The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1909-01-11
Admits the Accusation That
He Tried to Get Hold of
Large Acreage of Land.
BUT DOES NO WRONG
Abuses President for Expos
ing Him and Charges
Malice and Revenge.

WASHINGTON. d. c., Jan. IL
Long before the public doors 1of the
capitol opened today, the corridors
leading to the Senate chamber were
throhged with people of both sexes,
anxious TO hear Senator Tlllman re-
ply to the Presidents charges against
him in connection with the Oregon
land grant. The limited seating
capacity was insufficient to accom-
unodate all. The Senate floor was al
SO wen occupied.
Much interest was manifested In
tnlllman's reply, as 1t was generally
understood he would attempt to JUS
tity his course and the disposition Of
the audience was to await his ex-
planatlou before passing final iudg
ment.
Declaring the President had been
aetpated by the motive OF malice and
revenge In attacking his course in
connection with the Coos Bay Ore
gan land grant Senator Ben Tillman
today made reply to the accusations
Of the cilef executive.
The speech was read from manu-.
script and contained Characteristic
mixture OF argument and invective
There was no demonstration during
the deiiverance of the speech or at
its close.
Senator 1Illman said in part.
I'm my public work here. have
not hesltated to criticlse ana COM
ment on the Official actions and ut-I
teFapces of President Roosevelt and
have .doabtless given him soodl5
Scanse to seek revenge. have, at
various times, artaigned him in the
Senate for tyrannical invasion Of The
rights OF Congress. for usurpation of
authority not given him by the Con-
stitution, for dfsobedience OF the law
and the neglect of duty. ] was not
aware that these darts OF mine had
quivered in the executive hide and
stung him SO. but the eagerness and
Intensity with which he has pre-
sented his case against me. indicate
that Theodore Roosevelt enjoys to
the limit the feeling OF getting even
with Ben TIllman and lays on the
Big Stick with the keenest relish,
Doubtless believing that tho Pitch
fork has gone out of business.
AN examination Of the Presidents $
letter to Mr.. Hale" said Mr.. TIL
man. will show that the Presidents
charges boiled down amount to two
in number.
First, he promotes me 10 mem
sbership in the Ananias Club. and
charges in effect that have delhi
erately lied to the Senate.
Second. he charges that 1 have
exerted my official influence and wor!;
as Senator for my personal benefit
alone to secure the passage o! a rcso-
luton and to press the Department
of Justice to bring suit against the
corporation which holds so much Of
the public domain in the West. and
will not sell It to settlers under the
terms OF their grants from the gov
ernment.
Quoting from the Presidents mes
sage to the House on January 4 in
which he said he had no charges of
corruption against Congress no.
against any member OF the present
House, Mr.. Tillman said:
1T follows that he found no
grounds for indicting me in the
courts. which no doubt would have
rejoiced him over much aud all this
fuss. fury and fustian about the SER
iousness OF the case and the gravlt.'
Of tho ofTense with which he charges
me can he attributed to personal
malice alone"
Referring to the Presidents let
ter to Senator Hale, Mr.. Tillman de-
clared that the President recognized
the extraordinary character Of ais
action as well as the unlawful use
he has made OF ne Secret Service. :
Mr.. TdlIman said he did not deny tht
authenticity OF the letter or the tele
gram OF which Photographs wer;
made and he presumed The Letter
from william E. Lee was also COZ.
rect copy. but he was not aware o
its existence until ]; was brought t,
his attention by the Presidents
statement.
1T viii be noted that ] accused
DoFF In the Senate Of being ,
sWindler ana asked the Postofhe
nAl.aI-1-.... Is N. :. -frand nrlIa