Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-02-28
SENATORS UNABLE
To FIX PENALTY
They Fail to Agree on Punish
ment for TiIIman and
McLaurin.
REFERRED TO SUBCOMMITTEE.
Democrats Dema and That No Favor BE
shown IS Either Senator, Holding
That Both Are Equally Guilty-Sus-
g,easion Opposed Political Grounds.

al
Washington. Feb. 27.-The tangle in
which the United States Senate has in
voiyed itself since the Tillman-Mc-
lAasiriu fist fight of last Saturday is
an engrossing topic in legislative
Washington. Even Prince Henry is
monientarily forgotten by the grave
and perp1exed statesmen. The Senate
as doing no business-has been non
entity for two days, and it Is getting
deeper into the mire. No light is IN
sight.
The sessions of the committee on
privileges and elections yesterday in
dictate the pitfalls ahead. The Repub-
aican senators would punish Tillman
more than McLaurin and the Demo-
Gratis would mete out to both belliger-
ents the same dose OF justice. Joseph
w Bailey of Texas, one of the new
senators. who is on subcommittee
appointed yesterday by Chairman
Burrows of the committee on privileges
and elections, says he would favor ex-
pulsion rather than suspension. be-
cause expulsion would be constitution
ally permissible.
The other members of this sub-com-
naittee are Senator's Burrows. Foraker
and Hoar. Republicans and Senator
PettuS Democrat The subcommittee
is expected to plan compromise
scheme which it will present TO the
full committee Friday. There is small
hope that. il a compromise plan is
adopted by the subsidiary body, it will
be favored by the regular committee.
Senator Pritchafd of North Carolina,
In championing. MI. McLaurin's cause,
threatened to oppose any agreement
which contemplated a like punishment
Tor both the disgraced senators.
Mr.. Pritchard believes Mr.. McLaurin
should be censured and Mr.. Tillman
required to make an AFFECT apology.
Mr.. Bailey declares that suspension is
not to be thought of: other senators
side with MIR. Pritchard and many with
AIR. Bailey.
Suspension would mean temporary
expulsion" said Senator Bailey in
speaking of the matter. ct would pro-
ihibit South Carolina replacing the Of
Tending senators with other represen-.
tatives. 1t requires a tWO-thirds vote
to expel senator and he may be re-
placed by the governor of his state i'm
imediately. If suspension is to be per-
mitted majority vote only would be
required. A majority then would have
1T in its power to accomplish all the
penalties Of expulsion and more"
Senator Bailey pointed out the ease
with which in case Of a nearly equal
vote on the question the majority
might suspend two or more senators
to make up the necessary two-thirds
such as the existing condition demands
In his opinion. He also said the Paris
Ereaty was ratified by very close vote,
and applying this Interpretation to
that situation he asked, Would not a
majority of the Senate have been able
fby simply suspeuding sufficient num-
Der of members for week to secure
ahe required two thirds vote and rati-
Fly that treaty."
From all the evidence at hand it ap-
pears that the Democrats are anxious
that the Republicans shall not show
McLaurin any favor over Tiilman
The Democrats think. it is reported,
that the Republicans like McLaurin
for various reasons and do not like
7Tillman for other reasons. The Demo-
Gratis say tnat if the Republicans favor
McLaurin the other side of the Senate
will not, and hence it will insist on no
discrimination being made to ease the
disgrace in store for the junior senator
from the Palmetto State. This feel
ding among the two parties as repre-