The Montana plaindealer. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1906-1911, 1907-02-15
TILLMAN'S ADDRESS
HE ATTACKS ROOSEVELT ON
NEGRO TROOPS TROUBLE.
Holds Him Responsible for Creating
Condition of Race Hatred-senator
Patterson, of Colorado, in Reply,
Attack Senator From South Caro-.
lina-Senate Crowded to the Doors.

The senate chamber rang with de-
nunciation Saturday. Senator Till
man of South Carolina assailed Presi-
lent Roosevelt for his discharge of
negro troops from the army and held
MIN responsible for creating a condi-
ton of race hatred that would in the
near future result in a throat cut
ting"
Senator Patterson Of Colorado, who
retlres from public life on March 4.
astounded the senate by a denuncia-
ton of the South C%arolinian. He
charged him with advocating lawless-
ness and championing a policy that,
II persisted in, would soon make the
representation in the north solidlv re-
publican and the southern states solid.
ly democratic. The South Carolinian
repeatedly hurled defiance at the head
OF the Colorado man, but the effect, if
any, was to make Senator Paterson
more emphatic in his declarations.
lie narrowly escaped, however, hav-
ing his words repudiated from the
Vice-president's desk. Under the Gus
tom Of the senate this would have
been equivalent to questioning his
veracity. This incident, which for a
time threatened a serious and startl-
ing complication, was brought about
through Senator Pattersons use of
the name of Governor Vardaman of
Mississippi in emphasizing the hostile
attitude of southern leaders toward
the negroes. Senator Money insisted
that the governor had been misrepre-
scented and although the Colorado SEN
atOr declared that he had not meant
to reflect upon the governor the Mis-
issippi senator c%ontended for their ac-
"uracy of his position by calling for
she reading of the notes Of the official
stenographer.
1t was a dramatic incident. Almost
every seat in the chamber was occu-
pied. For two hours and a half the
bitter criticism of Senator Tillman
had been listened to with the deep
est interest. The tension was high.
\ moment of realization followed the
conclusion of the South Carolinan's
speech was listened by the caustic
criticism of the ~pugnacious senator
from Colorado. When Senator Moneys
demand IA put by the vice-president
the senators looked grave. Senator
Patterson's face flushed deeply. Turn
ing to Senator Money he explained
that if he had made any reflection up
on the governor of Mississippi it had
been entirely without intent, as he
was we'll acquainted with his position
in dealing with lawlessness and had
no criticism to make of it.
II am perfectly satisfied with the
explanation of the senator and I will
not embarass him further" exclaimed
Senator Money. II withdraw my re-
quest for the reading OF the steno-
graper's notes." This ended the in
cident, but not the discussion.
The galleries never enjoyed them
selves any more. Although the sub
ject under discussion was the For
aker resolution providing for an in
v~estigation of the presidents personal
power to discharge the negro troops
and Notwithstanding the belief that
the fate of one or more political as
pirants hung in the balance, unusual
good humor prevailed. The specta-
tors were impartial. They laughed
heartily over the telling hits, and
there were many of them.