The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-02-03
BRYAN'S VIEWS
About the Charges of Roosevelt
Against Senator TiIlman.
THE GNAT and CAME!

That Roosevelt Tried to Ruin Hin
Because He Has Dared to Crit.
else Some of His Acts.
Washington, Jan. 25.-The repu-
tation of William J. Bryan for hon
est fidelity to convictions prevents
anyone, eve Of his bitterest politi-
cal foes, from believing for a mo-
ment that he would defend a dis
honest public man or an act which
is inimical to the public welfare.
The following comment in the Com
moner, Mr.. Bryan's paper, concern
ing the recent collision between
Senator Tillman and the president
are Of more than ordinary interest.
The Commoner says:
The presidents attack on Senator
Tillman forcibly recalls the graphic
language employed by the N~azarene,
recorded in Matthew 1924: "Ye
blind guides which strain at a gnat
and swallow a camel" this littl.
verse is wedged in between two YER
ses, both of which begin, Woe unto
you scribes and Pharlsees, hypocri
tes." OF what is Senator Tillmar
guilty? The president charges tina
MI. Tillman denied that he haG
undertaken" to purchase any land
connected with the tract which b.
was endeayoring to have restored t.
the public.
The correspondence shows tina
Mr.. Tillman had expressed a desire
to have some land reserved for him
self and members of his family. Mr.
Tillman declares and there is moth
ing to dispute it, that while he hat
contemplated the purchase of land
he had not completed the transaction
and that he finally decided not to DE-
so. 1t might have been better If
instead Of using the word under
TAKEN" he had gone into detail an(
told the senators what correspon,
dence he had had.
But in view of the fact that the
purchase Of the land, and even il
1t had been made, would not have
been a violation of the law, and con.
sidering the further fact that moth.
ing MI. Tillman could have sai6
would have affected the subject I'm.
der discussion, 1t is not fair to con
denim him. He declared in his state.
ment before the senate that he ha6
told the attorney general that he
had considered the purchase of some
Of the land. The attorney general
does not remember the conversation
exactly as Senator Tillman does, but
even the attorney generals state
ment, as 1t stands, Is sufficient tc
]corroborate the testimony Of Senator
Tillman.
We may reach the time wheE
public sentiment will condemn par.
ticipation by any legislator in the de-
Gliding of any matter in which he has
the slightest pecuniary interest. but
that is not the law today, neither IL
it public opinion. A large number
Of the senators and members Of con-
gress are interested in nationa
banks as stockholders, directors OF
officials and yet no question Is raised
about their speaking and voting up.
on measures affecting the nationa
bank.
Senator Plat, Of New York, Is
interested in express companies, n
yet he takes an active part in the
consideration and decision Of ques.
lions affecting postal rate which
come into competition with express
rates. Many Of the senators an(
members are interested in railwa!
companies, and yet they take an &C
tive part in the consideration Of ratf
legislation and railroad regulation
Many Of the senators and member
are interested in manufacturing en-
terprises, and yet they speak am
vote upon the tariff laws which di
rectly affect their business.
Senator's and members are inter
ested in corporations known a
trusts, and yet they take part in tn
consideration Of measures affecting
the trusts. Judges often hold stool
in railroads which have cases before
them. Why this singing out o
Senator Tillman for anathema? /
no one could cast a stone unless b.
himeslf was free from sin, Senate
Tillman would have few accuser;
in either body.
Senator Tillman was endeavorin;
to recover for the public a larg'
tract of territory which a railroad
company was, in his opinion, unlaw'
fully holding. 1t would have beer
better, as 1t 10Y appears, If he haf
never thought of purchasing, for the
presidents criticism will go farther
than Senator Tillman's defense car
reach, and the senator will be con
demned by many who will forever
remain ignorant of facts. But is thu
senator's usefulness ended because
of this? He Immediately called at
tention of the misuse of his name il
this connection and protested agains
the attempt of spectators to use hin