The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-02-26
TULMAN AND McLAURIN
Fieht on Floor of the United States Senate
TIan, in Course Of Speech, Asserted McLaurin had Sold
His Vote to Republcans-Junior Senator Declares Charge
Wlf,d and Malicious Lie.

IL.
some letters from soldiers In the Philippines
detailin the alleged crueltieS practiced upO
the natives by the American forces. He toll
OF leo Fillipinos. of whom, the writer stated
the water cure had been administered, resu II
ing in the death OF all but 2G of them.
Mr.. Hoar Interrupted 10 say that he had re
ceived many letters, making charges againS
the American forces, but in every inStanc
the writer's had given him the Information
either In confidence or as Incidents of which
they merely had heard and OF which the,
protested against information Of that kind
and declareu:
~ do not want any body 10 tell me in stric
confidence of u murder"
Mr.. Burton Of Kansas In erru pied TO defent
Gen. Funston, npon whom, he said, the com
meats of Mr.. Tillman had reelected, as tn,
soldiers were charged in the letters the Soutl
Carolina senator had read with the crueltie
were under Gen. Funston's command. Mr.
Burton read Gen. Funston's explicit denia
Of the very story which had been referred t
by Mr.. Tiilman, the denial concluding with
this statement:
This statement wish to brand rs an afro
cious lie. without the slightest foundation
Statements of this kind are simply bragga
iocio: and this braggadncio is repeated In The
senate Of the United States"
Mr.. Burton quoted Gen. Funston as saying
I hat practices OF this kind sometimes were
resorted to by the Macabebe scouts (natives.
"That's q confession of the truth of the
charges" shouted Mr.. Tlllman. He discRim
ID, however, any reflection upon Gen. Funs
ton. Soon after ward Mr.. Tiilnan concluded
nis remarks.
M'LURIN RISES TO SPEAK.
Scarcely had be resumed his seat when
there was enacted one OF the most sensational
scenes ever witnessed In the history OF the
United States senate.
Pale to the lips and trembling with emotion
which in vaiE he endeavored 10 control, Mr.
McLaurin OF South Carolina rose and adress
cd the senate, speaking TO question OF per.
sonal privilege. Instantly a hush fell over
The senate and over the people In the throng.
I'd galleries. The very atm osphere seemed
with excitement. With breath.
less interest The auditors, both on the floor
and In the galleries, hung upon every word
uttered by The South Carolina senator. Des
pite the emotion undeH which be was labor.
ing, Mr.. McLaurin seemed TO be the calmest
man in the chamber. He spoke with deIioe.
ration, and his enunciation was clear and
distinct. Every word he uttered seemed to be
telt, as well as beard In The remotests parts Oi
the historic old hall.
DRAMATIC SILENCE BEFORE TIE STORM.
"Mr. President" he began" rise TO a
question OF personal privilege"
He had voiced less than a dozen words, YET
The excitement by this time had become in.
tense. All seemed to realize that porter.
lous event was about to happen. Senator
Scott of West Virginia moved restlessly about
In the rear The chamber, and Assistant Ser.
geantat-Arms, b. w. Layton, rose from his
sea; as II TO listen the better to what WAS about
10 be said.
during my absence" continued Mr.. Nc.
Laurin, "a few nom en- ts ago from the senate
in attendance upon the committee
on Indian affairs, the senator who has lust
taken his seat, (Mr. Tillman,) said that inI
proper influence had been used in changing
l. .F.xx.S et.l Sl,@s
went on later and said that 1t applied to the
senator from South Carolina, VINO had been
given the patronage In that State. / think
got the sense of the controversy"
Still controlling himself with an effort, hui
still speak Ing very calmly and with careful
modulated tone, Mr.. McLaurin said, and his
words cut through the senate chamber Ike q
knife:
~ desire to state, Mr. President-I would
not use as strong language as intend. had
not soon after the senate met, replied Il
those insinuations and said that they were
untrue.
IL now say" continued Mr.. McLaurin, with
distinct emphasis upon every word, and hal
turning toward his colleague, Mr.. Tilman
VINO sat IN the same row only three seats
away. that the statement Is a wiltul, malic
ious. and deliberate lie."
MIR. McLaurin got no further with his state
ment.
TILLMAN STRIKES.
Mr.. Tillmap, who was occupying his regu
lar seat on the main aisle, sprHng with tiger
ike ferocity at his colleague. Mr.. Teller oI
Colorado, who was sitting at his desk between
he two South Carolina Senators, was swept
aside without ceremony. Indeed, the infuri
ated TiilmRn climbed over him In his effort
10 reach McLautin. Without the slightest
y esitAtion MeLAurin sprapg TO meet the at
tack half way.
1illman aimed q wild blow at his col Ieague
with his right fist. 1t landed upon McLau
RIMS forehead, just above the LETT eye
although It's force was partially spent upon
arm, which he raised In an effort
TO parry the blow.
M'LAURIN DRAWS BLOOD.
Instantly McLaurin's right arm shot out
the blow landing upon TilIman's face, appar
emily upon the nose. Again Tillmau struck
The blow did not land upon McLaurip. Then
followed wild scrimmage, both senators
clutching at each other madly.
Senator's Warren and Scott, both OF whom
are powerful men, rushed toward the com.
oatants TO separate them. Assistant Sergeant
alarms Layton sprang over desks in his eff
tort TO reach the belligerent senators.
just as he seized McLaurin, Tillman aimed
a left handed blow at his colleague which
struck MIR. Layton in the face. Fortunately
The blow was gancing and did no special
harm. Mr.. Layton tore them apart. Both
senators still were striking wildly at each
other, some of the blows landing upon MIR
Layton.
THE SENATORS PINIoNED.
An instant later, the angry senators were
pinioned in the arms of Senators Scott and
Warren: They were dragged further apart
they still made ineffectunl efforts tC
reach each other. Finally they were forced
int TO their seats.
Mr.. McLaurin, although very pale, seemed
to be the calmer of the Two. Mr.. Tillmau was
as white AZ d sheet. AS he sat in bis seat, he
drew his handkerchief from his pocket and
wiped blood from his face that seem'ugly was
flowing slightly from his nose. Until that
time II had not been supposed that blood had
been drawn in the encounter.
During the fight senators all over the chaHl-
Der were on their feet. Not word. however
was spoken. The senate never In It's history
had received such n shock.
The president pro TEN (Mr. Frye was the
irst to regain composure In calm and un.
impassioned tones, he directed that the sen.
Hte be In order. He raped sharply two OF
three times with his gavel and in few min
uies semblance OF order was obtained, al
though senators, having by this time partial
~ recovered from the shock, moved hurried y
about the chamber
CALLED FOR CLOSED DOORS.
Mr.. GalInger was frs, to address the chair
"Mr. President.' said he, 81 ask that Iht
doors be closed"
Again the president pro trr. requested tn,
senate To be IN order and that senators resume
their seats
1t was reserved for Mr.. Prichard Of Nor,t
Carolina, in measure 10 relieve the SiraiI
under which all were lahoring. He desired
10 address the senate on the pend NJ Philip
plne bill, and calling for the attention of tb,
chair he said:
"lf the senator from South Carolina (Mr
McLaurin) has cOncluded"-
He was interrupted by Mr.. McLaurin, wht
said very calmly:
IL will now proceed with my remarks whicl
were so unceremon!ouSly interrupted"
M'LAURIS CALLED TO ORDER.
~ call the senator from South Carolina 4
order" interrupted Mr.. Teller.
(which one OF The senator's" inquired MI
NIcLaurin with some asperity.
~ uoIH roll ipl ,