The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-05-04
He Is Denied an Inquiry Into a
Charge Made in the House.
Speaker Bannon Rules That Act
Charged, if Committed at all,
was Committed When MIR.
Cochran was not a Member
of the House.
A Het Debate on the Tariff Between Mr..
i:ttlefield on One Side and Mr. viii
liams, of Mississippi, and Mr. Clark,
of Missouri, on the Other.

Washington, April 27.-Speaker
Cannon today ruled that the Cochran
resolution for an investigation of the
Daizell charge, that Cochran had
campaigned for Mckinley for "hire"
ir 1895, was not a privileged matter.
In an elaborate opinion the Speaker
said he was warranted in taking judi
cial knowledge Of the fact that the
offence set forth, as charged against
Mr. Cochran, eff committed at all,
was committed while the gentleman
from New York was neither a men,
ber nor amember-elect of this House. !"
The Chair, - he said, feels. justified
in taking cognizance OF the fact that
what is alleged to be charged consti-
tutes no crime.'' At most, he said,
the only question was one as to the
propriety Of the conduct of a private
citizen. The House, he declared,
could not rightfully punish him if it
desired to do so. He then ruled THAT
the Chair holds that the resolution
may be entertained as Il question of
privilege -
Mr.. Williams, the minority leader,
at once Appealed from the ruling, i'm
mediately following which Mr.. Payne.
the majority leader, moved to lay the
motion on the table, which motion
was car-ied-169 to 125-a strict party
vote.
The House today adopted the con-
ference reports on the general def
cheney, sundry civil. Military Academy
and postoffice appropriation bills,
and late in the day was the scene
of an animated debate on the tariff
question, in which Messrs. Littlefeld,
Of Maine; Williams, Of Mississippi !;
Clark of Missouri, and others took
part. Mr.. Little6eld replied to Mr..
Cockran's recent speeches, declaring
that the New Yorker, in his advocacy
of free trade, had descended to viHifi-
cation and vituperation, and had added
nothing to the sum of human knowl-
edge.
He asked the Democrats if they
stood on the speech of Mr.. Cochran,
sthe pew risen leader of the Demo
cracy." He further inquired of the
Democrats if they approved or dis
approved Of Mr.. Cochran's PROPOSE
tions. TIE Republicans and the
country, he said, we're entitled to
know. He directed a specific ques-
ton to Mr.. Williams if he approved
Of Mr.. Cochran's policy.
Mr.. Williams remained silent.
Mr.. Littlefeld then sought reply
from 11ar CLARK, OF Missouri.
Z Mr.. Clark set the Democrats frantic
by saying that when the House should
give him an hour he would make a
reply .'That will knock some of you
gentlemen silly" No one, he said,
could reply "Yes'' OF "No" to one
hour of cheap demagogy. Screams of
approval came from the Democrats at
this utte-dnce.
"The gentleman from Missouri
wants an hour to indulge in villifica-
tion and vituperstion," retorted Mr..
Llttlefeld.
Mr.. Littlefeld pressed his demand
for categorical answer from any other
man on the Democratic side.
Mr.. Baker, of New York, arose.
A great uproar went up from both
sides of the House. "Will the gentle
man yield?:'' he excitedly asked.
"No," said Mr. Littlefeld. "Foois
rush in where angels dare not enter, -
Mr. LittleGeld was drawn into a
lively colloquy with Mr.. DeArmond,
Of Missouri, much TO the qualification
of the Democrats and the apparent
amusement of the occupants of the
galleries. Mr.. DeArmond said he
would venture to crafty Mr.. Little
field to some extent. He was inter
rupted with cries CT "Yes'' or "No''
from the Republicans. Continuing,
MI. DeArmond said thati if Mr.. Little
field wanted information as to the
Democratic position he would say that
the position of the Democrats was to
take of or lower the duties wherever
those duties sheltered trusts. "Bah
bah ~ came from the Republican side.
Mr. Littiefeld called upon Mr..
DeArmond to say whether be did, or
did not, agree with Mr.. Cochran s
| views.
Democratic applause greeted Mr..
DeArmond when he said the Demo
cratic party would declare for revi-
sion o. the tariff so as to drive from
shelter the trusts that are now robbing
the people.
He then wrought the Democrats up
to high pitch of enthusiasm when
he asked Mr.. Little6eld to answer
Eyes" or "No" as to whether the
Republicans would drive out the
trusts.
Mr.. Li1tlefeld, amid Democratic
jeers and laughter, said be would an
swer when he got ready.
ro,,1v;pn Mr.