The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-01-12
MAKES LAME REPLY
TOROOSEVELTS ACCUSATIONS
RECARDINGOR OREGONLA DEAL
South Caronas Senator Reads Lengthy Manuscript Which Proves
to Be Choice Mixture of Argument and nvecive Charges
Executive With Motives of Malice and Revenge

| Washington, jan 11.--Greeted by ap-
plause from the gallery when he en-
| tered the senate chamber today to re-
ply to President Roosevelt's charge in
respect to his connection with Oregon
| timber land transactions, Senator Till
man of South Carolina read his pre-
pared remarks with little attempt at
oratorical effect. He was accorded
| careful attention by senators on both
sides of the chamber, the public and
private galleries being taxed to their
capacity. In addition to his speech,
, which had been printed in advance,
Mr.. Tillman had prepared other brief
remarks, which he read.
at has been expected and DESIRED"
he said, that. having made my own
defense, I should direct 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 Eng
lish 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 it,
and should remember the old adage.
He has exerted all the power of the
government to destroy me, but 1 feel
that 1 stand unscathed because, If all
other arguments fail to convince men,
the character for rectitude, truthful
ness and honesty which have builded
in 81 years of my life would at least
be my bulwark. Men who have al
ways been clean and honorable do
not suddenly become liars and hypo-
critics at 81 without any necessity.
Later on this session 1t is my pur-
pose to devote some time to bringing
Theodore Roosevelt face to face with
his true self and let the people of the
United States see what character of
man they have been so bowed down
to. For the present 1 content myself
with applying to him this quotation
from Spencer's Fairy Queen:
He ranges throughout the world,
neither is there any that can restrain
him. OF late he has grown especially
presumptuous and pestilent, barking
at and biting all alike, whether they
be blameworthy or innocent. None are
free from his attacks. He spares
neither the learned wit nor the gentle
poet, but rends and tears without re-
gard of person, reason or time"
When Mr.. Tillman concluded his
remarks there was no applause, the
vice president having admonished the
occupants of the galleries against
making the demonstrations. MIR. Till
man was congratulated by number
OF democratic senators.
Not long after he had concluded his
speech, Senator Tillman received a
cablegram from a Londcn newspaper
asking him to express in SO words his
opinion of President Roosevelt, and
said If he did so the tolls would be
paid at the other end. The senator
declined to comply with the request.
Senator Tillman today replied to
charges made against him by the
president of having exerted his Off
cial influence as q senator for his own |
benefit to bring suit against railroads |
of the northwest in order that he
might be able to purchase land held |
by the Southern oregon company and |
granted to the state of Oregon in 1868 |
for the construction OF a military road |
Seeks Revenge.
"In my public work here" said Sen
ator Tillman, IT have not hesitated to |
criticize and comment on the official |
actions and utterances OF President |
Roosevelt, and have doubtless given |
him good cause for revenge. have
at various times arraigned him in the |
senate for tyrannical invasion of the |
rights of congress. for usurpation of |
authority not given to him by the |
constitution, for disobedience of the |
law and the neglect OF duty, and, par
ticularly in the case of Mrs. Morris, !