The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-12-18

, not wished to vote against his part,
: upon the question of ratifying th'
peace treaty, and had it not been TO
the roopening of hostilitles in th'
Philippines he would have deferred tc
: the opinion, of his colleague'. But
he declared, {" the dictates of reason
and conscience should not bo stuffed by
the party LASH" With bitter words
Senator McLaurin then proceeded tC
excorlate the new leaders of the Demo
cracy, who, ne said, had guided the
party through its destruction during
the last six years, and who were trying
to cruelty those who would seek to
draw the Democratic party to Its old
allegiance. He was not one of those
who wished TO use the name of Demo
cracy for shroud in which to bury the
princip es of the old party.
Senator Hoar, of Massachusetts, ad-
dressed himself as to the legality Of
the reslgnations which the South Caro-
lima Senators had sent to the Governor
of their State. He declared that the
resignation of a legislative Office vacat-
ed the Office at once, and that he
doubted whether such designations
could be withdrawn. He SAID that
Speaker Blaine had 80 held upon one
occasion in the House cQntrary.to the
English notion that legislative office
cannot be resigned. He SAID that a
man could not be kept in Office against
his will, and raised laugh by observ-
ing that, in his opinion, neither of the
South Carolina Senators had a right TO
address the Senate if the statements
made by Senator Tillman were correct.
In reply to this sally Senator Till
man SAID he had himself been of the
samc opinion, although he was not q
lawyer, and in Withdrawing his rcsigna-
tioD from the Governor of the State
he had added that he withdrew it elf
1t was lawful to do So" He suggest
ed that the judiciary committee should
look into the matter, as he should en-
JOY nothing SO much as washing the
dirty linen at home.
Jumping to his feet Senator Nc
Laurln declared, IN ringing tones, that
he was ready to meet his colleague at
any place or at any time, for the dis
cussion OF tn issues between them.
Thereupon, in the mst dramatic
fashion, Senator Tillman challenged
his colleague to resign on the spot.
&" Let us draw up the papers now,"
said he, sand tender them to this man."
(ponting with outstrotchcd arms to-
ward the presiding otiicer) "and that
will settle IT," All eyes were turned
upon Senator McLaurin as Senator
Tillman paused, as if waiting for his
colleague to accept the challenge, but
Senator McLaurin, although looking
him steadily in the eye, did not rise |
from his seat or make reply.
Senator Hoar again took the floor
and explained in detail the occasion
upon which Speaker Blaine had held
that resignation Immediately vacated |
a seat In the House. A resolution for
the expulsion of member from South |
Carolina was about to be voteu upon,
and the member, knowing that the re.
solution would be adopted, sent his re-
slgnatiOn to the Chai1, with the inten-
ton of addressing the House and then
Offering 1t before the vote on the re-
solution was taken. AS soon as |
Speaker Blaine saw the nature of the |
communication sent to him he I'M
mediately declared the seat vacant, |
thus putting an end to all further pro- |
ceedings. Senator Hoar contended |
that if the facts bearing upon the case
of the South Carolina Senators had
been correctly stated 1T was doubtful
whether they were entitled to seats
upon the floor of the Senate at this |
time. He thought the committee on
privileges and elections should inquire
into the matter.
Senator Tillman said that he was
glad that his own legal instinct had
been backed up by 80 eminent legal
authority as the chairman of the Judi
ciary committee. If his colleague
would prepare any document that
would vacate his seat as well as his
(Tillman's) he would be glad to sign
1T. AS long as he represented the peo-
pie on the floor, he said, in conclusion,
he proposed to represent them honestly
and not in % fashion which was dis
grace to his State.
Senator Lodge at this point arose
and announced, with smile on his
face, that while the designations were
preparing he would move that the SEN
ate 60 into executive session. The
motion was carried.
After half an hour behind closed
doors the Senate adjourned.