The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-01-19
T|LLMAN SEVERELY DENOUNCES
REGENT WHITE HOUSE INCIDENT

Mr.. T1llman said that the SdddeSt and
most pitiful example of anything that
has ever been associated with the
name of a PresideE. was the recent
outrage on Mrs. Minor Morris at the
White House." He said that because
only of the transgression of some rule
the woman sitting quietly in the Office
had been dragged rudely away, her
clothes torn, an earring torn out, and
thrust into carriage and taken away.
At this point Mr.. Hale interrupted
Mr.. Tillman to protest against the
latter's representation concerning the
Morris incident. 81 hope" he said. de-
liberately, "that l may never figure in
this body as a general apologist Of the
administration or any one connected
with it," and continuing said: "But !
say to the Senator from South Caro-
lima that he is making statements and
assuming facts for which there is no
warrant, and that he is making the
most serious and defamatOry charges
against the executive of this country.
the President of all the United States.
having nothing whatever that he ad-
duces as proof.
Il must say to the Senator that
do not deem it seemly that here in the
Senate he should make this the occa-
sion of discharging before us the per
sonal feeling of i'll will he has against
the President of the United States. 1t
is not a spectacle that any of us can
look upon either with satisfaction Or
toleration."
The interruption had not been ex-
pected and it created general interest
throughout the Senate chamber and in
the galleries. The quiet that prevailed
was almost oppressive, and it was none
the less marked when Mr.. Tillman rose
to reply. He said:
"I have such respect for the great
ability, high character and patriotic
services of the Senator from Maine,
and have had such intimate associa-
ton with him during my service here,
which is not half SO long as his own,
that he cannot say anything in the way
of reprimand to cause me to lose my
temper. | want to say to you, SIR ad-
dressing Mr.. Hale directly, that am
not defaming Theodore Roosevelt, and
| have not allowed my personal feel
ings, supposing I have any, to dictate
one utterance of mine today. I want to
say to you, sir, that if you will offer
a resolution appointing committee OF
this body, composed of Republicans
alone, to examine into the facts, l Will
give you the names of four witnesses
as reputable as you or [, who will
swear to the statement | hav0> made
as to what actually occurred.
Mr.. Hale: Let the Senator produce
his testimony
Mr. Tillman: "You present your
committee"
Mr.. Hale: "And his affidavits before
he stands up before the country and as
sails in this rude way the President
of the United States
Mr.. Tillman: "Ah! Will you then
offer your resolution appointing a
committee to get at the facts?"
Mr.. Hale: LET the Senator, himself,
offer it."
Mr.. Tillman: cit is none of my bus
mess 1t is your business
Mr.. Hale: ct is as much the Sena-
tors business as it is mine
Mr.. Tillman: mo, you have just
accused me of personal animosity and
hatred to gratify.''
Mr.. Hale: Il do not credit the ex-
aggerated statements of the neWspa-
per press about this incident. l be-
lieve they are alt eXtravagant, swol-
len and not justified by the facts; but
whenever any Senator upon his re-
SpOnsibility declares that there should
be an investigation and asks for an
investigation so that we may have,
not statements, not yirulence,. not de-
nunciation, but facts, nobody on this
side will object tc that resolution.
Mr.. Tillman: Il will offer it and
put you to the test"
Mr. Tillman then quoted the official
statement concerning the Morris in
cident, and said that in ignoring the
matter the President had practically
endorsed it. He added that he had
been told that another lady had been
treated at the White House very
much as Mrs Norris had been.
Mr. Hale again demonstrated with
Mr.. Tillman for making the Senate
the arena for the display Of his per-
sonal prejudices He declared that it
is not true that the Senate is inclined
to bend the pregnant hinges of the
knee to the President and that the
the Senate is an Independent body.
He added that Senators consult most
freely with him and advise him if
they differ with. him 'None of us
hesitate to tell him if we do not agree
with him." he added. The Senator is
wrong in undertaking to create the
impression that the Senate is sur
rendering its rights l will not sub
NIT to this arraignment."
Mr. Tillman said in reply that he
thought Mr.. Halle should not, in view
of his own disavowal, have repeated
the statement that he had spoken as
be had because of personal feelings
Mr. Hale replied that the President
must be his own judge as to that and
Mr.. Tillman answered that the state
ment was uniustified II say before
Almighty God it is not trEe.'' he ex-
claimed WITH feeling. Mr. Tillman
then read "a typewriter statement