The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-01-10

Senator T1llrnan caused q sensation In
Congress yesterday when he announced
that some valuable papers and documents
dealing with the Oregon land affair had
been taken from his desk
The South Carolina Senator did not
say who he believed took the papers, but
he paid bis first compliment to his &C
cusers by saying that he knows some
one person would be mighty glad 20 get
the papers.
Il Will be able to free myself entirely
Of the land deals" said Senator THlman,
confidently 7 could do 50 more readily
with the missing papers at hand. but
viii do so anyway So II viii not hurt
my case any"
Preparing Speech.
Senator Tillmaa was not in the Senate
yesterday morning. He was in his Office,
busily engaged upon the speech he will
deliver on Monday In reply to the Presi-
dents communication 10 Senator Hale,
charging him with seeking 10 acquire
certain lands IN oregon and with misuse
OF the franking privilege.
"As TO the alleged abuse OF the frank
Ing privilege" said Mr.. Tllman. 7
never had any trouble until 3. F. Barnes.
the Presidents assistant secretary. be-
came postmaster OF Washington. I had
attacked him in the Senate for his brutal
treatment OF Mrs. Minor Morris. The
next thing I heard was complaints from
him Of improper use OF the Senatorial
frank
AT one tine he rendered me a bill OF
SIS for postage On g Senate typewriting
machine, an article that Senators had al
WAYS transmitted under Official frank TO
and fzou their homes. wrote TO Mr-
Barnes that ne could sell the typewriter
and pay the postage himself, as it was
government property.
Z endured 8 number OF petty annoy
ances OF this character. and 1t is my
opinion It vas Mr.-Sarnes' way OF levy
ing reprisals for ny calling attention 50
publicly 10 his public mistreatmeEt OF q
woman.
But Il would not be IN good taste for
me to discuss this matter in advance OF
nv speech Not a Senator here but has
sent out letters under frank that might
be open TO better founded attack than
these letters OF mine 10 which the Presi-
dent excepts.
IF there had been no Mrs. Minor Nor
RS incident there would have been no
public complaint against me for alleged
abuse Of the ranking privilege"
Mr. TIIlman intimated that his speech
Monday would be free from abuse. He
said he would Justify himself in calm.
deliberate statement OF facts.
Foraker Yields te TiIIman.
Senator Foraker gave notice that he
would no; call up the Brownsville ques-
ton in the Senate until Tuesday he
postponed his address on Brownsville
from Monday until Tuesday TO give Sen
ator TiHman an opportunity TO be heard
in reply TO the Presidents charges.
There was a full meeting OF the Senate
Committee on Appropriations yesterday
morning and the Secret Service matter
was laid before It by Senator Hale. All
the papers transmitted by the President
10 senator Hale were referred TO a sub
committee. which is TO canvass the mat
ter thoroughly and may decide to call
witnesses.
In these papers from the President are
included the letters involving Senator
.Tnlman. By consent. this particular batch
of papers was lent to Senator Tiliman.
who was at work preparing his speech in
reply
Possibly the feeling Of disturbance
which IS known to have been among the
Appropriations Committee over the publ
cation by the President Of correspondence
sent TO Senator Hale for use Of the com
rlittee before the committee had an op-
portunity to consider il. found some slight
expression in the appointment OF Sena-
tors Gallinger, Hemenway, and Clay as
the subcommittee. Neither Mr.. Gallinger
nor Mr. Hemenway ever betrayed any
distinguished regard for Mr. Roosevelt.
There IS q feeling in the committee that
the President took pains to precipitate
the publication OF the Tillman incident
Irrespective Of the merits Of the case for
or against the South Carolina Senator,
some Of his colleagues feel that actuated
by personal dislike. because Of Sen
ator TiIlman's fluent criticisms Of him.
me PRESIDENT went Jul VI MS way
to introduce the TiIlman correspondence
in his letter to Senator Hale in answer 10
an inquiry on a different subject. and
that having got the correspondence that
far along he nlaneUvered to get it into
the public prints.
News from White House.
It Is being commented upon by Senators
that while Senator Hale was desirous
Of concealing the accusations against
Mr.. TiIlman until the COMMITTEES had an
opportunity to examine them, there was
leak sprung at the White House,
through which information dripped to the
effect that a Southern Senator was in
volved in the documents in Mr.. Hale's
possession.
As much gossip and speculation follow
ed this well-circulsted rumor, the White
House next let out the whole story TO
relieve misapprehensions.
President Roosevelt yesterday caused
TO be distributed for publication photo
graphic copies Of the Tillman CORE
spOndence. which was disclosed in the
Presidents letter to Senator Hale This
correspondence consists Of letters and
kilograms said 20 have passed between
Senator Tiilman and persons in Oregon
regarding a contemplated purchase Of
land By the Senator