Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-02-26
Senatorial Fistfcuff.

<ASSOSA
ated Press account Of the fight that oc-
Cured on the floor Of the senate be-
tween Senators Tillman and McLaurin
last Saturday afternoon, and for the
benefit of those Of our readers who may
not have information upon which to
base a judgment, we will say that this
story is probably as correct as is to be
expected Of the most disinterested hu-
man testimony.
1t is difficult to read this story with
out being impressed with the fact that
South Carolina has suffered stinging
disgrace in the eyes Of the country as
we'll as in the eyes of her own citizens,
and by a very natural impulse the in
dividual Of average judicial mind Is
constrained to agree with the PROPOSE
ton that both senators should be sum-
marily expelled from the high and dig
nified tribunal that has been outraged
by their extraordinary conduct. But
we'll established principles Of fairness
and justice demand that we should not
be too hasty in our judgment. In every
alteration, personal or otherwise, while
both sides are more or less blamable,
one is always more blamable than the
other, and in this case there is no ex-
ception.
That this trouble could have easily
been avoided is quite clear. Senator
Tillman had already made his charges
by inuendo on the floor Of the senate,
and Senator McLaurin had answered
them fully and openly on the same
spot. But when Senator Tillman re-
peated his charges explicitly, calling
Senator McLaurin by name. there
seems to have been nothing for Senator
McLaurin to do but to enter an en-
phatic and explicit denial. What was
proper for Senator Tillman to do under
the circumstances, in reply to the d.
rect lie, is a matter Of opinion. There
Is no doubt that the lie calls for a
blow; but in view Of the fact that there
could have been no probability Of seri-
Gus bodily harm, in the crowded senate,
1t would seem that it might have been
Just as we'll for Senator Tillman to have
waited until after adjournment, when
there could have at least been bet
ter exhibition Of physical courage, with
less humiliation to the state.
If it is admitted that Senator McLau-
rim was warranted in characterizing
Senator Tillman's unsupported charge
as a wilful, malicious and deliberate lie,
then the senator is certainly not open
to criticism for the manner in which he
met Senator Tillman's assault. He
merely gave the senior senator prac-
tical confirmation of what he had told
him on more than one previous occa-
sion, that he was ready to meet him at
any time, in any place and in any way"
But notwithstanding the outraged
senate and the public disgrace, this
fight is a matter Of only secondary i'm
portance. The real issue is the truth
of Senator Tillman's charge against
Senator McLaurin. We have no idea
that Tillman himself believes there Is
any truth in the charge. We have al
ways been inclined to look upon it as
only of piece with the similar un-
founded charges that Tillman has been
wont to make against numerous polit-
ical opponents in South Carolina-a
species of slime to thicken the preju-
dices of the politically blind. Such tao
tics should not be allowed to prevail
in the United States senate, however,
and if that body is seriously concerned
about it's traditional dignity, let it at
once go down to the root of this mat
ter and see who is the real culprit. If
a thorough, honest and impartial in
vestigation shall develop that McLau-
rims treaty vote was improperly influ
enced, then let McLaurin be expelled
from the senate. If. on the other hand,
it shall develop that Tillman is the de-
wilful and malicious liar that
McLaurin charges, let him be expelled.
The integrity of the United States sem
ate cannot suffer from such settle
ment, nor can the political well-being
of the state of South Carolina.