Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-02-24
DlSGRACEFUL SCENE
TiIIman Assaults McLaurin on
Floor of Senate.
Fierce Blows Exchanged and Blood Is
Drawn on TiIIman.
Both Senators Declared in Contempt
and Beth Make Apologies.


man and McLaurin, colleagues from
the state of South Carolina, fought a
fierce battle with fists on the floor. of
the Senate, Saturday. Each struck the
other repeatedly, and blood was drawn
on Mr.. Tillman by hard blow deliv-
cred by Mr.. McLaurin. The angry
fighters We're separated with great diff
fculty by other senators and Assistant
Sergeant-at-Arms Layton.
This remarkable encounter occurred
during what had been a rather heated
discussion of the Philippines bill, and
in the presence of an unusually large
number in the galleries, which were
crowded because of the general holt
day After the Senate had discussed
the ,disgraceful occurrence in secret
session. the two senators made apollo
gies for their conduct, but were de-
clared in contempt.
Mr. Tillman'S speech on the Philip
pines bill led up to the fisticuffs. He
had vigorously denounced the measure.
and criticised the methods of the adj
ministration when he spoke of his
friends on the other side of the cham
Der"
Il lie proceedings d1teT Tic uoOfS were
closed covered almost two hours time.
and resulted in the adoption of a reso-
luton in the form of an order, as fol-
lows:
Ordered, that the two senators from
the state of South Carolina be declared
in contempt of the Senate on account
of the alteration and personal encOun-
ter between them this day in open ses-
sion. and that the matter be referred
10 the committee on privileges and
elections, with instructions to report
what action shall be taken by the Sen
ate in regard thereto"
Mr.. Foraker, in offering the resolu-
ton, declared that the occurrence had
been an outrage upon the dignity of
the Senate, of which the Senate should
take cognizance.
Mr.. Hoar indorsed the resolution Of
Mr.. Foraker, but thought the action of
the Senate should be more explicit than
that contemplated by the resolution.
IIc, therefore, moved to amend it by
ordering that the two senators from
South Carolina be declared in contempt
by the Senate for disorderly conduct
and speech in it's presence and both be
taken into custody.
Mr. Blackburn and other senators
said that the two South Carolina SEN
ators were willing to apologize and
thus purge themselves of the contempt.
and in view of this statement Mr.. Hoar
withdrew the portion of his amendment
providing for their commitment.
Mr.. Foraker then accepted Mr.. Hoar's
q, and If embodied
the resolution. Before the vote was
taken several senators spoke. While
there were many kind utterahces re-
garding both senators. every one of the
speakers laid stress upon the gravity
and seriousness of the offence. Mr..
Hanna said that, serious as the en-
counter in the Senate had been, it was
not so grave as the charge Of miscon-
duct against Mr.. McLaurin.
a motion was made by Mr.. Teller
looking to the opening of the doors.
This was voted down, Is to AZ. The SEN
ators generally expressed themselves as
willing to hear the apologies promised.
but insisted that there should first be
action upon the resolution.
Upon the suggestion of Mr.. Bacon
there was division of the two
two branches of the question. The first
vote was taken on the declaration that
the two senators were in contempt,
and it prevailed by unanimous vote
OF 81 to on roll call. The remainder
of the resolution, referring the matter
to the committee on privileges and cleo
tons, was adopted without roll call.
Both the South Carolina senator's re-
manned in their seats during the entire
discussion. Neither made any attempt
to address the Senate.
After the secret session, the Senate,
at SIS o'clock, resumed business in
open session. Nearly every senator in
the chamber was on his feet. AS soon
as order could be restored, Mr.. Black
burn said that during the secret ses-
sion he had made a statement to the
Senate of what the senator from South
Carolina (Mr. Tillman) was prepared
and would be pleased to say to the Sem
ate. He explained that both senators
from South Carolina had been declared
by the Senate to be in contempt.
What he desired now to know, and
he wanted the Chair to rule upon the
point, was whether any statement
could be made to the Senate in open
session by either of the senators while
they were i'm contempt of the Senate.
Finally. by vote of the Senate,
Messrs. Tillman and McLaurin were
allowed to make their statements, and
each apologized for his actions.
In accordance with a longtime GUS