The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-09
MCLAURIN AND
TILLMAN CLASH.
Former Protests Against
Action Of Democrats.
BOTH 10 OFFER THEIR RESERVATIONS
Senate Goes Into Executive Ses-
sion IN Order to Give the South
Carolinians Time to Pre-
pare Papers

Senator McLaurin Of South Carolina to-
day sprang a surprise on the floor CT the
Senate He arose to a question Of per-
soDaI privilege and protested against me
action CT his Democratic colleagues in
excluding him from their party caueuses.
He claimed that he was not a man with
out party, but was a good Democrat and
as such demanded his rights. If he was
not entitled TO them, he said, he would
tender his resignation as a United States
Senator.
His remarks were aimed directly at Sen
atoT TilIman, who sat close to the speak
er, and smiled through the impasstoned
utterance.
Senator McLaurin declared that the
fight being waged against him IVES
personal one but was aimed at his party
and had been inspired by clique who
would rule It
Jones and TiIiman Reply.
Senator Jones. Chairman Of the Demo
cratic National Committee. was almost
within reach of Mr.. McLsurin's arm as he
made his numerous and vigorous gestures.
Mr. Jones explained the details OF his con-
versation with Senator McLaurin which
ended in his exclusion from the list Of
these invited 10 the Democratic caucus.
and stated that he had acted directly in
line with Mr. EicLaurin's wishes. and
characterized that gentIeman's statement
of today as contemptibIe
Senator Tillman replied 10 Mr. NcLaurin
by saying: 4 suppose I am the cause Of all
this He sarcasticaIIy referred 10 Mr.
McLaurin as the teacher of new evan
gel, the creator OF new party, and as
the denunciator of the TiIIman wing Of
the party in South Carolina" Mr. Till
man gave an account Of the recent series
Of joint debates between himself and Nj.
NcLaurin which led TO their recent resig-
nations, which the Governor Of South
Carolina failed to accept. He said Mr..
McLaurin declined unwiIEingIy after
woTming and squirming
The designations, Ar TTlman said.
went by mistake TO the Governor instead
Of 10 The Vice President OF the United
States, intimating that Mr. McLaurfn
knew The Governor would act as he did.
Mr. TilIIaan denied any conspiracy to
force McLaUrin out Of the Senate and sar-
castically referred to his colleagues ef-
fort 10 prove that one existed.
Mr. McLaurin accepted Jones disclaimer
Of an ulterior purpose on the part os the
latter n squeezing him out OF the Demo-
cratic caucus.
Both to Resign.
Senator Hoar asked Senator TfIlman
how It happened that he and his col
league are sitting in the Senate today if
they resigned, those designations not
having been refused by any proper au-
thority- Tillman said the Governors ac-
tom was against his advice, and he was
willing now to have both seats from
South Carolina declared vacant and
let the people of South Carolina decide
the case to suit themselves.
Senator McLauriH at once agreed to
the proposition, and TiIIman dramatically
called upon him to sign the papers here
and now" and hand them to him, point
ing to the President Of the Senate.
This caused mild sensation in the
Senate and in the galleries.
At this point Senator Lodge ended the
by abruptly moving that
while the designations are being pre-
pared the Senate proceed to executive
session
The motion prevailed and the doors
were closed for the consideration Of the
Hay-P -Pauncefote Canal Treaty