The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-26
BOTTLE WASN'T
FUNNY TO BAILEY
A Bit of Vaudeville En-
Iiyens the Senate.
TWO BILLS PASSED
These are the Agricultural and the
Legislative Appropriation Meas
ures. kitchin Prophesies
an Early Vacancy in
White House.
CBy the Associated Press.)

Washington, Feb. 25.-The Senate to-
day passed both the Agricultural and the
legislative, Executive and Judicial APP
preparation bills. An amendment to the
Agricultural bill, suggested by Mr.. Hep
burn, of Idaho, caused an animated dis
cussion. 1t contemplated supervision of
Interstate Commerce so as to prevent
the transfer of plants or seeds fraudu-
lently marked from one State to another
The amendment started a debate on pater-
nalism. 1t was ruled out on a point of
order.
The amendment was supported by Messrs
Hepburn and Clark (Wyo.), and opposed
by Messrs. Tillman, Lodge, Hale, Teller,
Proctor and Bailey. During the course
of his remarks Mr.. Tillman said:
I'VE depend too much on the discretion
OF the present secretary. Some day we'll
get n fool in that office, as we have had
IN the past and the reurt will be bad"
Mr.. Bailey in the course of his remarks
said there had been great criticism of Mr..
Cleveland during his administration be-
cause the total appropriations had reach
ed SPAS, 000,0 00. The people were now pay
ing 60,G0O,0o0 without uttering much COM
plant.
Mr.. Bailey also referred to the rural
free delivery system, saying that $4,000
600 is now being expended to carry mail
10 the people who would prefer to go after
=.
Mr.. Tillman observed that both parties
ere equally chargeable with responsibility
for the rural free delivery system, and >
he said, Il want to take equal credit for
it. He added his conviction that the
system is a great Improvement over the
old Afp Doll u
cider it blessing he was BADLY off.
II will have ito have further proof
said Mr.. Bailey.
While Mr Bailey and Mr.. Tillman were
both on their feet, Mr.. Warren tiptoed
to Mr. Tillman's side and distracted bot
tie fro mthe South Carolina Senator's
pocket. The bottle contained colorless
liduid. said to be eye medicine. Mr..
Warren removed the cork. smeled the
contents, replaced the cork and then un-
noticed by Mr.. Tillman returned the bot
tie to the latter's poke. The Senate and
the galleries were convulsed with laugh
ter. Mr.. Tillman was still unconscious
of the by-play, but not so with Mr..
Bailey. He was not pleased with the pro-
cedure and exclaimed sharply:
when this vaudeville performance has
ceased 1 would be glad to continue"
The chair raped the Senate to order.
Later when Mr.. Tiliman had been told
OF the incident he walked to the seat of
Mr.. Warren, and taking the bottle from
his pocket. offered it in the attitude of
one proffering drink. The offer was
declined.
Mr.. 7illman then explained that it con-
tained only throat gargle. "I," said
he. Il had known that the Senator wanted
drink would have provided him with
something stronger"
Mr.. Warren said that everybody knew
that Mr.. Tillman neither "tastes or
handles"
Don't go too far interrupted Mr.
Tillman II sometimes taste it, but /
don't get drunk except at banquets, and
then l don't get so drunk that l have
to be cartad howe
The Senate adjourned until tomorrow.