bite only the Democrats-I
could understand the cold blooded-
ness of many in holding that the
Dingley tariff should not be touched
sThe situstion is unparalleled in
the history of the country. While
the mortality is very small, the conse-
quences in planting the seeds of con-
sumption and pneumonia should
force US to begin reform for the relief
Of the people. The tariff on coal cuts
very little figure. The 81 cents ton
paid by foreign coal coming into our
country is Of little consequence ex-
cept to those portions Of our country
near Canada. We are exporters of
coal; in normal conditions there could
absolutely be no benefit from this res
o!ution."
Senator TilIman said that Sena-
tor Aldrich, since the Vest resolution
regarding the removaliof the coal duty
came up, had become more strenuous
and had exhibited more feeling and
earnestness than he thought capable
of. The energy of the venerable and
brilliant Senator from Missouri, Sen
asor Tillmsn said, had put spur to
the tagging horses in the House of
Representatives and those in the Sen
ate who have been cold bloodedly
contemplating the condition of affairs
for months. His only wonder, he
said, was that in these trying times
of death and distress mobs are tax
ing steps to show monopolists tbatin
the last resort men will neither starve
nor freeze to death, but will throttle
the law if necessary and take into
their own hands and seize supplies.
he then criticized those who claim
that there wes not now sufficient
authority to remedy the evils which
exists and said that we may load
down our statute books with laws,
but unless the sworn officers of the
law shall discharge their duties fear
lessly and honestly every effort to
protect the people will fail because
of their dereliction.
efforts have been made" said
Senator Tillman, "proof has been
fled, pleadings have been had, peti-
tions to the Attorney General fled,
warning and begging him to protect
the people against the impending
danger, but he has sat quietly in his
cGce and done nothing" Rich and
poor alike, be declared, are freezing
because of the fact that monopoly
does exist, because the lawyers have
failed to interpret the law in the in
terest of the people.
He criticized the coal strike COM
missioners and said they were taking
irrelevant and unnecessary testimony,