Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-03-05
SENATORIAL CENsURE.

SENATORIAL CENSURE.
Punishment Melted Out to Tillman
and McLaurin.
The United States senate has dispos-
ed of the McLaurin-T Tillman incident
by the administration Of a severe CEN
sure to the two South Carolina sena-
tors. This action was taken last Fri
day. Following is the Associated Press
story of the proceedings:
When the senate was called to order
today a notably large attendance OF
senators was on the floor and the gal
leries were thronged. Both Senators
McLaurin and Tillman, Of South Caro-
lima, were in their seats. Great inter-
est was manifested by senators on the
floor and by spectators in the galleries
in the reading Of the journal which
contained the protest of Mr.. Tillman
against not being permitted to vote
while under the ban Of the senate's or
der Of contempt.
Mr.. Burrows, Of Michigan, chairman
Of the committee on privileges and
elections, presented the following res
olution which had been formulated by
that committee:
"That it is the judgment Of the SEN
ate that the senators from South Car
olina, Benjamin r. Tillman and John
L. McLaurin, for disorderly behavior
and fragrant violation Of the rules Of
the senate during the open session Of
the senate on the 22d day Of February,
instant, deserve the censure Of the
senate and they are hereby censured for
their breach Of the privileges and dig
nifty Of this body; and from and after
the adoption Of this resolution the or
der adjudging them in contempt Of
the senate shall be no longer of force
and effect"
| Mr.. Burrows presented. the request
of the majority Of the committee which
was read.
The reported recited the history of
the alteration in the senate and quoted
the language then used by the Offend
ers. All agreed to this statement.
The report then continued as fol-
lows:
1.-THE majority Of the committee are
of opinion that the legal effect Of ad-
judging these senators in contempt Of
the senate was to suspend their func-
tions as senators and that such punish
ment for disorderly behavior is clear
ly within the power of the senate, but
the conclusion they have reached
makes it unnecessary to discuss this
question. The offenses committed by
the two senators were not, in the opin-
ion of majority Of the committee, Of
equal gravity.
"Mr. McLaurin did not commence
the encounter but only stood in his
place at his desk, where he was speak
ing and resisted the attack that was
made upon him. In other words his Of
fense was confined to the use Of unpar-
liamentary language, for which he had
unusual provocation. Nevertheless, his
offense was a violation of the rules of
the senate Of so serious a character
that in the opinion of the committee it
should be condemned.
"In the case of Mr.. Tillman, the
record shows that the alteration was
commenced by the charge he made
against Mr.. McLaurin. Such a charge
is inexcusable, except in connection
with resolution to investigate. Mr..
Tillman not only made the charge
without any avowal Of purpose to in
vestigate but also disclaiming knowl-
edge of evidence to establish the Of
fense and this he said after the charge
had been specifically and unqualifiedly
denied by Mr.. McLaurin.
"Such charge, under any circum-
! stances would be resented by any man
, worthy to be senator; but, made as
J it was in this instance, it's offensive
ness was greatly intensified. This fea-
. ture of his offense, coupled with the
fact that he also commenced the en-
counter by quitting his seat some dis
, tance away from McLaurin, and, rush.
the face, makes the cause one of such
, exceptional misbehavior that a ma
: jority of the committee are of the opin-
!, ion that his offense was of such great
!, er gravity than that of Mr.. McLaurin.
!; THE penalty of a censure by the
: senate In the nature of things must
vary in actual severity in proportion to
the public sense of the gravity of the
offense of which the offender has been
: adjudged guilty. Therefore, notwith-
standing the fact that in the opinion
of majority of the committee there is
!. difference in the gravity of the Of
tense under consideration your COM
!, mittee are of the opinion that public
good and the dignity Of the senate will
De alike best promoted and protected,
so far as this particular case is con-
cerned, by imposing upon each senator
) by formal vote the censure of the SEN
ate for the offense by him committed
and therefore, recommend the adoption
of the resolution"
At the conclusion of the reading of
the majority report Mr.. Bailey, of Tex
as, offered the following statement as
representing the views of himself and
four other senators:
I'VE dissent from so much of the re-
port Of the committee as asserts the
power of the senate to suspend a SEN
ator and thus deprive a state of it's