New-York tribune., 1902-02-23


Mr. Teller while uniting with other Senators
in deprecatirg the occurrence, said that 1t was
not unprecedented, that there had Deen olheI
similar affairs on the floor of the Senate. and
instanced among others the encounter between
Senators Benton and FOOte. He also suggested
! that Mr. SpOOner was not entlfely DIailleleSs lOi
to-day's occurrence because by his interroga-
tOns he had provoked Mr.. Tilman 10 make eX-
plicitly the charges which had been Vaguely
made before his interference in the DEBATE.
Replying to this statement Mr.. Spooner sald
he had been of the opinion that MI Illlilan n so
/ should either not make his charges or move Ior
an inquiry by the Senate if he believed then 10
be well founded. 49,,
There was much discussion to whether the
vote the Foraker amendment should be taken
in open in secret session.
A motion made by Mr.. Teller LOOKING !"
the opening of the doors rms was I Nole 49, 49,
Is to ~. Senators generally expressed tnen-
selves willing to hear the apologies proihIseu'
but insisted that there should hrst DE- dSI'o'
the resolution.
On the suggestion of Mr.. Bacon there was
division of the two branches OF the queStIoIi.
The first vote taken on the declaration IHdt
the two Senators were in contempt, ana II pre-
vailed by a unanimous vote of 6l 70 q on a ron
call The remainder OF the resolution reterrhs
the matter To the Committee on FrlNllTses anu
Elections adopted without a rollcall
Both the South Carolina Senators rehaiheu i III III
their seats throughout the secret session. T,
conferred occasionally with their trlends' put
neither made any attempt to address the 9e""'''
IN OPEN SESSION AGAIN.
After the secret session the Senate at 7I'
o'clock resumed business in open session EVl-
dence was abundant that the secret session had
been exciting Nearly every Senator in the
chamber was on his feet. Groups Of Senators
were gathered here and there about the cham
Der, all discussing the affraY which had thrown
the dignihed body into ferment As soon as
order could he restored, Mr. Blackburn saG
that the seal of secrecy had been removed
from the secret session just held. ne was at
liberty to say that in that session he had made
a statement to the Senate of what Mr. Timan
prepared and pleased TO say to the senate.
He explained that both Senators from South
ha6 declared
be in contempt What he desired now TO know,
and he wanted the Chair TO rule on the point
was whether any statement could be made 10
the Senate in open session by either OF the Sena-
tors while they were in contempt
Mr. Foraker interrupted to suggest that i'm
mediate consent be given TO the Senators to
make their statements
Mr. Blackburn declined TO hear for moment
any suggestion that unanimous consent he given
them to address the Senate. That they were in
contempt all Senator'S all the world now knew.
What he wanted to know whether Senators
in contempt could address the Senate. not as a
matter Of courtesy. but as a matter of right.
on that point he demanded ruling by the
Chair The senior Senator from South Carolina
Mr Tillman). he continued. was willing and
anxious to make statement to the Senate, but
action Of the Senate in declaring Mr.. Tilnan IN
contempt was, In his judgment, premature.
DEBATE OVER PROCEDURE
Mr.. Hoar suggested that the Senators could
address the Senate by unanimous consent or by
a motion made 10 give them that privilege for
which a majority of the Senate should vote.
Mr.. Blackburn objected to any unanimous con
sent maintaining that IL the Senators We're al
lowed 10 take the floor in that way they held il
for any purpose and had the undoubted right To
speak on any subject.
oh no. no." came protests from all parts Of
the chamber.
Mr.. Stewart of Nevada. was about 10 suggest !
the practice OF courts in contempt cases. but he
was interrupted by Mr.. Blackburn with the |
statement that the Senate was not court in /
any sense The Senate had its own rules and /
by them only could it be governed.
Mr.. Aldrch. Of Rhode Island said that there /
was nothing In the rules Of the Senate which /.
covered specifically such violation of he-order [
and dignity OF the body as had occurred As /
both Senators had been declared 10y the Senate /
To be in contempt. however, IL was manifest that |
they could not take the floor. except FOR the /
contempt He maintained that the Senators |
from South Carolina had been adiudged out Of !
order practically by vote Of the Senate.
The discussion on this question was long. and |
was participated in by Mr.. Blackburn. Mr.. Pat |
terson, Mr.. Foraker and Mr.. Teller.
MIR. FRYE's RULING
Other Senators showed a disposition to discuss |
the subject further. but President Pro Tenn Frye |
announced that he ready rule. and said: |
While these two Senators are declared To he |
in contempt the Chair could not recognize |
either If he should rise and address the Chair. |
but on motion made 10y any Senator that they |
be heard the Chair would recognize the Sena-
ter making the motion and would hold that the |
motion in order. In the ordinary trans |
gressiOn of the rules violation of order the |
Senator violating it must take his chair and |
he cannot be recognized by the presiding officer /
again until the Senate has relieved him of that |
by motion. or course, the Senators from South |
Carolina can be relieved from the condition i'm |
which they are now so far "a recognition hy |
the Chair is concerned by a motion and by a /
majority vote OF the Senate. What will hap
pen after the two Senators have purged them |
selves. so far it is possible of the contempt
the Chair will be prepared to rule whenever
that question is raised.
At the conclusion Of the ruling Of Mr. Frye
Mr.. Blackburn said.
Il move that the senior Senator from South
Carolina be given the floor"
jected Mr.. Spooner.
Il move that the two Senators from South
Carona'-- began Mr. Blackburn.
That's right said Mr.. Spooner
BE given the floor continued Mr. Black
purn, to make any statement i'm their own way
tempt"
The motion carried
TILLMAN's APOLOGY.
in a breathless silence NIr. Tillman rose to
address the Senate. He was calm and collected
and gave no indication by his manner Of the
scene in which he had been one Of the PRINCIPAL
actors Il short time before He spoke deliber-
ately. and every one of the hundreds of auditors /
leaned forward eagerly TO catch his words He
said
Mr.. President, | have always esteemed if .
high honor and privilege to be a member OF this /
body. mad never had any legislative experi- |
ence when | came here. and my previous service !
as Governor of South Carolina for four years
had untitled me in a measure tn enter tbis |
august assembly with that dignity and reoarJ |
proper regard, | will say-for its traditions
and habits and rules that is desirable.
| have been here several wears have in !
tnat time learned To judge men with a little
more cathoietty of spirit than I did when |
came here. | have found a great many people
here in whose personal integrity and honor and
regard for their obligations as gentlemen |