The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1913-03-21
TlLLMAN DECLARES HIS
HEALTH IS IMPROVING
Senior Senator Gives Statement in
Regard to of Caucus Which De-
feated Him for Chairman
ship of Committee on
Appropriations.

Washington, March Ex-senator
Tillman left Washington tonight for
Clemson college, where he will spend
short time before going to Trenton
for the brief vacation between now
and the convening of congress in ex-
ira session April 7. The senator de-
clares that his health is improving
every day and, while the improve
ment is slow, he feels that it is last
ing and substantial, and that he will
be able by the work he will do when
congress meets again, to thoroughly
refute the statement that his health
is such that he could not have per-
formed the arduous duties that would
have been placed upon him as chair
man of the committee on appropri-
ations, which position he sought but
was denied by the democratic sem
ators in caucus. 1t is his custom ev-
cry evening to walk from the capitol
to his hotel at Fourteenth and L
streets, Northwest, distance of near
ly two miles, and he declares that this
form of exercise is quite beneficial
to his health.
Senator Tilman stated day or two
ago that he was now all right in ev-
cry respect, except that he seemed to
have some trouble with his memory
that it was not as accurate as it had
been In the past, especially as to
matters that were comparatively re-
cent. When this statement of his,
however, was brought to the atten.
tion of the young men in his office
one of them said, eyes, the Senator's
memory is getting very poor, but he
can beat any man remembering
things that ever came down the pike.~
He further stated that the senator's
memory was frequently more accu-
rate than his office letter files he
could remember letters and facts that
1T was hard for his assistants to To-
cate.
Has Big Committee.
The Craftsmanship of the commit
tee on naval affairs to which Senator
Tlllman was assigned by the steering
committee of the senate, is one of the
most attractive posts in the list of
committee assignments. 1t was held
Tor number of years by Senator
Hale, of Maine, and he was succeed
ed by Senator Perkins, of California.
Mr.. Perkins now gives place to Mr..
Gilman. Senators Penrose, Wetmore
and Lodge were among the majority
members of the committee under the
republican organization of the senate.
This shows that even a subordinate
position on the committee is not an
undesirable place for the leading
members of the senate, and the
Craftsmanship of the naval affairs
committee is one of the best berths.
Senator Tillman's friends are tell
ing him that he should inspect some
Of the distant navy yards, such as the
one at Bremerton, Wash, and Else
where, making the trips by sea.
These suggestions are jocular, of
course, but as chairman of the COM
mittee it will be proper for the sena-
tor to do a considerable amount of
such travelling and inspecting, and it
will incidentally be of great benefit to
his health if he does it. The compile
tion of the Panama canal will be
great event in naval affairs. 1t will
probably come while Senator Tillmal.
is chairman of the naval committee,
and in that connection he will have
plenty to do.
What He Planned.
The Craftsmanship of the commit
tee on appropriations, which Senator
Tillman sought is generally consider
ed as the most powerful committee
assignment, except during tariff ses-
sions of congress, when the commit,
tee on finance, which corresponds to
the house committee on ways and
means, assumes the position of high
est Importance. Conversation with
Senator Tillman, however, brought
out the fact very clearly that he did
not want the place because of it's
Importance or it's power, but because
he wished to exert his influence in
the direction of cutting down the
enormous expenditures of the gov
ernment.
1t is said that there was once an
appropriation bill passed the house
of representatives which was actually
cut when it reached the senate; but
it is doubtful if there is anyone who
can substantiate the statement The