The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-01-21
TILLRIaN'S S ATTACK On THE TRUSTS.
Dlsappoints Republicans By His
Temperance.
Special to The State.

| Washington, Jan. 14.-To the de-
light of his party and contrary to the
expectations Of the Republicans, who
were hoping and expecting sensational
utterances, Senator Tillman IN the
senate today arraigned with scathing
sarcasm and considerable force the
attitude Of the Republicans on the coal
question. He scarcely more than be-
gan his speech and will continue it
tomorrow. The senator began by say
ing it would be his endeaVor to put the
blame for 8 the existing pitiable, mis-
cradle, horrible condition at the door
where 1t properly belongs-the presi-
dent of the United States and the
attorney general.
Referring to the Vest resolution for
the removal of the duty on coal the
senator continued: shall discuss
the situation not from the standpoint
of q free trader ora Democrat. will
.endeayor to put aside partisansh1p. Il
the suffering caused by the failure OF
the people 60 get one of the necessities
of life would pass over the homes and
novels Of the Demoerats-if the
blizzard with its icy teeth would bite
only the Democrats could under
stand the coldbloodedness of many IN
holding that the Dingely tariff should
not be touched.
The situation is one unparalleled
in the history of the country. While
the mortality is very small, the con-
sequences 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 q ton paid
By foreign coal coming into our coun-
try is of little consequence except to.
those portions. Of our country near
Canada. We are exporters of coal;
in normal conditions there could
absolutely be no benefit from this re-
solution
Senator Tllman said that Senator
=Aldrich, since the Vest resolution re-.
garding the removal Of the coal duty,
came up, had become more strenuous
and had exhibited more feeling and
earnestness than he thought him ca
gable of. The energy Of the venerable
and brilliant senator from Missouri,
Senator TiIlman 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 month. His only wonder. he
said, was that in these trying times of
death and distress mobs are not taking
steps TO show monoIolists that in the
last resort men viii neither starve nor
freeze to death, but viii throttle the
law if necessary and take into their
own hands and seize supplies.
He then criticised those who claim
that there was not now sufficient
authority to remedy the evils which
exist and said that We may load down
our statute books with laws but IN
less the sworn officers Of the law shall
discharge their duties fearlessly and
honestly every effort to protect the
people will fail because of their Gere-
LECTION.
Efforts have been made, said Sen
ator Tillman, proof has been fled,
pleadings have been had, petitions to
the attorney general fled, warning
and begging him to protect the people
against the impending danger. but
he has sat quietly in his Office and done
nothing Rich and poor alike, he
declared, are freezing because Of the
fact that monopoly does exist, be-
cause the lawyers have failed to inter-
pret the law in the interest OF the peo-
pie.
He criticised the coal strike commits
sioners and said they were taking ir-
relevant and unnecessary testimony,
when if they wanted to they could find
out about the combination and report
to congress that such a monopoly exists.
He criticised a decision of Judge Taft
involving case under the interstate
commerce law and said it was the same
Judge who would not leave the oner-
Gus aud odious'' duties to which he
was nov engaged in the Philippines
for a seat on the supreme bench.
Tomorrow the senator will show the
real cause for the present situation
is the trusts which have been fostered
by Republican administrations until
they are all powerful. 8