The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1909-10-07
Peabody and Stevens, who sat In the

same tier OF seats, In the middle or the
chamber. only an aisle separating
them. Through this choice of seats
they could confer without leaving their
places. Various senatorial associates
OF these two men I'm other deals found
4, difficult 10 believe their ears-but
was rot old Langdon at this moment
narrating the amazing transaction on
the floor of the senate? Would the
statue on the pedestal step down? ?
! Would the sphinx of the desert speak
the story of the lost centuries? Would
honor take the place of eXpediency IN
the affairs of state? What might not
happen. thought the senate machine,
now that Peabody and Stevens had
| taken TO their boSoms what they
termed the purple pup of political
purity?
Neither did the full portent Of the
situation escape the attention Of the
reporters gallery. Dick Cullen OBJ
served to Hansel Of the Record:
Virtues getting so thick around
mere II Il lutLdSe W iiiN iSo'ion'
Blocking the traffic, eh!" queried
Hansel, and both laughed.
Hello! What's this| exclaimed Gull
! len a few minutes later. Horton has
been recognized. when the program
was to adjourn when the naval base
bill was over with" -
Langdon's speech had proved the n.
the sensation of the session. After he
concluded, amid resounding applause,
In which senators joined, as well as
occupants Of the galleries, Senator
Horton of Montana rose and caught
the presiding officers eye.
II ask unanimous consent to offer a
resolution"
Hearing no objection he continued IN
q manner that instantly attracted un-
usual attention:
ut is my unpleasant duty"-Peabody
and Stevens exchanged glances-"to
place q matter before this body that to
me, as a member Of this honorable
body, is not only distasteful but deep
ly to be regretted.
There has arisen gpound to suspect
a member Of this body Of having ep-
deavored to make money at the gov.
ernment's expense out Of land which
he is alleged to have desired his own
committee to choose as the navsl base.
II therefore offer this resolution pro
viding foc the appointment Of an In
! vestigating committee to look into these
charges"
Langdon was intensely excited over
this new development. Some one
has learned something about Peabody
or Stevens" he muttered. He feared
that this new complication might in
some way affect the fate Of the nave
base-that the south. and Mississippi.
might lose it. He rose sloNtI in lis
seat, while the senate humned with
the murmur Of suppressed voices.
IL ask for more definite informa-
tion," he began when recognized and
after the president Of the senate had
pounded with the gavel to restore
QUIET. $50 that this house can consider
this important matter more intelligent
ly."
Senator Horton rose. He said:
IL will take the liberty Of adding
that the senator accuGed is none other
than the junior ser itor from Missis-
sippi."
Langdon's eyes yblazed. He strode
swiftly into the aisle.
"Mr. President" he cried passion
ately, II know this is not the time or
place for a discussion like this. but
ask that senatorial courtesy permit me
! to ask"-then he concluded strongly
before he could be stopped-"what Is
the evidence in support Of this pre-
posterous charge"
This is all out Of order" said the
presiding officer after a pause, but
in view Of the circumstances ] will
entertain a motion to suspend the
rules"
This molten passing, Horton replied
to Langdon.
Your name Is signed to contract
with ]. D. Teller, mayor of Gulf City,
Miss, calling for 5000 shares In the
Gulf City Land company, and
"A lie, q liew screamed Langdon.
THAT Official" went on Horton cool
ly, "is now in Washinc on. He has
the contract and will swear to con-
versations with you and your secre-
tary. His testimony will be corrobo-
rated by no less parsonage than Con-
gresham Norton Of your own district,
who says you asked him to conduct
part of the negotiations"
"And l might add" cried Horton
that il is known to more than one
member of this honorable body that
YOU had dra wn up a minority report In
favor of Gulf City because Of your
anger at the defeat Of your plan to
take the naval base away from Alta
coola."
Lanedon sank into his chair, be-
wildered. even stunned. There was
conspiracy against him, but how could
he prove it? The ground seemed crum'