Omaha daily bee., 1909-01-11
Probability This Will Rob it Of Som
Of His Wonted vigor.
COMPLAINT ON PRESIDENTS ACT
Latter Gives His Reasons for Giving
Out Tillman Matter.
EFFORTS TO SUPPRESS THE FACTS
senator Hale Said 20 Have Called at
White House in Effort 60 Induce
President TO Withdraw
the Papers.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 1O.-No subject has
been discussed recently at the capital with
such fervor as President Roosevelts dis
closure OF Senator Tillman's alleged con-
nection with an oregon land deal, but the
colleagues of the South Carolinian are in
clined TO withhold judgment until he has
had an opportunity to explain. II Is likely
that when the doors Of the senate open to-
morrow there will be a crowd awaiting ad
mittance sufficient to fiji the galleries many
times. Tho fact that the senator will read
his explanation probably will rob II of some
OF the sharp and homely epigrams usual TO
his speeches, and the effort may therefore
be somewhat of disappointment to i.is
audience.
Many expressions of dissatisfaction are
hgsrd because of the manner in which the
president made public the material gathered
by postoffice inspectors about Senator Till
man. 1t Is pointed out by senator's that the
matter sent to Senator Hale was not in re-
sponse TO the latters request to the heads
OF the executive departments for the opera
tions of heads of the departments, in view
OF the fact Senator Tillmsn's alleged ef-
fort to obtain Oregon lands was wholly un-
der tho Postoffice department and was
prosecuted by the inspectors of that de-
partment.
One senate leader was heard TO express
the opinion that as the president had had
I'm his possession for several months the in
formation gathered about Senator Tillman
It was his duty TO nstigate a prosecution
II he believed the facts warranted action.
Hale Suggests withdrawal.
II was rumored today that the president
has told a friend that an effort was made
by Senators Hale and Aldrich to suppress
hp oIo
edly this impression was gained at the
White House by visit to the president by
Mr. Halo. who suggested that the matter
relating to Mr.. Tllman should be with
drawn. II is said that the Maine senator
did not base the request upon the ground
that II was not properly n reply to the
demand for information about the secret
service, but because of the fact that Senator
TIlluan is in poor health and the charge
was liable to rouse him to a pitch of ex-
oit"unent dangerous to his life.
President Roosevelt declined to withdraw
the reference to Mr.. Tilmau and wher
Senator Hale would not make It public ht
decided to do so himself There is no aues
tion that the condition OF Senator Tillman'.
health is serious. When he went TO Europ,
last March no was in highly nervous
state. The trip resulted in a marked i'm
provement. but for some time his friends
have noticed that his nervousness has beei
returning. Some OF the senators who hsv,
examined the evidence say II the fact
are as represented the offense was one o
impropriety and indlscretion. but that NJ
criminallty is involved. It was said tina
Mr.. Tillman might have introduced hi
resolution to cali upon the Department o
Justice to begin proceedings to compel tn
beginning of sale of Oregon lands at s. al
acre, and at the same time apply for som
OF the land without making himself tn
target for severe criticism
Feature Most DepIored.
The feature of the disclosure most de
plored by Senator Tilman's colleagues
the appearance of an effort to hide tn
fact that he was an applicant for min
quarter sections under the terms of tn
original grant. In his statement last Fet
ruary the senator said he had not bough
any western land nor had he undertaken
to buy any.
The evidence submitted by the presider
shows that Senator Tillman had made az
plcaton for nine quarter sections. Defend
ing himself against the appearance of hay
ing made a misleading statement Senate
Tillman told his friends today that h
should have said on the floor that he ha
not contracted" to buy any land. and ths
the whole case against him had been bui
upon the interpretation placed upon III