New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-12
llILLMAN REPLIES TO
PRESIDENTS CHARGES
ADMITS FACTS, BUT DE-
MES GUILT.
ErpIains His Connection ICitb Ore
gOn Land Deal-SenatOrS Con-
slider Defence Ueak.
rFronn The Trfoun. Rureau.1

ate to the charges contained in the Presidents
communication to Senator Hale He admitted
the facts stated by the President but main
tained that he had not sought TO deceive the
Senate when he declared that he had not under
taken to buy any land in the West. because. to
quote his words, ct did not say had not con-
sdered the purchase Of land: I did not say had
not contemplated the purchase OF land because
1 had done both. Everything hinges on the
meaning OF the word undertaken and my use
of IT."
OF the Presidents reflection the propriety
Of Senator Tillman's introducing a resolution
directing the Attorney General to bring suis
which would. in his own language. make it
easy for others well as myself TO obtain sOuis
of it, referring to the land he sought to buy.
Mr. TfIlman said: Il fail see any
reason in this position. but must subnsit that
10 the Judgment Of the Senate and the country
Mr. TiIIman also said: Il perhaps disn-
genuous," thereby conceding what the President
implies for the word which Mr.. Tillrnan chose
to describe his course. defined by the Century
Dictionary. means Not frank, sincere or can
did; wanting in openness and honesty under
handed which, perhaps. more nearly expresses
the mining of the Executive than any word he
used in his letter TO Mr.. Hale. Finally. Mr.. Till
man appealed to the sympathy OF his auditors.
saying: IF Hartman and others like him
made to disgOrge by reason Of these suits. shall
L
pittance Of the land be used as a basis OF a
charge of being liar and a corrupt Senator
to be dsgraced? Who would not have wanted
10 purchase some OF that land If he was as poor
as / am?"
GREAT CROWD HEARS SPEECH
The scenes preceding Mr.. TiIIman's speech
have perhaps never before been equalIed in the
Capitol The crowds seeking admission TO the
galleries were so large and so insistent that the
Capitol police were scarcely able TO prevent a
panic. Every available inch Of space in the
galleries was filed. and thousands were turned
away. Every Senator was in his seat and the
floor Of the chamber was packed with members
who had come over from the House. When MIR.
Tillman entered he was greeted with hearty ap-
plause from the galleries. When he closed there
was silence, unbroken by single handicap
Never in the memory of the present members os
the Senate has like scene been enacted Al
ways before there have been some partisans
who sought TO show their loyalty by applause.
Senators declared that IT was evident that the
galleries shared their view; that the Senator
from South Carolina had not only greatly dis
appointed his hearers. but that he had failed
10 relieve himself OF the odium Of the Executive
exposure. "a confession and avOidance-and =
very little Of the latter was the Iaconic COM
ment Of several Senators when Mr.. TiIIman
closed Senator Dick was the only Republican
TO shake the hand of the Senator from South
Carolina while his side Of the chamber
only Senators CuIberson Money and Taylor ex-
tended congratulations. Representatives Hefin,
OF alabama: Cochran. OF New York and Lever
Of South Carolina, shook hands with Mr. Till
man.
DEMANDS Ar INVESTIGATION.
Near the close Of his speech Mr. TiIIman an
nounced that he demanded an investigation by
the Senate
1T has been expected and desired he said.
that having made my own defence I should
turn my batteries on my assailant. I do not
feel that my strength is sufficient for the double
task for my physicians have warned me against
overtaxing myself. One OF the truest and best
sentiments in English literature is this from
Tennyson: 'Soiling another will never make
ones self clean.
The President lives in a glass house. with
even a glass floor in il. and should remember
the old adage. He has exerted all the power OF
the government to destroy me. but feel that
1 stand unscathed. because. If all other argI-
ments fail TO convince men. the character for
rectitude, truthfulness and honesty which Z
have buiIded in the sixty-one years OF my ltfe
would at last be my bulwark. Men who have
always been clean and honorable do not sud
denly become liars and hyPocrites at sixty-Ons
without any necessity
Later on in this session it is my purpose to
devote some time to bringing Theodore Roose-
Welt face to face with his true self. and let the
people Of the United States see what character
of man they have bowed down TO. For the
present 1 content myself with applying TO him
this quotation from Sponsors 'Faery Queen:
He ranges throughout the whole world. neither
is there any that can restrain him OF late he
has grown especially presumptuous and pestt-
lent barking at and biting all alike. whether
they be blameworthy innocent None are
free from his attacks He spares neither the
learned wit nor the gentle poet. but rends and
tears without regard Of person. reason or
time
When Mr. TilTnan finished speaking the noise
OF the rapidly emptying galleries so great
that the Senate took recess for ten minutes.
and then after brief executive session. ad-
journed-
The leaders say there will be investigation
bJ the Senate: that the President has exposed
certain facts which Mr. Tillman admits: that
the only questions at issue the Senator's
veracity In his earlier statement 20 the Senate
and the propriety Of his having introduced
and urged resolutions calculated 10 allow him
to purchase land at low prices that the Sem
ate and the public I'm position To draw
their own conclusions and that therefore an in
vestigation would serve good purpose. Ths
opinion is also expressed that Mr.. Tfllman will.
on second thought refrain from his promised
attack on the President.
Despite the opinion OF the Republican leaders
that there is no occasion for an investigation
into Senator TiIlman's course. the Democrats
are determined that there shall be one. and to
that end have appointed Senators Culberson.
Bacon and Clay a committee TO draft and pre-
sent resolution providing for such investiga-
ton The Democrats insist that they will OBJ