The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-26
SENATOR WARREN
PICKS A POCKET
Abstracts a Bottle From TILL
mans Clothes in Debate
and Learns Its Nature.

WASHINGTON D. c., Feb. 25.-The
senate today passed both the agricul-
tural and executive, legislative and jul
dicial appropriation bills. An amend
ment to the agricultural bill, suggested
by Hepburn, of Idaho, caused an ami
mated discussion. 1T contemplated SUI
pervision of interstate commerce so
as to prevent the transfer of plants or
shrubs not properly marked from one
state to another. The amendment
started a debate on paternalism. 1t
was ruled out on a point of order.
On a point of order by Mr.. Nelson
the committee amendment to the legis-
lative bill, providing that no bureau Of
the public service shall be transferred
from one executive department to an
other, was ruled out as general legis-
lation.
While Mr. Bailey and Mr.. Tillman
were both on their feet debating the
agricultural bill Mr.. Warren tiptoed to
Mr.. Tillman's side and distracted a
bottle from the South Carolina SEN
ator's pocket. The bottle contained a
colorless liquid said to be eye medi-
cine. Mr.. Warren removed the cork,
smelled the contents, replaced the cork
and then unnoticed by Mr.. Tillman re-
turned the bottle to the latter's pocket.
The senate and the galleries were con-
Vulsed with laughter. Mr.. Tillman was
still unconscious of the by-play, but not
so with Mr.. Bailey. He was not pleas
ed with the procedure and exclaimed,
sharply:
when this vaudeville performance
ceases will be glad to continue" The
oai he 70 RI nr1pr
Later, when Mr.. Tillman had become
aware of the incident he walked to the
seat of Mr.. Warren and taking the bot
tie from his pocket, offered it in the at
titude of one profferring a drink. The
offer was declined. Later Mr.. Tillman
explained that the bottle contained only
a throat gargle.
IF had known" he said, that the
senator wanted a drink I would have
provided him with something stronger"
Explaining the incident, Mr.. Warren
said that everybody knew that Mr.. Till
man neither tastes nor handles"
Don't go too far" interrupted Mr..
Tillman. Il sometimes take it, but
don't get drunk except at banquets, and
then [ don't get so drunk that I have
to be carted home"
House Still on Naval Bill.
The building programme of the navy,
as contained in the pending naval ap-
preparation bill, was discussed in the
house during the day and the fight is
by no means over. The minority mem
bers of the naval committee, who, I'M
der the leadership of Mr.. Meyer, of
Louisiana, first gave their Endorsement
to the measure. are campaigning for a
reduction in the number of ships to be
authorized. The amendment to strike
out the one battleship made yesterday
by Mr.. Burton, of Ohio, was defeated.
The cruisers then were put to the test
and enough friends for them were
found for their retention. Construc-
ton of the ships in government yards
proved to be fruitful topic for dis
cussion and an amendment by Mr..
Bell, Of California, requiring one collier
to be built in a government yard was
adopted.
A proposition by Mr.. Humphrey
(Was}l.4 for a preferential Of per cent
in favor Of bids from the Pacific coast
was defeated after Mr.. McDermott of
New Jersey, had delivered a humorous
speech in which the shipbuilding trust
and the state of New Jersey were put
forward for the charitable considera-
ton of the house.