The Washington herald., 1907-01-22
TILLMAN'S "HUMOR"
Anglers SENATORS.

uieil on what ne believed TO De q general
disposition Of the Senate to lapse into
vaudeville. He intimated that it was
getting to be a greater show than is Of
fered at local variety theater which he
named. He intimated that Mr. Tinman's
offense was only a. mere incident in the
general trend toward light entertainment.
Mr.. Tillman did not rush into the de
bate or Youchsafe any information at
the outset. Mr. Teller admonlshed all
Senators against the disposition to be
Waggish and personal and transgress the
rules Mr.. Mallory adVerted TO the rule
proposed by the late Senator Hoar, of
Massachusetts, and adopted rs the sequel
10 the Tillman-McLaurin encounter IN
The Senate. This rule fOrbids any Sena-
lOr 10 speak disparagingly IL debate OF
any other Senator, or 10 question his mo-
yves, or to speak disrespectfully Of
sovereign State
Mr. Carter essayed his favorite role by
moving cautiously about among Senators
urging harmony and pouring oil upon the
troubled waters. Mr. Carmack, who had
shown so much resentment in the open
session to the minstrel picture drawn by
the Senator from South Carolina, remain
cd quiet while explanations, criticisms,
mind the closed doors
Mr.. Spooner took occasion to explain his
speech that had provoked Mr. Tillman's
remarks, and before he had concluded
mutual explanations had been exchanged
between the two. and they shook hands
and buried the past
Inc era Of good feeling having been
restored by this incident, Mr.. Foraker
Ventured 10 say that he took nc. onense
az what Mr.. Tillmdn had said Of himself.
and that he rather enjoyed the novelty
OF be!ng the alternative end man for Mr..
Humans minstrel show
Wanted IL in Record.
This served TO put everybody into a
little better humor, and the climax Of
good feeling came when Mr.. Stone, whom
Senator THlman had characterized as
Gum Shoe Bill" explained that he had
been so comfortable in his new min
strel garment that he was loath 70
discourage IL. He made a marked effort
at protesting against eliminating Mr. TIL
mans minstrel idea from the Record.
This caused a laugh, which was prompt
~ squelched when Mr.. Daniel took the
moor 10 explain IA all seriousness what
ne thought of Mr. Tilimaus words de-
seIlplng his speeches as lOng-wiuded. and
/ the suggestion made by the South Caro-
lire Senator that Mr.. Daniel took himself
TOO seriously. The Virginia Senator was
not resentfUl but rather tolerant. and
admitted that he thought Senator TIL
man had intended no personal offeuse
MT Culbersou, another OF Mr.. Tlllman's
minstrel Senator'S. explained that he
might have something 20 say later
Mr. Warren venJured the suggestion
that II made little difference how Senators
ie.t and that the task before the Senate
was 90 devise a way out of the situa-
uon There We're suggestions that the
matter ought 20 be eXpunged from the
Official reports. and one OF two Senators
lutimated that Mr.. Tillman himself could
facilitate matters by Offering t. withdraw
his minstrel show description from tie
columns Of the Congressional Record.
For the first time the Senator from
South Carolina rose. He said me meant
no offense, that IL was his first attempt
al humoT. and that If what he had said
had offended any Senators he was quite
willing TO withdraw IL. But he insisted
that b. would not withdraw the language
while The Senate was in closed session.
lie explained that he was on the point
Of an explanation IN the open session fol-
lowing Mr.. Carmack's attack on him,
when Senator Teller. of Colorado. refused
TO grant him the necessary time 20 ex-
plain. You may vote 20 eXpunge my
remarks from the Record. or 90 censure
me. or even 20 expel me-" said Mr.. TIL
man, as an ultimarUm. but I VIII not
withdraw behind closed doors what I said
in the open Senate I must be- given the
opportunity TO make my explanations or
apologies as publicly as I made my
speech"
With this understanding. the Senate
voted TO go into open session.
When the open session was resumed
the members looked weary and worn
Mr.. Tjllman's face was red. and If he was
not angry his appearance was misleading
There was a diversion for a moment
when Senator CUlberson introduced a bill,
and there was a short discussion as to
the committee 20 which Il should be re-
ferred.
Then Mr.. Tilman rose and started TO
say that if he had been given an oppor-
tunity 10 explain before the executive
session, Il would not have been neces-
sary. Mr.. Teller, who sat across the aisle
on the Republican side, interjected the
remark that Mr. Tiliman had not made
HIS purpose clear.
You did not give me a chance" said
Mr. Tillman, with great vehemence. THE
Senator from Colorado refused to yield
He said No, no no."
TiIIman Explains HumOr.
The South Carolnian then spoke of the
friendship between him and Senator Car
mack, to whom ne paid several compIi-
ments Realizing he said. that the Sena-
tor from Tennessee had taken seriously
what he CMr. THlman) had read earlier IN
the day. he realized that his colleague
had a right TO be angry.
'Inasmuch as my first effort in the line
Of wit and hUmOr has had such an effect,
and inasmuch as others besides the Sen
ator from Tennessee regarded what I
read as offensive" said Mr. Tillman, Il
am sorry I ever tried 70 be funny Hav-
ing made such failure as the end man
Of the minstrel show, will never, never
do it again"
The Senator from South Carolina went
on to say that he had had no intention of
wounding anybody and declared he would
eliminate his minstrel show references
from mis- speech as it would apear in
the Record. He referred to it as this
essay Of mine"
Mr.. Tillman expressed regret that he
had not been permitted TO explain before
the Senate went into executive session.
He was always ready 20 acknowledge the
doing Of an unintentional injustice to any
man He desired 10 apologize 90 any
Senator who felt aggrieved, he said. and,
since the affair had taken such a turn, he
also wished 20 apologize to the Senate, if
such action seemed necessary
Il am a brusque, bluff. plain-speaking
man. Mr.. Tillman concluded, in effect,
and I have little association with polite
society. I am sorry if I have wounded
anybody's feelings. 1 did not intend 10