The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-27
The TILLMAN- MCLAURIN CASE

1t Is reported from washington UnaC, Ill
though the senate considered the Till
man McLauren incident yesterday, no
definite conclusion was reached, but the
probability is that the two offenders
against the dignity of the senate will only
be censured and not suspended 1t is
urged that the business of the senate is
practically blocked. because OF the demo-
cratic resistance to the proposition TO
suspend the culprits, and that, really,
would be the only justification for letting
them off so easily.
These senators merit much more Sc
we're punishment than censure. Censure
is so mild punishment for the serious
offense committed that it seems but a
travesty of justice. Both senators fully
merit, not only suspension for day, a
month or year, but they richly deserve
expulsion from the body which, by their
atrocious conduct, they have insulted and
disgraced. The senate by mere censure
really condones an outrageous offense
against senatorial dignity, and, not only
that, but against the dignity and majesty
of the nation. Had Tfllman and McLau-
rim been members Of the old Roman SEN
ate the sensors would have expelled them
Immediately. 1t is most probable that, II
two members of the British house OF lords
or two members of the French senate
turned the floor of their respective houses
into a prize ring they would be expelled.
Whatever might be done with them, how
ever, is of no great Importance to this
country The duty Of our senate is clear
ly to remove from political life and place
a blighting stigma upon the two South
Carolina senators. The democrats, in
taking the attitude of antagonism to sus-
pension are deliberately arraying them
selves against law and order and the
dignity Of the senate and it will be great
ly deplorable if, through the unfortunate
ly too liberal traditions of the senate as
to debate, the republicans will have to
yield through the necessity of proceeding
to urgent public business. 1t is very
evident that the sentiment of the public
is, in large preponderance, favorable to
the extreme punitive process Of expul-
sion. 3.
The contemplate character OF the par
titan sympathy with Tillman is demon
strated in the announcement to President
Roosevelt by the lieutenant governor of
South Carolina, Colonel Tillnan, that the
subscribers to fund designed to buy a
sword which was to be presented by the
President to Major Jenkins, when he Wis
tied the Charleston exposition, had de-
cided to withdraw their invitation to the
president to make the presentation. The
reason given was an alleged affront per-
petrated by the president against the
dignity of Senator Tillman. This has
reference to the fact that the president
very properly, and, in accordance with his
public duty, withdrew his invitation to
Senator Tillman to be present at the din
ner given in the White Hause in honor
Of Prince Henry Of Prussia. Tillman
was then under the ban of the senate, for
contempt and it would have been a direct
insult to the company and a public con-
donation of Tillman's outrageous conduct
for the president to have seated the
blackguard at his table. Tillman declared
that the president had insulted him by
canceling the dinner invitation and that
he would have his revenge. Whether he
meant that he would challenge the presi-
dent to mortal combat or seek an oppor-
tunity to assassinate him is not known
A man who makes such threats against
the president has no right to sit in the
United States senate. The only way for
the senate to relieve itself from a recur-
renee of such blisteringly disgraceful
scenes as were enacted on its floor last
Saturday. and to save its dignity, is to
expel the two senators from South Caro-
lima. Let the senate remember the words
Of Publius Syrus: "Judex damnatur cum
nocens absolvitur."