The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-01-11
CHARGES BROUGHT BY PRESl-
DENT CAUSE MUCH ExClT-
ED DISCUSSION.
SENATOR IN BAD HEALTH
South Carolinian Will Answer to Ac-
cusations Today Before Upper
House-Roosevelt's Actions Are
Condemned by Some-Rumor Says
Attempt to Hush Up Affair Failed.

Washington, Jan. 10.--No subject
has been discussed recently at the
| capital with such fervor as President
Roosevelt's disclosure of Senator Till
mans alleged connection with an Ore
gon land deal, but the colleagues of
the South Carolinian are inclined to
withhold judgment until he has an op-
portunity to explain. He will address
the senate tomorrow.
Many expressions of dissatisfaction
are heard because of the manner in
which the president made public the
material gathered by postoffice in
spectors about Senator Tillman 1t is
pointed out by senators that the mat
ter sent to Senator Hale was not in
response to the latters request to
the heads of the executive department
for a statement of the operations of
the secret service as the investigation
of senator Tillman's alleged efforts to
obtain Oregon lands was wholly un-
der the postoffice department and was
prosecuted by the inspectors of that
department. One senate leader ex-
pressed the opinion that, as the presi-
dent had had il his possession for
several months the information gath
cred about Senator Tillman it was
his duty to nstigate a prosecution if
he believed the facts warranted action.
A Rumor.
1t was rumored today that the presi-
dent has told friend that an effort
was made by Senator'S Hale and AL
drich to suppress the facts about
Senator Tillman Undoubtedly this
impression was gained at the White
House by visit to the president by
Mr.. Hale, who suggested that the
matter relating to Mr.. Tillman should
be withdrawn. 1t is said that the
Maine senator did not base the re-
quest upon the ground that it was not |
reply to the demand for
information about the secret service, |
but because of the fact that Senator |
'Illlman is in poor health and the |
charge was liable to rouse him to a |
pitch of excitement dangerous to his |
life.
President Roosevelt declined to with
draw the reference to Mr.. Tilman and
when Senator Hale would not make
I'LL
TiIlman Is III.
There is no question that the condi-
ton of Senator Tillmans health is
serious. When he went to Europe
asst March he was in a highly nervous
state. The trip resulted in a marked |
improvement, but his friends have no.
iced that his nervousness was re-
Some of the senators who
nave examined the evidence say the |
'ffense was one of improperly and in
discretion, but that no criminality is
involved. 1t Is said that Mr.. Tillman
night have introduced his resolution
'alling upon the department of justice
o begin proceedings to compel the
sale of the Oregon lands at $3.50 an
lcre, in accordance with the original
and grant, and at the same time ap-
'ly for some of the land without
making himself the target of criticism.
Disclosure Deplored.
To many the feature of the disclos-
ire most deplored by Tillmans col
eagues Is the appearance of an effort
0 hide the fact that he was an ap-
icant for nine quarter sections under
he terms of the original grant In
is statement last February the sena-
or said he had not bought any
'estern land, nor had he undertaken
0 buy any"
The evidence submitted by the presi-
ent shows that, prior to this state
lent, Mr. Tillman had made appica-
on for nine quarter sections. De- y,
ending himself against the appear
nee of having made a misleading
tatement, Senator Tillman told his
lends today that he should have said =
n the floor that he has not con
acted to buy any land, and that the
hole case against him had been built
pom the Interpretation placed upon
he word undertaken"