Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-04-30
SENSATIONAL SENATE DEBATE
Hot Discussion Provoked BY Harves-
ter Letters.

Hot Discussion Provoked BY Harves-
ter Letters.
The first sensational political debate
in the senate at this session Of con-
gress broke Thursday over Col Roose-
velt's official correspondence about the
International Harvester Co., when he
was president in 1907.
Senator Bristow, Of Kansas, was the
principal speaker in support of Col
Roosevelt, and Senator John Sharp
williams, of Mississippi, was the for
mer presidents principal assailant. Mr..
Williams characterized the former
president as a modern Caesar, willing
to seize power by any means" while
Mr.. Bristow defended the colonel as
the modern tribune of the people and
severely criticised President Taft's ad-
ministratfon.
The debate became almost ultra SEN
sational, when Senator williams read
to the senate parody on the Apostles
Greed. as follows:
IT believe in Theodore Roosevelt,
maker of noise and strife, and in AM
bition, His only creed, (my Lord) He
was born Of love and suffered under
William H. Taft, was crucified, dead
and buried. He descended into Africa.
The third year he rose again from the
jungles, and ascended into favor, and
sitteth on the right hand of his party.
whence he shall come to scourge the
licked and the dead.
II believe in the Outlook, the Big
Stick, the Ananias club, the forgive
ness of political activity, the resurrec-
ton Of presidential ambitions and the
third term everlasting, Amen. Amen,
Amen"
The debate was precipitated by Sen
ator Bristow's return to his charge of
yesterday, that collusion had existed
between the senate and the depart
ment of justice in the sending Of the
official correspondence yesterday, and
that partiality had been shown In the
proceedings, in that only correspon-
dence regarding the course Of Presi-
dent Roosevelt's administration had
been sent to the senate, while the pa
pers relating to the Taft administra-
ton proceedings were not He assert
ed again that Attorney General Wick
ersham had his reply ready to send
when Senator Johnston's resolution of
yesterday reached him. and referred
to the fact that two similar resolutions
by Senators Overman and Lea-had
not been complied with.
Senator Johnston denied that there
had been an understanding.
Senator Bristow remarked that evf-
IDENTIFY there was no disposition on
either side of the chamber to criticise
President Taft, to which Senator Will
liams protested vigorously.
"If the senator can show me that the
present president has travelled in the
same way as the former president,
will condemn him as strongly as
would Mr.. Roosevelt" he declared.
'It would have to be matter OF
grave public concern, in which vital
interests of the country were affected
returned Senator Bristow, "before I
would dig up the confidential corre-
spondence Of my predecessors secre-
tary and his cabinet officers in regard
to matters which he had a perfect
right to believe would be kept within
the confidence Of the department and
print them for political campaign pur-
poses"
With that Senator Williams stepped
out of his desk and took a position In
the centre aisle of the senate, where
he said:
HE could be more impartial as be-
tween parties and factions" and en-
tered into a good natured lecture to
the Republicans.
Senator Bristow he referred to as
one of the chief uplifters of the present
time, who was still opposed to lifting
the lid from administration secrets.
He discussed the. correspondence made
public yesterday and then touched on
the third term"
third term?" he demanded. "Are you
going to forget what Washington, JEFF
ferson, Jackson, Lincoln and McKih-
ley did," and said: Are you going I"
put all that behind you because Of a
little keynote phrasing?"
Senator Nelson interjected that his
sympathies would be with the Demo-
Gratis If Col. Roosevelt should be elect
ed.
you will get the worst Of It," he
said.
Not the Democratic party only, but
the entire American people Will get
the worst of It," retorted Mr.. Williams.
He declared that II Americans were
not careful, they might sink into Cae-
sarism. He referred to the former
president as saint Theodore"
Perkins had said he would fight the
administration and he said 1t out
loud" said Mr.. Williams. He was not
willing to play In the presidents
backyard, IL the president would not
play right.
Mr.. Bristow closed the debate with
defence of Mr.. Roosevelt. He said
Mr.. Williams comparison Of Mr..
Roosevelt with Caesar was an insult to
the American character.
IF lie makes himself president" he
said, he will do so by responding to
public opinion"