The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-23
APOLOGIES TO THE SENATE.
Both Senators Say They Are Sorry for tn,
Incident
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, d. c., Feb. 22.--The
status of Senators Tillman and Nc
Laurin is that they are still in contempt
of the Senate and only by a vote of the
Senate can either be recognized either
to speak or to vote on any question
whatever. The Senate is operating un-
der clause of section 5. article /. of
the Constitution. which recites: Each
house may determine the rules of it's
proceedings, punish members for disor-
Derby behavior and with the concurrence
of two-thirds expel a member
The Senate adopted resolution de-
claring both Tillnan and McLaurin in
contempt. BY vote both We're allowed
to make statements. in which both apol-
ogized for their actions. But the Sen
ate took no further action and the reso-
luton referring the matter to the Com
nittee on Privileges and Elections is
still in operation, and until the commit
tee is discharged or the Senate relieves
the South Carolina Senators of the con-
tempt they must remain silent in the
Senate. This is the judgment of all
Senator'S who have considered the aues-
ton, and the presiding officer. it is said.
participate in the proceedings until the
order of contempt is vacated.
Mr.. Blackburn and other Senators
stated that tie two South Carolina SEN
ators were willing to apologize ana
thus purge themselves of the CONTEMPT
and in view of this view Mr. Hoar with
drew the portion of his amendment pro-
Viding for their commitment
E1Ys IL. ~
ment of Mr.. Hoar and it was embodied
in the resolution. Before the vote was
taken number of Senator's spoke, and
While they were many kind utrerances
regarding both Senators. there was no
exceptions in the opinions expressed as
to the gravity and seriousness of the
offense. Among the Senators who thus
delivered themselves were Messrs. Tel
Ter, Fairbanks, Hanna, Blackburn and
Spooner. Mr.. Hanna suggested that.
serious as had been the encounter in the
Senate. 1t was not so grave as the
charge of misconduct against Mr.. Nc
Laurin. and he thought that any invcs-
tigation etaken should extend TO that
matter.
Mr.. Teller, while uniting with other
Senator's in deprecating the occurrence.
said that it was not unprecedented that
there had been similar affairs upon the
floor Of the Senate and instanced among
others the encounter between Senator's
Benton and Foote. eli also suggested
that Mr.. Spooner was not entirely
blameless for today'ss occurrence. be-
cause by his interrogatories he had pro-
voked Mr.. Tillman to make explicitly
the chrages which had been but vaguely
made before his interference in the de-
bate
Replying to this statement, Mr.. Spoon
err said that he had been of the opinion
that Mr.. Tillman should either not make
his charges or move for an inquiry by
the Senate If he believed them to be well
founded
There was much discussion as to wheth-
nr the vote on the Foraker amendment
should be taken in open or in secret ses-
sion. motion was made by Mr. Teller
looking to the opening of the doors This
was voted down is to A.
The Republican Senators generally ex-
pressed themselves as willing to hear The
apologies promised but generally insist
Cd that there should first be action upon
the resolution.
On the suggestion of Mr.. Bacon there
was division OF tho two branches OF the
question. The first vote was taken on
the declaration that the two Senators
were in contempt and 1t prevailed By
unanimous vote of 81 to on q roll call
The remainder of the resolution referring
the matter TO the committee on Privi-
leges and Elections was adopted without
roll call. Both the South Carolina
Senator's remained in their seats during
l.
red occasionally with their friends. bur
neither made any attempt to address the
Senate,
After the secret session The Senate al
5;15 resumed business in open session
Evidence was abundant that the secret
session had been more or less exciting
Nearly every Senator in the Chamber was
on his feet. Groups We're gathered here
and there about the Chamber. all dis
cussinS The poftentous event which had
thrown the dignified body into fcrment
As soon as order could be restored
Mr.. Blackburn said that as the seal OF
secrecy bad been removed from the Sc
cret session just held he was at liberty to
say that during that session he had made
q statement to the Senate of what the
Senator from South Carolina. CHR. Till
MANI was prepa red and pleased to say
70 the Senate. lie explained that both
Senator's from South Carolina had heer
declared by the Senate ITO be in contempt
What he desired now to know and ha
wanted the chair to rule upon the point.
vas whether any statement could be
made to the Senate in open session by
either of the Senators while they were
In contempt OF the Senate.
Nr. Foraker Interrupted 10 suggest
that unanimous consent he given to the
Senators to make their statements
. Mr.. Blackburn declined TO hear for q
utoment any suggestion that unanimous
consent be given them TO address the
Senate That they were in contempt al
Senator's, all the verdi now knew, wha;
lie wanted 10 know was whether senators
in contempt could address the Senate.
not as D matter of courtesy. but IS q
matter Of right. On that point he de-
manded ruling By the Chair.
The Senior Senator from South Caro-
Ina, fTillman) he continued, was willing
ard anxious to make statement TO the
Senate. but he wanted to know II he could
mako It. The action Of the Senate in de-