The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-13
TILT BETWEEN HOPKINS
AND TELLER IN SENATE
Colorado Man Pretends to Have
Been Insulted by the Illinois
Statesman.
POSTAL BILL PASSED

WASHINGTON, April PA sharp col
1oquy occurred in the Senate to-day be-
tween Senators Teller and Hopkins grow
ing out of the reading by Mr. Teller of a
letter written by the late General II. ii.
Thomas, of Chicago, attacking the civil
service administration of the Treasury De-
partment Mr.. Hopkins took exception to
the quoting of the letter and declared that
the Colorado senator would be willing TO
accept authority from the slums." where
upon Mr.. Teller declined to yield further,
declaring Mr. Hopkins's reference to the
slums to be insulting.
Mr.. Hopkins entered the chamber while
Mr.. Teller was reading the letter. At it's
conclusion he interrupted the Colorado sem
ator with an inquiry as to the purport of
his remarks. and when Mr. Teller replied
Mr.. Hopkins remarked: 1.-THE senator
should know something about the truthful
ness of his charges before quoting them
here" and adding that he knew the charges
against the secretary of the treasury to be
false. He also referred to his own connec-
tion with the change in the appraisers
Office, to which Mr.. Teller replied that he
had known General Thomas and considered
him man as worthy or credence the
Illinois senator.
To this Mr. Hopkins replied: Judging
from the senator's statement here. 1 should
judge that he would be as willing to take
a statement from the slums from any
other place and good that of anyone
else. Possibly there is something in the
Colorado senator's record and i'm his asso-
citation with the departments that he is
not proud of. but II the senator's record
there Is as clean as mine he has nothing to
fear.
Replying. Mr.. Teller said that he consid-
cred Mr.. Hopkinss reference to himself In
connection with the slums a gratuitous
insult, and added that after such an ex-
hibitfon of bad manners on the part of the
Illinois senator he would decline to yield
further to him or have anything further tC
do with him. His talk about the slums is
unworthy of him, and I am sure tina,
General Thomass character is quite a
good as that of the Illinois senator" He
added that he had made no reference &c
Mr.. Hopkins. but said that. on the contrary
when reading the newspaper article which
he had quoted he had purposely omitted al
personal reference to Mr.. Hopkins.
Mr.. Hopkins said he had no intention Of
making any attack on the Colorado senator
he was. however. entirely familiar with the
Thomas letter. and knew that its Writine
had been dictated by spite. he knew ais,
that the course OF the secretary, as well a:
MS own course In the matter. had beef
open and in the interest of public service.
Mr.. Cullom said General Thomas had beef
a personal friend and that he had stood b,
General Thomas up To the time of his re
moval- He SAID General Thomas sin
cere In believing himself a good appraiser
but said Mr.. Cullom. II think the secre
.2-y of the treasury probably was justified
IN removing him.
The postoffice appropriation bill wa
passed. all the amendments being vote
down. The conference report on the Indial
appropriation bill was agreed to.
The Dill providing form of government
for the Panama canal zone taken up
but debate on it had not begun when tn
Senate adjourned.