Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-02-28
BLoODSHED IN THE SENATE.
Tilman and McLaurn, the South Car.
Dina Senators, Engaged in a Fist
Fieht-McLaurin Gave the Lie Di-

The Senate chamber at Washington
was the scene Saturday of a sensational
encounter between the two South Caro-
lima senators. benjamin r. Tillman and
John L. McLaurin. Senator McLauriu
gave Senator Tillman the lie direct.
Tilman responded with a rush at his
colleague and "A blow, which McLaurn re-
turned. a plain, ordinary fist fight fol-
lowed. which lasted until other senators
and an assistant sergeant-at-arms sepa-
rated the bclligerents. The Senate i'm
mediately went into executive session To
discipline the offenders against its dig
nifty. and Messrs McLaurin and Tillman
We're adjudged guilty of contempt. The
encounter arose from MIR. Tillmans
charge that Mr. McLaurins vote for the
ratification of the Paris treaty had been
secured by improper influences, namely,
federal patronage.
In the course of a speech Senator Till
man charged that the Republicans knew
| how votes necessary for the ratification
were secured. Led on by nagging
| questions by Senator Spooner of Wiscon-
/ sin Tillman declared that the federal
patronage in South Carolina had been
| parceled out to Senator McLaurin TO Sc
| cure his vote.
McIaurin. who was in a committee
room at the time of Humans charge
arose to n question of personal privilege
| after his return and declared that the
| statement made in reference to him was
"a wlful. malicious. deliberate lie"
| Mr.. McLaurin got no further. Mr.. Till
man. who was occupying his regular seat
on the main aisle. sprang with tiger-likt
| ferocitY at his colleague. Mr.. Teller OF
| Colorado. who was sitting at his desk
| between the two South Carolina senators
was swept aside without ceremony. In.
deed. the Infatuated Tillman climbed over
him in his effort to reach McLaurin
Without the slightest hesitation Mr.. Nc
| Laurin sprang to meet the attack half
| way. Mr. Tillman aimed n wild blow
at his colleague with his right fist. II
| landed upon Mr.. MCLaurin's forehead
| just above the left eye, although its force
was partially spent upon McLaurin's
arm which he had raised in an effort
to parry the blow. Instantly McLaurin's
right arm shot out the blow landing
upon Tllman's face, apparently on the
nose. Again Tillman struck out fran,
tically. this time with his left hand, The
blow did not land upon McLaurin Their
| followed a wild scrimmage. both senators
clutching at each other madly.
Senators Warren and Scott. both OF
whom are powerful men, rushed toward
| the combatants to separate them As
sistant Sergeant-at-Arms Layton spranc
over desks in his effort to reach the bel
| ligerent senators. lust as he seized Mr.
| McLaurin. Mr., Tillman aimed a left
handed blow at his colleague which
| struck Mr. Layton in the face. The blow
was a glancing one and did no specia
| harm. Mr. Layton tore them apart
Both senators were still striking wildly
at each other, some of the blows landing
upon Mr.. Layton. An instant later they
were pinioned in the arms of Senators
Scott and Warren. They were dragged
further apart, although they still made
| Intellectual efforts to get al each other
| Finally they were forced into their seats
MIR McLaurin. although very pale
| seemed to he the calmer of the two Mr.
| Tillman was very white AS he sa
down he drew his handkerchief from
| his pocket and wiped blood from his face
This seemingly was flowing slightly from
his nose. Until that time it had no
been supposed that blood had been drawn
| in the encounter During the fight sen
ators all over the chamber were on theil
| feet. But not n word was spoken.
As soon as order was restored the gal
| leries We're cleared and the Senate wen
| into executive session.