The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-04-24

way Ildtc Dill Speech.
Washington, April 19.-The senate
priating' a million dollars to be
phOphiating a million dollars to be
used in affording relief to the San
Francisco sufferers; appropriated 3d.
900 to pay the expenses of bringing
home the bodies Of the Kearsarge vic
Tins; listened to an explanation by
Mr.. Bailey concerning the proceedings
of yesterdays democratic senatorial
caucus; heard the first half of an ex-
haustive speech by Mr.. LaFollette Oh
the railroad rate bill, and witnessed
a decidedly spirited encounter between
Mr.. Tillman and Mr.. Hopkins concern
ing the recent Chicago bank failure.
Mr.. Tillman read newspaper charges
to the effect that the illinois senator
had used his official position to prevent
punishment for the violators of the
banking laws and Mr.. Hopkins re-
sponded by charging the South
~bI olA4o oC1IotO1 Will approving IQc
1ynching of negroes and with securing
his election to the senate by suppress
ing the negro vote. He also declared
that Mr.. Tillman had changed the Of
fetal report of his last speech on the
bank question S o as to make it appear
that he CMr. Hopkins) had evaded a
question and to that Mr.. Tfllman res
pended that he had done nothing OF
the kind. The colloquy at last be-
came so bitter that it was necessary
to call the senator's to order.
The climax came when Mr.. Hopkins
said:
1T is time that the country should
know who this modern refOrmer is,
who is he and where did he come
from?'
Replying he said that Mr.. Tillman is
from South Carolina, with a white
population of 557 900, and a black pop
ulation of $4,000. This being the
case Mr.. Tillman had been able, he
said. to get to the senate only by sup
pressing the cOlored vote-securing a
majority by manipulation, which re-
suits in depriving a majority of the
people of the rights guaranteed to
them by the constitution. He would
ask the senator if he would deny that
in a speech made in 1900, he had said
that he had done all that he could to
keep the negroes from voting.
Why should | deny it?' responded
Mr.. Tillman promptly, when l put it
in the record?. 1 do not deny it and I
am ready to repeat it,"
Mr.. Hopkins then charged his antag-
onist with favoring the lynching of ne
Groes, quoting speeches as made by the
South Carolina senator a year ago, in
which reference was made to the burn
ing alive of negroes. Think of a SEN
ator who can endorse such ~barbarities
and atrocities talking about the vio-
lation of the law. How is a matter
Of a little money to be compared with
he taking of a human life?'
Replying Mr.. Tillman said that he
had never been in a court of law ex-
cept as a spectator, but in that capac-
ity he had noticed that when the law
yers had poor cases they INDUCED in
all manner of abuse of their oppon-
ents. rs he,' he asked, referring to
Mr.. Hopkins, =" the vice president Of
the bonding company?'
Let us have it-yes or no." went on
the South Carolinian. NO response.
] take the refusal to answer as a con-
f~ession, as proof positive that he is ex-
erting his official position to promote
the violation of the law"
At the tops Of their voices the two
senators engaged in wrangl:ng, one
talking on banks, the other on negroes, |
until Mr.. Aldrich finally called for the
regulao order on the ground that moth
ing was before the senate and Mr.. La |
Toilette was waiting to speak. |
The dispute vas renewed and it be- |
came even more heated. Mr.. Tillman |
denied that he had said negroes had |
heen cowed by lynching to prevent
them from going to the polls. but de- |
clared that it was necessary in South |
Carolina, where the negroes have Il |
majority of the population, to destroy |
the brute who outrages a white woman |
In order for the white nan to gain |
protection for their wives and
dauehters." |
At the request Of Mr.. Gallinger the |
rules of debate were read, and the |
the vice president said that they would |
batants could reply Mr.. LaFollette be-
gan his speech on the rate bill. He
attacked the overcapitalization of the
railroads and contended for the broad
cast construction of the right of con-
gress to Iegislate for the control of the
roads. /
He said that the pending bill was de-
in many respects; took a posi-
ton in support Of the Bailey non-sus- :