The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-04-13
THE MISSISSIPPI GRAFTERS
FIST FIGHT PREVENTED IN SEN.
ATE.
Othcr Senators Rush Between Mad
dened Men and Jerk Them Apart
BY Main FOrce-Ugly Charges Are
Brought.

Banks and Tucker made frantic eff
forts to lay hands upon one another
during the senatorial bribery investi-'
cation late today, and a personal en-
counter between the angry, shouting
men was only averted by strenuous
work on the part of their fellow sem
atOrs. Tucker, who is counsel for
Senator Bilbo, angered by the use Of
the shorter and uglier word, rushed
at Banks. Banks, white with anger
rushed towards Tucker. Other sena-
tors interviewed and roughly pulled
the men apart.
The quarrel came suddenly and un-
eXpectedly. L. c. Dulaney, charged
by Senator Bilbo with having paid
him bribe, had been on the stand.
He had denied the charge fatty and
was being cross examined by Senator
Tucker, of counsel for Senator Bilbo.
The witness was unshaken in his
denial of any crookedness, but de-
clared that Bilbo repeatedly limited
that he could be bribed, and repeat
edly asked for and received bottles
sentative Sowert intimated that he
would be averse to selling his vote.
Then came the explosion. Dula-
ney was asked by Tucker if Percy
had not paid the expenses of all SEN
atorial candidates except Vardaman
Senator Anderson. who was a candi-
date arose, stern and angry.
1T is an absurd and insulting ques-
tion," said Dulaney. A number of SEN
ators were on their feet demanding
recognition, President Protein Dean
was pounding for order, a dozen were
shouting and above the uproar could
be heard the trembling voice of Sem
atOr Anderson, shouting:
81 resent that question: I resent
the insinuation that I permitted any
one to- pay my expenses
From the rear of the senate slen-
der Senator Banks came rushing tc
the front. In a lull in the uproar
he got the floor and shouted:
ANY man who says or insinuates
that anybody paid the expenses OF
my friend. Congressman Byrd, is a
liar, as false as hell"
Senator Tucker made a rush at Banks
and Banks charged to meet him. Sena-
tors turned over tables and chairs to
get between the angry men. 1t look
ed like personal difficulty could not
be averted, but some rough handling
of the two belligerent senator's ended
in their being jerked apart After an
other wrangle, the question was with
drawn.
Then several senators demanded
that the newspaper men be instruct
ed" not to mention either the quarrel
or the wrangle between Senators
Banks and Tucker.
at was stricken from the record.
said President Protein Dean, and the
newspapers can not print anything
not in the record, or the result OF
anything not in the record, including
our little personal disagreements."
Then every one apologiZed Duia-
ney was excused and when things
quieted down a bit, the testimony
was resumed. Several witnesses tes-
titled to Dulaney's good reputation for
veracity and integrity.
At the night session w. w. Nit
chell, circuit clerk Of Polarvile, SEN
ator BilbO's home, testified that he
knew Senator Bilbos reputation for
truth and veracity and that he would
not believe the senator on oath.
w. A. White, an attorney from Bill
oXi, told of trying out Senator Bilbo
in 1908. A bill was drawn and sent
by man named Bob Woseley to Bill
bo Moseley returned md said:
"Bilbo did not give me chance to
make him a proposition. he made us
one"
Robert Moseley, formerly town
marshal of Biloxi, said:
Il went to see Bilbo, and when I
explained the bill he took out a lit
tie book, figured a while and said
1T will cost you $500" / offered him
q check, but he said he wanted
money"
After Moseley had testified, the
senate adjourned until tomorrow.