Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-04-05
TILLMAN ONCE DoWNED CANNON
How He Outwitted the Speaker on
Claim For Old Debt.


Claim For Old Debt.
THE Democrats played their game
poorly" said Senator Benjamin r. Till
man yesterday in the first interview he
has given since his illness, according TO
the Atlanta Constitution. He sat by
an open window at Robertson's sani-
tarium but the only evidence Of his
recent illness was a slowness Of enun-
citation and a slightly enfeebled voice.
His mind was keenly active, and he
was much interested in the recent
eruption" as he called 1t, in congress.
"They played their game poorly" he
repeated, when they called for that
vote to declare the speakers chair va
cant. 1t rallied the Republicans, In
surgents and all to Cannon's support,
for Republican is first, last and al
ways a Republican, and a patriot
secondarily.
There was no need for that move,'
the senator continued. Cannon had
been shorn Of practically all power
when they took from him the privilege
Of naming the committee on rules; and
If the Democrats had let matters stand,
he would have been politically lost.
The result of the call for vote re-
stored, in q measure, his prestige"
You do not think that Cannon will
ever regain as much power as he held
formerly, do you?"
No" the senator replied, never as
much. A part Of his power Is gone, but
ne hasn't slipped far enough to break
his neck"
What do you think will be the
eventual result?" was asked.
He will probably retire at the favor
able opportunity" said the senator.
will that not, practically, be an ad-
mittance of defeat?"
We'll, in measure" the senator re-
piled, but he is IA"
Are you and he friendly?' the ques-
ton was put irrelevantly, but 1t
brought a slight, humorous twinkle to
the senator's eye.
We'll, we are now, but l believe l
am the only man that ever downed
Cannon.
1T was about getting the govern
ment to pay an old debt to the state OF
South Carolina. First they tried to
show that my state owed the gov
ernment, but got the records for both
and in the end 1t was shown that the
government owed the state. / wanted
them to pay the debt, but old Joe was
opposed to it.
Il got Allison and Hale, two OF my
personal friends and leaders on the
Republican side to insert my claim for
South Carolina in a civil bill that came
up for conference adjustment on the Sd
of March the last day before final ad-
journment.
Cannon said that it shouldn't go
through; and I swore and be id that
1t should go through. Some Of my
friends said that they would help me
to filibuster in the session which met at
8 o'clock, and they kept the house
busy; 50 l sent out and got Byrons
Vision Of Judgment
Have you read it?" he interjected.
Well, it Is one Of the keenest OF BY
don's satIres, and some people think that
it is basphemy, but l have always
thought it a good piece OF work. l was
going to read them that.
But seeing that IL the civil bill was
not passed an extra session Of congress
would nave to be called to consider the
naval and civil bills, the opposition
gave in, and got the bill passed.
1T took Cannon long time to get
over that" interposed Mrs. Tillman,
quiet, knowing little woman, and the
senator smiled pleasantly.
DO you think Cannon will be return
ed to congress-" was the next question.
He will, If he wants to be. His peo-
pie like him-probably because he gets
things for them
That's the reason Atlanta hugs old
Lon livingston so closely, because he
got the United States penitentiary for
It. and l don't know how many other
things. Atlanta has a sweet tooth. y
THE Cannon fight was the first thing
that really interested my husband
since his Illness" said Mrs. Tillman.
Just six weeks ago, do you remem-
ber?" she said, turning to her husband,
you became i'll, and now you are get
ting we'll so quickly. So much more
rapidly than any Of us dared to hope
Mrs. Tillman had taken part In all
the conversation and showed such thor
ough knowledge Of tine political situa-
ton that the reporter said, laughingly,
as the senator and Mrs. Tillman start
ed out for their usual afternoon walk:
Mrs. Tillman knows almost as
much about politics as you do, sena-
tor"
Mrs. Tillman Is better politician
that I am" replied the senator, as he
walked slowly toward the outdoor sun