The Savannah morning news., 1904-02-04
TILLMAN SAYS
SENATE STEALS
IN LENDING TO BIG FAIRS.
HE ADMITS HE AIDED IN ONE FOR
CHARLESTON.

CarOunlan submitted, was OnIHNV-
full and UncOnstitutiOnnI-Ch
Ienged by SpOOner, He Called Such
Appropriations Steals - German
for Expenditures for Commerce.
allowing the amendment to the Ur-
gent Deficiency Appropriation bill, pro-
viding for a loan of $4,600.000 to the
st. Louis exposition, to go through
without any discussion, whatever, the
Senate to-day changed it's tactics just
as the vote was about to be taken
and entered upon a debate on the loan
provision, which continued for about
four hours, and which was still in
progress, when the Senate adjourned
for the day.
The debate was precipitated by
point of order made against the amend
ment by Mr.. Bailey, who supported his
point with a speech based on the theory
that the national government was not,
as such. concerned with the success
or failure of any exposition. He was
supported by Mr.. Lodge and MIR.
support of the amendment by Messrs.
Hale. Allison. Cockrell, Spooner, Nc
Comas and others.
MIR. Tillman said he wanted to say
something on this loan or gift" the
latter he thought, as it was not like
ly that the government would ever get
anything back. In the course of his
| remarks. he said South Carolina had
share of the steal that had been
secured by other cities, and he had
helped to get it. What he meant was
that this expenditure of money was
| unlawful and unconstitutional.
''Yes, Steals" Said TiIlman.
Mr.. Spooner remarked that the SEN
ator from South Carolina had put
himself on record as participating in
steal
What I mean" declared Mr.. Till
man, lis that when Congress takes
money from the people and gives it
| away for expositions it amounts to a
steal. What 1 want to know, is how
far we are to go and how much longer
we are to participate in"
Here Mr.. Tiliman hesitated.
"Steals?" interjected Mr.. Spooner.
Eyes, steals" said Mr.. Tillman de-
family.
Mr.. Bacon said that as he intended
| to vote for the amendment he did not
want the impression to go out that it
was in the wrong. He thought the APP
| preparation a proper one. In reply to
a question from Mr.. Bailey, he said
that, abstractly, he did not indorse
the principle, and that if the practice
| of giving aid to expositions was now
being initiated he would oppose the
practice But, in view of what had
been done in the past, he considered
| 1t not out of place to make the appro-
priation.
Mr.. Elkins suggested that better Sc
curity should be given than the
amendment requires, and made an
argument for what he called business
methods. He called attention to the
fact that there is an imminent posi-
bility of a deficit of $4O,OO0OOO in the
| treasury.
Where is the money coming from?
Are we going to take it from the
| rivers and harbors?" he asked.
Expects 1t to BE Refunded.
Mr.. Cockrell said there could be lit
tie doubt that the money would be re-
funded, as the provision gives a lien
on the entire proceeds. II want it dis
tinctly understood" he said, that this
is not a gift, but a loan, which 1 be-
lieve will be returned"
having asked where the practice of
giving aid to such institutions would
stop, and, replying, said, like the
brook, it would "go on forever"
He also referred to the fact that not
withstanding Mr.. Tillman's impat thence
with the amendments, he intended voting
for it because of the aid that the
Charleston exposition had received of
Congress.
Mr.. Tillman made AM explanation
of the assistance given to Charleston.
He also referred, with evident Feeling,
to Mr.. Bailey's reference to his own
attitude, saying that the latter had
characterized the appropriation as a
"steal."
Mr.. Bailey disclaimed any intention
to speak of the appropriation so harsh
ly II don't go SO far" he said. II
consider 1t a misappropriation."
Mr.. Lodge called attention to the
plea for economy on account of the
condition of the treasury. Some sena-
tors might say we need more battle
ships, but he did not agree, for they
are necessary to maintain peace on
this hemisphere and to support the
Monroe doctrine. When, therefore, we
are asked to economic in that direc-
ton and to give sums like this, there
is a curious contradiction.
War FIOurishes at Peace's Expense.
Mr.. German replied. Can it be-"
he asked, that the conduct OF the
financial affairs of the country has
been of such a character that we are
to be estopped from giving the neces-
sary aid to an exposition to which all
the world is looking forward as the
greatest event since 1876? Can ii be
that such a condition as this exists
without measures being taken to rem
edy it by the party in power?" He
said that all the great ports of the
country needed better harbors and ask
ed if the commercial interests were to
be hampered, and checked by the
stand pat policy, and because Of
the lavish expenditures made on ac-
count of war.
He was delighted that the Senator
from Massachusetts and Mr.. Hemen-
way, of the House of Representatives,
had brought to light that the present
revenue laws We're a failure. and 1t
was well for the country to know
that the refusal TO amend, and change
them was due to the fear caused by
the approaching campaign. Mr.. Cor
man dwelt upon the prospect of not
securing a river and harbor bill, and
said that money for the improvement
of the rivers and harbors was even
more important than the payment of
thesalaries OF Congress.
1--WE have now" he said, more ships
than can be manned, and navy i've