Evening journal., 1909-01-11
Mr.. TILLMAN
MAKES REPLY
South Carolina Senator De-
fendS Himself Against the
Presidents Charges
DID NOT ATTEMPT
TO DECEIVE ANYONE
BY United Press Leased Special wirO.

BY United Press Leased Special Wire
WASHINGTON. Jan. 1.-THE un-
precedented spectacle Of a Senator Of
the United states defending his honor
before his colleagues. against an attack
by the President, was presented here
to-day.
Arising to a question of personal
privilege. and addressing an audience
that filled every seat on the floor Of
the Senate. and packed the galleries
Senator Benjamin r. Tillman. Of South
Carolina. denied President Roosevelts
charge that he had used his official
position for his private beneht, or that
he had made a false statement to his
fellow members regarding western land
transactions.
The tines Of the pitchforS had been
sharpened anew. and the recent on
slaught of the big stick was returned
with the South Carolina Senator's OLD
time skin.
He accused the President Of personal
malice. Misrepresentation. Justification
cowardice, Uniting below the belt -
contempt Of the Senate, and violation
Of the law in the use OF the secrc.
service.
incidentally. ne gave official utter
ance to the charge he made informally
to a United Press representative on
Saturday. that important papers bear
ing on tile case at issue had been stolen
from his desk in his room at the
capitol. probably by some of the
secret service sleuths." He also ar
raigned the President for permitting
the so-called steel trust To absorb the
Tennessee Coal ana Iron Company ana
for helping his dear friend Harrimah
to hold two million acres Of the public
domain. because Ben Tillman wanted
to buy LAO acres
The Senator demanded the most
searching investigation Of his conduci.
and invited comparison Of his private
life and public work with that of
Theodore Roosevelt. or any other
man"
lie admitted that he was perhaps dis
ingenious" in the statement which hs
made 10 the senate. declaring that he had
not bought or undertaken 10 buy ans
Of the lands in question. Everythlng h'
declared. hinged on the meaning of thl
word 'upndertaken." as he used H. IL
had not paid any money. nor had he takeI
any ones receipt the usual processei
by which one Undertakes" 10 buy land.
II have not attempted to deceive any
body" he declared with emphasis; Il hav'
not told any falsehoods: have no
broken any law: have not been guilty q
any immoral conduct 7 had the righ
10 purchase the land II could"
! Replying to the Presidents charge tha
/ he had made improper use of his ofhcia
! position. Mr.. Tillmsn said II fail 10 SCI
} any sense or reason in this attitude. / ha,
not become a party 10 any litigation;
was not interested, except as private
| individual wanting TO purchase. and as
/ Senator desiring 10 enable others to havi
/ the opportunity 10 do SO. or course tn
President is sure that have done some
thing very discreditable and outrageous
| he hates me. and would destroy me {
/ he could"
For the FIRST time IN his Senatorial ca
reer Mr.. Tinman read his entire speech
Evidently appreciatlng the gravity Of tn
situation. he did not care to trust him
self to extemporaneous address.
There was intense silence as he arose
and throughout the speech. he was givei
/ the closest attention by his colleagues
many OF whom had expressed the hop
/ that he would be able to convince the Sen
ate and the country OF his innocence.
Mr. Tnlman argued that he had a righ
/ 10 buy the land.