The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-22
To Probe Facts Only and Not
Presidents Authority
TILLMAN FLAYS SPOONER
Pictures Senate as a Minstrel Show,
Then Apologies, But He Retracts
Nothing of Scorching Reply to
Spooner's Criticism.

spooner's Criticism.
Washington, January 2l.-Few features
of the spectacular were missing from the
proceedings of the Senate today. The
| Brownsville affair was the subject of
controversy and the day began with the
announcement of compromise reson-
ton which brought republican and dem
oeratie senators together on the basis of
ordering an investigation Of the facts of
the affray without bringing into question
the authority of the President to dismiss
the negro troops. The resolution was
submitted to and approved by the Presi-
dence at a conference yesterday
When the unharmony harmony les
timonials were all In Senator Tillman
took the floor and delivered a speech in
reply to the recent criticism of himself
by Senator Spooner This speech began
with satirical picture Of the Senate
as minstrel show, which Mr.. Tilman
later said was his first and last attempt
! to be "unfunny." an attempt which at Its
conclusion brought singing denunca-
ton from Senator Carmaek in resentment
of illusions to him.
This was preceded by serious reply
from Senator Spooner ON the attitude
taken by Mr.. TilIman on the race prob
lem. All finally resulting in a session
of nearly two hours behind closed doors.
The secret session was followed by a
brief open one in which Mr.. Tilman
made profuse apology to Mr. carmach,
his First essay in the line Of humor."
and finally to the entire Senate.
Il very much regret that | ever under
took to be funny, and | will never do SO
any more"
Retracts Funny Essay.
Mr. Tillman then withdrew all he had
said III his "funny essay and said it
would not appear In the record. This
apology was at once accepted by MI.
Carmaek, who regretted he had nues-
toned the motives of his friend and no
too withdrew the words he had uttered
in protest. Mr. Foraker made Il final
attempt to get a vote on his resolution,
| but objection was made and the matter
Will be taken up tomorrow Immediately
after the morning business has been dis
posed of. Mr. Carmaek remarked, joCll-
larly, that there were not more than fif-
| teen or twenty senator's desiring to talk,
ana MI. folhhefi 1elBnlnS SERIOUSNESS,
retorted hotly that the senator need not
think the democratic side of the cham
Der could monopolize the talking. Mr..
| Carmaek explained that he was only try
ing to be funny, that 1t was his first at
| tempt and he could never make an
other. AS senators were laughing hearth
~ over this parting sally, adjournment
was taken at 6:15 o'clock. During the
entire day the galleries of the Senate
were crowded to their capacity and the
debate was also listened to by seemingly
| a majority of the members Of the House
of Representatives, who occupied all
available seats and standing room in the
chamber.
Galleries Packed.
In anticipation of "A field day in the
Senate on Brownsville. the galleries were
packed a half hour before the opening Of
the session. Senator rilman took the
floor at the conclusion of the morning
business, to reply to the recent critlsm
of himself by Senator Spooner.
As prelude to this he paid his compile
ments to senators who had spoken on the
Brownsville incident. He said the press
had denominated him the burnt corkS
artist of the Senate" and he added II he
were entitled to this appellation. or that
of "Pitchforl Ben" at one end OF the
minstrel line certainly Fire Alarm Joa,'
Senator Foraker ought not to be ignored
at the other. We both do the Orlando
and Furioso act admirably he said
Senator Culberson was designated as
performing n solo on the "bones" in
praise of the President; Senator Daniel
was called the brilliant and courtly SEN
ator from Virginia" whose speciality Is
oratory and who works his rhetoric over
| time.
Next" said Mr.. Tnman. I'VE have
the Dying Swan. Smiling Tom of Colorado.
the state recently bought at auction by
one Guggenheim, and the swan song is a
dirge for the dying democracy of the
north stabbed In it's vitals by Bens
| pitchfork. is act is very pathetic. indeed.
and always brings tears into the eyes
OF the audience.
Telephone Artist.
| Next we have the redoubted Tennes-
! seean, who was once a knight, very
Hotspur In the lists, whose spear has run
! strong and clear on the visor of the
| usurper at the White House, and who
! has made the sparks fly in many an on
set, but his spearhead is broken off; he
| has been unhorsed, but retiring from the
| lists he selzes a garland of flowers and
placing 1t ON his headless weapon now
! alas, no longer of any use), he lays it
| at the feet of the victorious Roosevelt,
| as peace offering and joins the minstres
to sing a last song to the victor OF
! Brownsville, who whistles democrats TO
come in the White House and lick the
hand which has so often smote them. His
| speciality is song renominate our idea
| or give us back our PLATFORM
| Next, the negro preacher and tele-
phone artist in the show, who on occa-
sions gets in communication with the
| White House over the wire and acting
! as a receiver and repeater veritable
| Chameleon in his accuracy in reproducing
! White House colors, we have senator
| halling from Massachusetts, the home OF
| the sacred god where the Adams vote
| for Douglas and Lodge walks with the
| Almighty" said Mr.. Tillman.
| "As the middleman, we have the pomp-
| adour artist from Georgia, whose special
| ty Is TO never answer any questions, and
| who depends on his voice to carry con-
| viction to his audience.
| Then comes the of the troupe.
| Gumshoe Bill' from Old Missouri He
can dance the Highland fling on top of a
| ten-rail fence and never touch the ground,
bur his greatest feat is walking on eggs
| without breaking the shells.
Last we have the artist from the
| Badger state. an acrobat and juggler or
international reputation. He is supple,
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