The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-12-10
HIGHLY DRAMATIC SCENE
IN THE SENATE CHAMBER
CONTINUED From Page One.)

when Mr.. Jones concluded. In his
characteristic way he announced that,
while his name had not been mentioned
he realized that he was the cause of it
all He would not at this time make
an extended reply. Briefly, he re-
viewed the controversy between him
self and Senator McLaurin, which led
to the joint tender of their designations
to the governor of South Carolina last
spring and told of the governors sug-
gestion that the designations be with
drawn. Mr.. Tillman said he contend
ed that the governor was simply "A
box into which he had put letters for
the legislature" and that they could
not undo their act, but Mr.. McLaurin
had fastened to withdraw his letter,
Mr.. Tillman said he had examined
the record and of about 200 cases in the
history of the government where sena-'
tors had resigned, Mr.. McLaurin en-
joyed the enviable distinction of being
the only one who had withdrawn his
resignation after offering it, AS to
Mr. McLaurin's charge of conspiracy
to humiliate him by barring him from
the Democratic caucus, Mr.. Tillman
called attention to the fact that he had
not been in Washington during the eX-
ira session of the Senate last spring.
This conspiracy he said, is a
dream conjured up by him. 1t is the
creation of his own BRAIN
Mr. McLaurin made no reply to Mr..
Tillman but, replying to Senator Jones,
said he did not desire that there should
be anything personal in his charge that
there had been an "Ulterior purpose"
in anything ne had done.
Mr.. HOar (Mass) addressed himself
to the legality of the designations
which the South Carolina senators had
sent to the governor of their state
He declared that the resignation of a
legislative office vacates the office at
once, and that he doubted whether
such designations could be withdrawn
He said that Speaker Blaine had so
held on one occasion in the House con-
trary to the English notion that a
legislative Office cannot be resigned
/ He said a man could not be kept in
office against his will, and raised a
| laugh by observing that, in his opin-
ion, neither of the South Carolina SEN
ators had a right to address the SEN
ate if the statements made by Mr.. Till
man were correct.
Mr.. Tillman said he had been of the
same opinion himself, and, in with
drawing his resignation from the gov
! ernOr of the state, had added: IF it
were lawful to do So" He suggested
| that the judiciary committee should
I AOOh illlO NltC illlllti4 DIS ne SllOulu ell
/ joy nothing so much as washing the
dirty linen at home.
Jumping to his feet, Mr.. McLaurin
! declared in ringing tones, that he was
ready TO meet his colleague at any
| place or at any time, for the discussion
of the issues between them. There
! upon, in most dramatic fashion, Mr.
Tillman challenged his colleague to re-
| sign on the spot. Let us draw up the
/ n9naTG - G9iH no 90
to this man." pointing with out
stretched arm toward the presiding
officer, "and that will settle it." All
| eyes were turned upon Mr.. McLaurin,
but the latter did not rise from his
| seat or make reply.
Mr.. Hoar, explaining in detail the
| occasion upon which Speaker Blaine
had held that a resignation immedi-
| ately vacated a seat in the House, said
a resolution for the expulsion of a
member from South Carolina was about
! to be voted upon, and the member,
| knowing that the resolution would be
adopted, sent his resignation to the
| chair, with the intention of addressing
| the House and then offering it before
| the vote on the resolution was taken.
| AS soon as Speaker Blaine saw the
nature of the communication sent to
| him, he Immediately declared the seat
| vacant, thus putting an end to all fur
! Their proceedings Mr.. Hoar contended
| that if the facts bearing upon the case
! of the South Carolina senators had
| been correctly stated, it 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.
Mr.. Tillman said If his colleague
| would prepare any document that
would vacate his seat as well as his
! (Tillman's), he would be glad to sign
it. AS long as he represented the people
on the floor, he said in conclusion, he
| proposed to represent them honestly
and not in a fashion which was a dis
| grace to his state.
| Mr.. Lodge at this point announced
| smilingly that while the designations
were preparing, he would move that
| the Senate go into executive session.
After half an hour behind closed
doors, the Senate, at 2.55 p. m, ad-