Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-01-12

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SENATOR BENZ. r. TIILNIAN. Z
In deliberate tones he proceeded to ex-
cuse himself for the unusual procedure
OF reading his speech on the ground
that he was replying to the president In
an unusual attack upon senator.
The metallic and piercing voice Of the
South Carolina senator was kept within
control as he proceeded. The galleries
INDUCED in no outbreak. although there
was occasional suppressed laughter when
Mr.. Tinman declared that the president
had placed him in the Ananias club.
Given Close Attention
On the part of the senators present, Mr..
TiIlman was given the closest attention.
After he began speaking almost every
senator's seat was occupied and the
rear Of the chamber was filled with mem
bers OF the house of representatives.
A peal of laughter was called forth
when Mr.. Tillman declared that he had
not known that the executives hide"
had been so greatly stung by the darts
he had sent at him at various times when
he had criticised him in the senate.
When he suggested that doubtless the
president believed that the pitchfork
had gone out OF business" another roar
Of laughter was called forth and the
vice president admonished the galleries
that applause of any kind was not per-
mitted.
Refers TO Hartman
Mr.. Tillman kept closely to his manu-
script as he proceeded. except when he
referred to Mr.. Hartman as ''the presi-
dents dear friend" who held 1000, 900
acres OF the land in question, he looked
over his eye glasses and glancing around
the chamber. added:
Possibly the relations are not so In
innate now, but speak Of what the re-
lations used to be-"
Referring to his efforts to purchase
some of the Oregon timber land. Mr..
Tillman again departed from his printed
speech by adding: who would not have
wanted to purchase some of that land
II he was as poor as I am7'
He went on to describe the timber land
as containing the finest red cedar in the
world.
TiIIman Congratulated
Laying down his manuscript after hav-
ing consumed just s. minutes in reading
II. Mr.. Tillman was congratulated by
many OF his friends on the floor while the
vice president proceeded to lay before
the senate routine business. There was no
APPLAUSE I'm the galleries, but the buzz OF
conversation In the large audience was
such as to drown the voice Of the reading
clerk and the sound of the gavel failing
10 bring order, Mr.. Kean, Of New Jer-
sey moved a ten minute recess. The mo-
ton prevailed and after many Of the spec
tators had retired, the senate again pro-
ceeded with it's routine.
Arraigns Roosevelt
In my public work here" said sena-
tor Tillman, II have not hesitated to
criticise and comment on the official ac-
tons and utterances OF President Roose-
welt. and I have doubtless given him
good cause TO seek revenge.
II have, at various times, arraigned
him in the senate for tyrannical invasion
of the rights of congress for usurpation
OF authority not given him by the con-
stitution, for disobedience OF the law and
the neglect Of duty, and particularly in
the case OF Mrs. Morris, for brutal and
| cruel conduct toward helpless woman.
II 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 presented his
case against me, his making a precedent
when none has existed before, his taxi
ing from the committee to which he has
forwarded the papers and giving them
to the press before that committee had
Il
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 the
'pitchfork' has gone out of business"
Indicted by President"
In addressing the senate today Mr..
Tillman arose to a question of personal
! privilege, declaring that for the first
time in the history Of this government,
so far as he had been able to learn,
member OF the senate had been brought
to the bar OF public opinion before the
senate itself, to be judged under indict-
ment by no less a person that the presi-
dent Of the United States. The manner
OF doing it, he said, and the animus and
zeal displayed by the chief executive
were worthy OF consideration.
Mr.. Tillman called attention to the pub
| LEGATION of these charges by the president
/ before they had been considered by the
| committee OF the senate to which they
were referred, and declared that in so
doing the president rad treated the SEN
ate with that contempt which has been
| his won't" He declared that the presi-
dent was an adept at advertising and
had urged the press with more skill than
any man I'm American politics.
| Revenge on House
Another probable reason for his
I great haste" said the South Carolina
| senator, was that he sought to dis
\ tract attention from the action Of the
house of representatives on Friday in
laying part of his message on the table.
by the sensational accusation against a
man who has had long service in the
/ senate.
IAN examination Of the presidents let
/ ter TO Mr.. Hale. which might just as
well have been a special message OF the
type with which we are so familiar
/ said Mr.. Tillman, will show that the
presidents charges. boiled down. amount
/ TO two I'm number:
First. he promotes me to member
ship in the Ananias club, and charges
/ in effect that ! have deliberately lied
to the senate.
Second. he charges thatI have exerted
my oficial influence and work as SEN