Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-23

citing. Nearly every senator In the
chamber was on his feet. Groups Of sena-
tors we're gathered here and there about
the chamber, all discussing the porten-
tious event which had thrown the dienihed
body into a ferment.
Remove Real Of Secrecy.
AS soon as order could be restored Mr..
Blackburn said that as the seal Of secrecy
had been removed from the secret session
just held he was at liberty to say tina dur
ing that session he had made a statement
to the senate Of what the senator from
South Carolina (Tillman) was prepared
and pleased to say to the senate. He ex-
planned that both senators from South Car
olina had been declared in contempt
What he desired now to know, and he
wanted the chair to rule on the point, was
whether any statement could be made tc
the senate in open session by either OF the
senators while they were in contempt OF
the senate.
Mr.. Foraker interrupted to suggest that
unanimous consent be given to the senators
to make their statements.
Mr.. Blackburn declined to hear, for a
moment, any suggestion that unanimous
consent be given them to address the SEN
ate.
Blackburn Demands q RuIinR.
That they were in contempt, oil senators,
all the world. now knew. What be wanted
to know was whether senators in contempt
could address the senate, not as a matter Of
courtesy, but as a matter of right On
that point he demanded a ruling by the
chair.
The senior senator from South Carolina
(Ttllman), he continued, was willing and
anxious to make a statement TO the senate,
but he wanted to know how he could make
It. b action of the senate in declaring
Mr.. T1llman In contempt was, in his judg-
ment, premature.
Mr.. Hoar suggested that the senators
could address the senate by unanimous con-
sent. or by a motion giving them that priv
ilege.
MT. Blackburn objected to any unanimous
consent, maintaining that II the senator's
were accorded the floor In that way, they
held 1t for any purpose and had the I'M
doubted right to speak on any subject.
"oh, &c, no." came protests from all
parts Of the chamber.
Not n Court Case.
Mr.. Stewart of Nevada was about to suk-
gest the practice of courts in contempt
cases, but he was interrupted by Mr..
Blackburn with the statement that the
senate was not a court in any sense. The
senate had its own rules and by them only
could It be governed.
Mr.. Aldrich OF Rhode Island said there
was nothing in the rules Of the senate
which governed specifically such q VIOLA
tion of the order and dignity Of the body
as had occurred. AS both senators had
been declared by the senate to be In con-
tempt, it was manifest that they would not
take the floor except for the express pur-
pose of purging themselves Of that con-
tempt. He maintained that the senators
from South Carolina had been adjudged out
OF order by a vote OF the senate.
The discussion on this question was quite
lengthy and was participated In by Mr..
Blackburn, Mr.. Patterson, Mr.. Foraker and
Mr.. Teller.
Frye Gives His verdict.
other senators showed a disposition to
discuss the subject further. but the presi-
dent pro tenn, Mr.,Frye, announced that he
was ready to rule. and said:
While these two senators are declared TO
be In contempt. the chair could not near
chair, but on motion made by any senator
that they be heard, the chair would recog-
nize the senator making the motion and
The ordinary. trahsgression Of rules or VIC.
lation of order, the senator violating II
m raSssns a M his t ssai prs ana ne otieer aSa IiS
until the senate has relieved him from that
by motion. OF course the senators from
e soSdn IN Which they are now SO far as
recognition by the chair Is concerned by
a motion and by a majority vote of the