Evening journal., 1902-02-24
DELIBERATE ACTION
AGAINST TWO SENATOR'S
May be Refused Floor Privileges
for Thirty Days
Their DiSgraceiul BraWI OF Saturda,
Shocks Old Members Of tho
Senate


Washington Feb. PA fist fighty
between two senators on the floor of
the United States senate while thatt
body was in open session markedb
the close of bitter speech on thei
Philippine question by Senator Till
man, of South Carolina, Saturday af-I
ternoon. For nearly three hours theI
South Carolina senator occupied thei
floor, discussing the Philippine situa-i
ton from his picturesque viewpoint.
His remarks were interlarded With
frequent spicy exchanges with othert
senators, in the course of one of which
he made some insinuations that ,
senator had been influenced by im-i
proper considerations in his vote on
the treaty of Paris.
His statement was developed in al
colloquy between him and Mr.. Spoon-l
er, of Wisconsin. Mr.. Tillman at first
declined to mention names, but wheni
the Wisconsin senator reminded him
that he owed it to himself, to thei
senate and to the country, to name
the man." Mr.. Tillman indicated that
he referred to his colleague from South
Carolina.
Little imagining that his words were
likely to be prophetic, Mr.. Spooner re-
marked sententiously: Il will leave
the senator to fight that out with his
colleague" q
Mr. McTaurin was not in the cham
ber at the time, being engaged in
committee work. but he was sent for,
and appeared just as Mr. Tillman
concluded his speech Pale as ashes,
Mr. McLaurin rose to address the
senate, speaking to a question of privi-
lege. He reviewed Mr. Tillman's
charges briefly, and then denounced
the statement made by his colleague
as a 'wilful. malicious and deliberate
lie."
Scarcely had the portentious words
fallen from his lips when Mr.. Tillman.
sitting a few seats from him, with
Mr.. Teller, of Colorado. between them,
sprang at them. Mr.. McLaurin. who
had half turned toward Mr.. Tillman,
met him half way. and in an instant
the two senators. having swept Mr..
Teller aside, were engaged in a rough
and tumble fist fight Mr.. McLaurin
received a heavy blow on the fore
head, while Mr.. Tillman got a bad
punch on the nose, which brought
blood. Assistant Sergeant-at-arms
Layton sprang over desks to reach and
separate the combatants and himself
received several blows. He got be-
tween them finally and by main
strength wrenched them apart.
Senators Warren, of Wyoming, and
Scott, of West Virginia, two of the
most powerful men in the senate,
leaped to his assistance, and pinioning
the arms of the belligerent senators,
forced them into their seats.
Intense excitement prevailed in the
senate and the galleries. which were
thronged with people who had been
attracted by the spirited debate.
| Everybody was on his feet. Not a
word, however, was spoken. Senators
stood about the chamber, for the mo-
ment quite helpless and pale to the
/ lips. Finally order was restored par
TALLY, and in the midst of intense ex-
citement the senate went into execu-
tive session. For two hours the sen
ate discussed the event behind closed
doors. When the doors were reopened
It was made known that both Of the
South Carolina senators by unanimous
vote had been declared to be in con.
tempt of the senate They were per
mitted by vote of the senate to make
apologies to the senate. The state
ments were listened to by both the
senators and the people in the CALLER
les with breathless interest.
Senator Tillman left the capital
when adjournment was taken for re
cess, and did not return for the night
session. Senator McLaurin was In
the chamber about o'clock, but left
early. Neither senator, when seen al
his home. would make statement
There have been a number of con
ferences among senators as to what
should be done to preserve the digni
ty of the senate and to manifest its
sentiment with reference to the two
senators who violated it's traditions
While no plan of procedure has beer
agreed upon it is learned that there
will be very deliberate action, ant
it is said to be more than likely thai
1t will be no less than thirty days be
, fore the South Carolina senators are
restored to their full powers as sena
p tors. this deliberatiOn on their case
b being in the nature of a punishment
, since they will not be allowed to ad
dress the senate or vote until no longe
i IN contempt of the senate.