Evening star., 1902-02-24
AGAIN STIRRED UP
Mr.. Wellington Challenges
Colleagues Statements.
TOLD TO TAKE HIS SEAT
WAS PROMPTLY CALLED TO OR.
DER FOR REMARKS.
Investigation Moved of Tillman1
Charges Against McLaurin-Re-
ferred to Committee.
TOLD TO TAKE HIS SEAT

falsehood in open session of the Senate
The charge was preferred this afternoon
but was couched In parliamentary language
and did not lead to another personal alter
cation. Senator Wellington of MaryIand
uttered the remark. and 1t was directed TO
his colleague. Senator McComas
He said that II Mr.. McComas would re-
peat outside of the Senate certain state
ments that he had made in the chamber he
would tell him that he had uttered a cow
ardly and malicious falsehood.
Senator Wellington was Immediately
called to order and required to take his
seat This put an end to the incident Tor
the time. and the general debate pro-
ceeded
The Senate.
When the Senate met at IL o'clock this
morning there was small bunch of carna-
tions tied with blue ribbon on the desk
of Senator Tillman of South Carolina. Mr.
Tilman did mot arrive in the Senate cham
ber until five minutes after IL. and he at
once ordered them away. Senator Nc
Laurin had preceded him and was in his
seat before that body was called to order.
Neither Of the senators showed any evil
dence of their combat last Saturday. Mr..
McLaurn of Mississippi went over 20 the
seat of his namesake from South Caro-
lima and the two conversed pleasantly for
some time
The little bunch of flowers the desk
of Senator Tilman had card attached to
it with the inscription From an admirec
of true American but it bore no indica-
tion of who the admrer was. There was
some comment on the propriety of having
such an evidence of approval Of the con-
duct OF the South Carolina senator placed
on his desk especially as that conduct has
placed him in contempt of the Senate. but
no one interferred. When Mr.. Tllman
came into the Senate he took his seat with
out speaking to any one and no one spoke
to him. He sat silently few minutes,
when he moved to the next chair beside
Mr.. Teller of Colorado. with whom he
talked for short time. While there the
galley proofs of his speech delivered In
the Senate last Saturday, which was with
held from the Record for revision. were
brought to him and he went back to his
own desk and began reading them.
An Investigation Moved.
At the conclusion Of the morning business
Mr. Pritchard OF North Carolina arose and
read a letter addressed to him by Senator
McLaurin of South Carolina requesting that's
an investigation be held into the charge
made by his colleague In relation to his
action in voting for the Spanish treaty.
WASHINGTON February p. 1902.
ITO the Hon. j. G. Pritchard, United States
Senator Washington:
my Dear Senator: l was prevented, as
you know, from offering the resolution
which l wrote at my desk on Saturday de-
manding investigation of the charges
made by my colleague by being adjudged
In contempt of the Senate. l am now de-
barred the privilege, and request you to in
troduce the resolution, for the reason that
If the charges true | am unfit to
main a member of the Senate, and if they
are untrue the man who made them is unfit
to remain a member of this honorable body.
In any event l feel that L am entitled to a
vindicatfon by the same body that makes
investigation in the proceedings for con-
tempt l herewith inclose the resolution.
JOHN LOWNDES McLAURIN."
Mr.. Pritchard then offered the following
resolution authorizing such an investiga-
tion
''Whereas the senior senator from the
state of South Carolina charged in speech
on the floor of the Senate that the junior
senator from the same state had been i'm
properly influenced in casting his vote for
the ratification of the treaty of peace be-
tween the United States and Spain; and
''Whereas the said charge emphat-
icaliy denied by the junior senator.
Resolved. That the committee prlvf-
leges and elections be directed to inyesti-
gate and report to the truth of the said
charges. with full power to send for per-
sons and papers.
The Resolution Referred.
There was evidently no intention on the
part of the Senate to have a discussion OF
the incident of Saturday. Mr.. Hale was
promptly on his feet TO object to any course
except to one that would prevent any i'm
mediate consideration of the resolution. and
moved that il be referred to the committee
on privileges and elections. When that mo-
tion put by the presiding officer there
were votes in the negative.
When this had Ill
of Mr. McLaurin left the Senate chamber
and later on Mr.. Tiilman also retired. Be
fore Senator Tilman left Senator Patter-
son of Colorado passed him. and in doing
shook his hand cordially but did not
stop to engage in any conversation He did
not leave the Capitol however. and was in
and out of the chamber for some time.
Opening Prayer Was Omitted.
A curious omission is recalled in connec-
ton with the senatorial isticuff OF Satur-
day. Saturday morning the blind chaplain,
Rev. Mr.. Milburn, was not present upon
the meeting of the Senate at IL o'clock and
the presiding officer called the Senate 10
order and began the business of the day
without the usual offering of prayer There
was no failure TO have prayer in the Senate
this morning.
Philippine Bill Taken Up.
The Philippine tariff bill then was taken
being limited to fifteen minutes each
Mr. Hoar opened the debate. He said
that he intended to vote for the measure
unless something was presented that did
not seem to be there
Mr.. Foraker (Ohio) defended the Philip
pine commission, and advocated the adop-
ton of his amendment to reduce the rate
on Philippine products coming to the Unit
ed States TO % per cent of the Dingley
law.
Mr. Turner (Wash.1 criticised those who
in piecfed the late Presidents name in the
debate either to defend policies or shield
themselves. N
Mr. Berry (Ark.) spoke against the pend
ing measure He declared unjust Mr..
Srooner.s "tirade" against the democrats
who had voted against the treaty OF Paris.
Mr.. Dolliver, speaking in favor OF the
bill. declared that he assumed his position
In the debate owing 10 the bewiidering
variety of the talent that had been
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