The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1911-12-13
SENATOR PERCY
Will NOT resign
UNDER fire
ARRAIGNs COSMOPOLITAN MAG.
4AZINE AND VIM. r. HEARST,
ALLEGED OWNER.
GOES FOR EX-GOV. yVARDAMAN
Invites Senatorial Investigation and
N Tells of Suit Against Vardaman and
81 His Language Regarding Taft
and Roosevelt.

Washington, Dec. 12.-The Senate
chamber and galleries were packed
this afternoon to hear Senator Percy's
speech derouncing the Cosmopolitan
article and replying to criticisms of
Senatorelect Jas. K. Vardaman. In
most remarkable address, that held
the closest attention OF the vast
throng that listened to him. Senator
Percy made it clear that conditions
had arisen that prevent his resigna-
ton, saying that he would welcome
any investigation the Mississippi leg
islature or United States Senate
might make as to his title.
Denounces Cosmopolitan Article.
Senator Percy read a portion of the
Cosmopolitan article and denounced it
bitterly, saying, "every honest man
ees called upon to answer calumny
[ and SANDER"
In his speech. Senator Percy re-
ferred to Vardaman's assaults upon
Aihii, W tiO Bul Illdl Dido Hdu DlaY-
ed; touched upon the result of the
Senate investigation and the acquit-
tai of Dulaney by the courts of the
state on the charge of bribery in con-
nection with his election to the Sen
ate. 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 Of
ficial 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
Pays His Respects to Hearst.
After denouncing the Cosmopolitan
article in the seyerest terms, Senator
Percy paid his respects to William
Randolph Hearst, its owner. in no
uncertain terms noting that the
sianderous article contained in that
NAeazine had been endorsed by Gov
erllor Nardaman. He reviewed the
Senatorial campaign, reciting at
length many of its leading incidents
during the session of the legislature
ana the canvass that followed.
Refuses to Resign.
After quoting from the Cosmopoli-
tan article, Senator Percy continued:
"If resigned in the face of that
article. I would be untrue to the legis-
lature that elected me, to friends
who supported me, and to myself. If
| am as corrupt as I am painted in
that article should not be permitted
20 resign, but should be branded with |
iniamy and driven in shame out of
public life to prison cell. If the |!
charges are false the man who |
rouched for their truth is unworthy !
to represent Mississippi in the Sen !
ate If the charges are false, he(Var- |
daman) is too dishonest for me to as.
sume the odium of inducting into the !
Senate before the time fixed by law"
Invites Legislature to Order Investi-
cation.
Senator Percy then addressed him
self to the present Mississippi Legis-
lature, dominated by Senator-elecr
BilbO, and invited it to pass resolu-
tions calling for an investigation of
his election, saying that if such res
olution is adopted by that body he
will present it to the United States
Sep&te and urge favorable action
I'll its adoption.
Wohamenting upon this invitation,
Senator Percy said:
"If the mississippi Legislature de-
ssires to GOA resolution calling for
this investigation, l request that it
he broad enough to cover the fitness
of the Senator-elect against whom
there is now pending a bill charging
him while Governor with, embezzlins
Various trust funds committed to his
custody."
Has No Apologies to Make.
I: In concluding his sensational ad-
ress, Senator Persy said:
If language used by me has been