The Washington times., 1902-02-25
TWO SENATORS NOT
ALL0WED-:'T0 Vote
Aftermath of the TiHrpan-Mc-
Laurin Episode.
DEMOCRATS MAKE PARTY ISSUE
Senntor McLaurin Has Introduced n
Letter Calling for InvestigatiOn-
MIR. TiIlman Files Protest Against
Disfrnnchising His State.

The Tillman- McLaurin episode had sew
eral startling developments yesterday in
the Senate. despite the decision of Chair
man Burrows of the Committee on Privi-
leges and Elections. that it should not
take up the case yesterday and might not
do so for several days.
The most important of these develop
ments were the strenuous attempts of
Senator Tillman to secure the right TO
vote on the Philippine tariff bill. and the
McI.aurir plea that the Senate Committee
OIL Privileges and Elections be instructed
to investigate the charges made against
him by Senator Tillman
McLaurin Demands Investigation.
Senator McLaurin's demand for an in
vestigation was almost the first event Of
the session. A few minutes after the
Senate convened Mr.. Pritchard, who is
warm personal friend of Mr.. McLaurin.
arose and asked to have read a letter
which he had received from McLaurin and
a resolution
The letter was as follows:
"My Dear Senator-I was prevented. as
you know, from Offering the resolution
which l wrote at my desk on Saturday
demanding an investigation Of the charges
made by my colleague. by being adjudged
in contempt of the Senate.
Il am now debarred the privilege and
request you to introduce the resolution.
for the reason that II the charges are
true l am unfit to remain a member of
the Senate. and II they are untrue the
man who made them Is unfit to remain a
member of this honorable body. In any
event, feel that / am entitled to a vim
dication by the same body that makes in
vestigation in the proceedings for con-
tempt.
II herewith enclose the resolution.
Very truly yours,
JOHN LOW'N:DES MLAURIN."
The Resolution.
The resolution reads:
Whereas the senior Senator from the
State of South Carolina charged in a
speech on the floor of the Senate that
the junior Senator from the same State
had been improperly influenced in cast
ing his vote for the ratification of the
treaty of peace between the United States
and Spain; and whereas the said charge
was emphatically denied by the junior
Senator;
Resolved. That the Committee on
Privileges and Elections be directed to
investigate and report as to the truth of
the said charges, with full power to send
for persons and papers," .I
Mr.. Pritchard desired to have immedi-
ate consideration for the resolution, but
on motion of Senator Hale it was re-
ferred to the Committee on Privileges and
Elections.
Committee VIII Investigate.
1t is understood. however, that the in
vestigation will be made by the commit
tee during it's consideration OF the en-
broglio, and the belief is generally ex-
pressed that the charges against Mr.. Nc
Laurin will be declared to be improper.
The question Of the constitutional right
of South Carolina to be represented in the
proceedings of the Senate was forced to
the front by the Democrats when the vote
on the Philippine tariff bill began.
The unprecedented character of the
present situation and the gravity of the
contention of the Democrats caused much
hesitation on the part of the Chair and
OF the Republicans on the floor, and for
more than an hour the debate on the
question went on. although a rule had
been adopted by consent that there should
be no debate on any question during the
vote.
Democrats Persistent.
The Democrats were obstinately per-
sistant in their contention, against re-
peated points of order by Republicans
and rulings by the Chair. They absolute
ly refused to be silenced until they had
made their arguments, contendIng that
the question was of such vital Importance
to the Senate and to the nation that all
rules must give way before it.
The debate thus injected had two re-
suits. Prince Henry, in his visit to the
Senate heard a discussion OF the Tillman-
McLaurin fight. instead of an uniuterest-
ing counting of votes. and Senator Bailey
made what many Immediately declared to
be the speech Of his life.
The fight began when. on the first roll
call on the tariff bill, the names Of Sena-
tors Tillman and McLaurin were omitted.
senator Turner Protests.
Senator Turner OF Washington arose and
attempted to state that in behalf of Sena-
tor Tillman he would protest aginst the
omission OF mis- name from the roll call.
He was interrupted repeatedly by points
Of order. and finally made the point "a
question OF privilege"
The Chair refused to interrupt him
thereafter. despite the protests of the Re
publicans. and he made a short argument
hot h.. h.I ttrb n
State OF representation.
senator Foraker Replies.
Senator Foraker replied 10 him. at is
contrary to common dcccnry," he said.
for a member who is in contempt OF the
body to which he belongs to address that
body and to exercise all Its rights" He
suggested the question if the South Caro-
lima Senators would have been allowed to
vote had they been put in the custody Of
the Sergeant AT Arms.
Mr.. Mallory followed Nh Foraker.
The two South Carolina Senators. he
said, have been adjudged as in contempt.
but that is not punishmenta They are
simply in a state OF probation. to await
the final action of the Senate They are
exactly in the same condition as every
other Senator. Their names cannot be
struck from the list by the secretary or
by the order OF the presiding officer.
The proceedings were interrupted at
this point by the arrival of Prince Henry
and his suite and their Senatorial escort.
Prince Henry was given a seat beside the
President of the Senate and watched and
listened to the debate with apparently
keen interest.
Mr.. Bailey Voices Protest.
Mr.. Bailey was the next speaker.
"Thc Scnate can infict nnv nnnishment