Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-02-28
TILLMAN RESENTS "LIE'
ENGAGED IN FIST FIGHT WITH
M'LAURIN IN SENATE.
McLaurin Draws Blood From Till.
mans Nose and Boil, Senators
Ar naoI.rod ~ ro,+e1,n+


mans Nose and Boil, Senators
Are Declared in Contempt.
Washington, Feb. 24.-Washington s
birthday was signalized in the United
States senate by fist fight. The day
set apart by the nation to afford the
American people opportunity to pay
| fitting tribute to the memory of the
| first president was the occasion of one
of the most sensational scenes ever
enacted in the senate chamber.
| The two senators from South Caro-
! lima were the active participants in
| the ARRAY. Mr.. Tillman in the course
! of a speech upon the Philippine tariff
bill made serious reflections upon the
honor of his colleague, Mr.. McLaurin.
In brief, he charged that his one
Laurin's) vote in support of the ratif-
cation of the treaty of Paris had been
cast through the exercise of improper
influences. His statement was devel-
cped in colloquy between himself
and Mr.. Spooner of Wisconsin. Mr..
TilIman at first declined to mention
names, but when the Wisconsin sena-
tor reminded him that he owed it to
himself, to the senate and to the coun-
try to name the man, Mr.. Tillman
indicated that he referred to his col.
league from South Carolina. Little
imagining that his words were likely
to be prophetic, Mr.. Spooner remarked
sententiouSly:
Il will leave the senator to fight
that out with his colleague
Mr.. McLaurin- was not in the cham
Der at the time, being engaged in COM
mittee work, but he was sent for and
appeared just as Mr.. Tillman con-
Guided his speech.
Pale as a sheet, Mr.. McLaurin arose
to address the senate, speaking to a
question of personal privilege. He
reviewed Mr.. 1Tillman's charges brief
ly, and then denounced the statement
made by his colleague as "willful
malicious and deliberate lie.'' .-
Scarcely had the portentious words
fallen from his lips when Mr.. Till
man, sitting a few seats from him,
with Mr. Teller of Colorado between
them, sprang at him. Mr.. McLaurin,
who had half turned toward Mr.. Till
man. met him half way, and in an in
slant the two senators, having swept
Mr.. Teller aside, were engaged in
rough and tumble fight. Mr.. McLau-
rim received heavy blow on the fore
head. while Mr.. 1illman got bad
punch on the nose, which brought
blood.
Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Layton
sprang over desks to reach and sep
arate the combatants and himself re-
ceived several blows. He got between
them finally, and by main strength
wrenched them apart. Senators War
rem of Wyoming and Scott of West
Virginia, two of the most powerful
men in the senate, leaped to his as
sistance and pinioned the arms of the
belligerent senators and forced them
into their seats. ......
Intense excitement prevailed in the
senate and 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 helpless and pale to the lips.
Finally order was restored partially
and in the midst of intense excite
ment the senate went into secret leg
is?atiVe session.
For two hours the senate discussed
the event behind closed doors. When
the doors were opened it was made
known that both the South Carolina
senators, by unanimous vote, had been
declared to be in contempt of the SEN
ate. They were permitted, by vote
of the senate, to make apologies to
the senate. The statements were lis
tened to by both the senators and the
people in the galleries with breath
Ices isatecost.
Senator Tillman left the capitol
when adjournment was taken for re-
cess and did not return for the night
session. Senator McLaurin was in
the chamber about s o'clock, but left
early. Neither senator, when seen at
his home. would make a statement.