The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-23

lad been declared by the Senate to be
contempt. however, 1t was manifest
hat they could not take the floor except
or the express purpose of purging them
selves of that contempt. He maintained
hat the Senator'S from South Carolina
lad been adjudged out of order practi-
ally by vote OF the Senate.
The discussion on this question was
quite lengthy and was participated in by
Mr.. Blackburn, Mr.. Patterson, Mr.. For
tker and Mr.. Teller.
Other Senator'S showed a disposition to
liscuss the subject further. but Presi-
lent pro tenn Frye, was ready TO rule, and
said;
while these two Senators are de-
Jared to be in contempt the chair could
lot recognize either, il they should rise
and address the chair; but on motion
made by any Senator that they be heard,
he chair would recognize the Senator
making the motion and would hold that
he motion was in order. In the ordinary
ransgression of the rules or violation or
,rder 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 mo-
ion. OF course the Senator'S from South
carolina can be relieved from the con-
iition in which they are now so far as
ecognition by the chair is concerned by
1 motion, and by majority vote of the
Senate. What will happen after the two
Senator's have purged themselves so far
as 1t is possible of the contempt, the
hair will be prepared to rule whenever
hat question is raised
e e t..
frye. Mr.. Blackburn said: Il move that
the senior Senator from South Carolina
De given the floor
'Why. one Senator from South Caro-
ina?" interjected Mr.. Spooner.
Il move the two Senator'S from South
Carolina began Mr.. Blackburn.
That's right" said Mr. Spooner
-"he given the floor" continued Mr..
Blackburn. to make any statement in
their own way to the Senate to purge
hemsclvs of the contempt"
The motion was carried.
In a breathless silence. MIR. TilIman
'ose to address the Senate. He was
calm and collected and gave no indication
BY his manner of the tremendous scene
IN which he had been one of the actors
but short time before He spoke de-
iberately and every one of the hun
ireds of auditors leaned forward eager
TO catch his words. Said he: 'Mr.
President, l have always esteemed it a
high honor and privilege TO be mem
ber of this body. / had never had any
legislative experience when I came here
and my previous service as Governor of
South Carolina for four years had un-
fitted me in a measure to enter this au-
gust assembly with that dignity and .e-
gard--proper regard will say--for it's
traditions and habits and rules that Is
desirable.
II have been here seven years. have
in that time learned to judge men with
little mere catholicty of spirit than /
did when / came here. have found a
great people here, in whose persone in
tegrity and honor and regard FOR their
Obligations as gentlemen / have implicit
confidence shut Ihave seen so much Of
partisanship. I have seen so much If
what I consider slavisf submission TO
party domination that I confess l have
felt somewhat at loss how to Judge
men who in one aspect appeared to De
so high and clean and honorable and in
another appeared more or less despica-
bic | say thisbecause of the fact that
one of the Senators has seen fit to alIuta
to some matters that occurred ~ the
debate this afternoon. l now want to
say that so far as any action of mine
has caused any Senator here or the SEN
ate as body or the people OF this
United States to feel that / have been
derelict. and that / have not shown that
courtesy and proper observance of the
rules OF this body, that ] regret it; |
apologize for 1t. ] was ready to do so
Two minutes after had acted. but I'M
Ter the provocation which was kuown
Of all of You, l could not have acted
otherwise than ] did, and while I apollo
gize to the Senate and am sorry that it
| las occurred, 7 have nothing more tc
say"
Mr.. McLaurin rose at teh conclusion
IF Mr.. Tillman's brief address. He,
too, was calm but it was evident that
he was suppressing his emotion by an
effort. He spoke with greater feeling
than had been manifested by his col
league. particularly when he told the
Senate how sorely he had been tried by
the accusations which had been MADE
against him from time to time. His
statement follows:
"NIr. President, | did not realize that
was in contempt of the Senate. nor |
1o now If my words are read in the re-
cord that I was in contempt of the Sen
ate. but at the same time. as the SEN
| ate has ruled that / am in contempt OF
| this honorable body. l beg leave to
| apologize.
| t desire to say. Mr.. President, that
nave been very sorcly and severely tried
was in attendance or the Committee on
indian Affairs when | received q mes
sage from q friend in the Senate tha;
my presence was needed here
| "The history at sthe votes on the
| Spanish Treaty is known TO all Of yon
/ There have been statements made in
| newspapers apd insinuations that i had
been influenced by improper motives in
| connection with my vote on that treaty
! Knowing in my own soul and knowing
| hat God in Heaven also knows that ii
| was false. when ! was told that Il was
conferred down to me | v-as so outraged
by what ] considered most brutal as
| sault upon my honor as man art
/ especially in view OF the fact hat in tbs
| beginning of the session. after the ac-