The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1911-12-16

His Language Regarding
Taft and Roosevelt.
Washington, Dec. f2.-The Senate
chamber and galleries were packed this
afternoon to hear Senator Percy's
speech denouncing the Cosmopolitan
article and replying to criticisms o1
Senator-elect Jas. K. Vardaman. In a
most remarkable address, that held the
closest attention of the vast throng that
listened to him, Senator Percy made il
clear that conditions had arisen that
prevent his resignation, saying that he
would welcome any investigation the
Mississippi legislature or United States
Senate might make as to his title.
Senator Percy read portion OF the
Cosmopolitan article and denounced it
bitterly, saying, "every honest man
feels called upon to answer calumny and
SANDER"
In his speech, Senator Percy referred
to Vardaman's assaults upon him; to
the part that Bilbo had played; touched
upon the result of the Senate investiga-
tion and the acquittal of Dulaney by
the courts of the State on the charge OF
bribery in connection with his election
to the Senate. He said mississippi
had in times past sent to the Senate
many men the nation had called great,
but never before had sent one whose
official honesty had been questioned by
his bitterest enemy. Never until the
last Legislature did the word bribery
enter its political arena, and then it
was brought in by man who has since
been elected Lieutenant Governor.
After denouncing the Cosmopolitan
article in the severest terms. Senator
Percy paid his respects to William Ran
dolph Hearst, it's owner, in no uncertain
terms, noting that the slanderous article
contained in that magazine had been
endorsed by Governor Vardaman. He
reviewed the Senatorial campaign, re-
citing at length many of its leading in
cidents during the session of the Legis-
lature and the canvass that followed.
After quoting from the Cosmopolitan
article, Senator Percy continued:
''If resigned in the face of that arti-
Gle, l would be untrue to the Legisla-
ture that elected me, to friends who
supported me, and to myself. If am
as currupt as l am painted in that arti-
Gle, should not be permitted to resign,
but should be branded with infamy and
driven in shame out of public life to a
prison cell. If the charges are false,
the man who vouched for their truth is
unworthy to represent Mississippi in
the Senate. If the charges are false,
he (Vardaman) is too dishonest for me
to assume the odium of inducting into
the Senate before the time fixed by
law"
Senator Percy then addressed himself
to the present Mississippi Legislature.
dominated by Senator-elect Bilbo, an6
invited it to pass resolutions calling fol
an investigation of his election, saying
that ii such a resolution is adopted by
that body he will present it to the
United States Senate and urge favor
able action upon it's adoption.
Commenting upon this invitation
Senator Percy said:
"If the Mississippi Legislature de-
sires to pass Il resolution. calling for this
inyestfgation, request that ii b. broac
enaogh tocaver the fitness Of the Sena
tor-eiact, against WHOM there is nov
pending a hili charging hin while Gov
ernor with embezzling varions trus
funds committed TO his custody"
In concluding his sensational address
Senator Percy said:
ssIf language used by me has beer
harsh, 1 plead that provoeation has beer
great. For eighteen months Vardamar
has ceaselessly attacked me in his paper
attempting to scourge me out of publ,
life. The opportunity viii soon be hi
TO reply; for eighteen months tried t.
get him to meet me face TO fade in :
Joint debate, that might answer hi
charge, but have seen only the bacl
of my opponent. If it be thought tina
my language to Vardaman is severe,
plead guilty. To use the words OF Sen
ator Lamar (referring to Senator Conk
ling on the floor OF this Senate), 81
was such as no good man would de
serve and no brave man would wear.