Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-02-02
rnEL,TE sExAroR ooRMAN.

we're unique. Senators Tillman and
Blackburn departed from the beaten
paths of somber words and beautiful plat
itudss to tell the country something OF
the truth as they understood 1t regarding
the political activities of their late col
league
Mr.. Rayner. once the late Senator 5
political enemy, was particularly elo-
quent, and Senator Wm. Pinkney Whyte,
between whom and Mr.. German a politi-
cal feud existed for many years, took oc-
casion to explain that the differences we're
political, not personal.
1t remained for Senator Blackburn, OF
Kentucky, who succeeded Dir German
as chairman of the democratic caucus,
and Nr. Tillman, of south Carolina, to
delve into democratic history and I'M
unfold secrets concerning the wilson
German tariff bill, and, as they explain
ed, "for the sake of the truth OF his
tory" to accuse ex-presldent Cleveland
of the grossest bad faith in his political
dealings with the dead Senator from
Maryland
Mr.. Blackburn said "ahen the Viii
son-Gorman tariff bill came from the
House and was TO supersede the Mckin-
ley measure, Mr.. German Has indeed a
potential factor in this chamber. His
action upon that occasion, his course in
connection with that important measure
have been made the occasion of unfair
censure and unmerited criticism.
THAT bill, while 1t might, and by
many was believed TO, lie decided i'm
provement upon the taxing measure that
it supplanted, failed, as is known OF all
men, to meet the expectation Of the
country, or the reasonable demands made
by Mr.. Gormsn's party. For that fail
ure il was sought to fasten upon the
Maryland Senator degree of respon'
sibiliiy that did not honestly belong to
him, aud here, 10 order TO vindicate the
truth of history, | enter an earnest aud
solemn protest against that injustice sur
wing, as he has gone. Other men OF
his party, higher in decision and in
power than he was then, who sought
to relieve themselves of criticism by
undertaking to fasteu upon him q
burden that did not belong to him,
should answer at the bar Of history
instead of the dead Msrylander.
"The records Of this Congress show
that when sum moned 10 testify as wit
nesses upon this floor his co-lsborers
upon the Senate committee on finance,
most of them now dead. as is the Mary
land Senator Voorhees,, of Indiana,
tho chairman of that committee; Harris,
of Tennessee; Vest, OF Missouri, and
Jones of Arkansas bore willing witness
to the fact that there never WAS a modi-
6cation made Of that measure; there
never was n step taken in revision, in
remodeling; there never WAS an alters'
ton proposed or carried into effect by
the Conference of this side of the cham
Der upon that tax bill that Was not un-
hesitatingly approved and Endorsed,
pleaded for and demanded by those high
er in authority than Mr.. German or my
self, who afterward cav fit to denounce
it aud brand it with the brand Of perlidy.
"He bore the unjust accusation pa
tiently. That splendid serenity and
poise which has been so happily de-
scribed by his colleagues here did not
desert him. In that hour of his triumph
and in the hours Of bis disassers and de-
feat, he was always the same self-con-
tanned, the even poised, undisturbed,
u1shaken man."
Mr. Tillman during his speech said:
"In October, 1892, visited New
York on business and remained in the
city a week or more. / vas at that time
governor Of South Carolina. Naturally |
ielt 4 most keen interest in the result OF
the approaching presidential election,
visited the democratic headquarters
and had opportunity TO talk with some
of The leading men connected with the
conduct Of the democratic campaign.
There was intense interest and feeling in
view of The well known attitude Of Pres
ident Harrison on the force bill.
f1 lived in State where the negroes
were in The majority and where We had
suffered from negro domination. SO |
felt the deepest concern for the success
Of the democratic party, feeling that the
election Of republican President at that
iunctnre who favored the force bill would
be nothing short OF national calamity.
found there vas great activity at bead
quarters, and frantic sppesl' we're being
made for campaign funds to strengthen
the party in several doubtful States, as
we'll az in certain specified locslities In
New York State.
'In the conversations which / had
with the democratic leaders it was clear
~ brought out that the sugar rehners
were ready to contribute to the demo-
cratic campaign fund If it could be un-
derstOod that the industry would be fos-
tered and not destroyed by the demo
cratic tariff policy, and | received the
impression, which became indelibly fix
ed on my mind then and remains fixed
to this day, that President Cleveland
understood the situation and was will
ing to acquiesce in it if we won at the
polls.
81 did not talk with Mr.. Cleveland in
person On this sabjsot, though | called
at his hotel TO pay my respects. and |
am thoroughly satisfied that the charge
Of party perfdy and party dishOnor' in
the famous Wilson letter was an act OF
erossest wrong and cruelty to Senator
German. If Mr.. Cleveland, as ! WAS
told, knew of these negotiations and was
the beneficiary of such a contribution,