Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-02-27
ment is wilful, malicious. deliber-

McLaurin got no further with his
statement Tillman, who was occu-
plying his regular seat on the main
isle. sprang with tiger-like ferocity
at his colleague.
Senator Teller of Colorado, who was
sitting at the desk between the two
South Carolina senator's, was swept
aside without ceremony. Indeed. the
Infatuated Tillman climbed over him
in his effort to reach McLaurin.
Without the slightest hesitation Nc
Laurin sprang to meet the attack half
way. Tillman aimed a wild blow at
his colleague with his right fist. II
landed upon McLaurin's forehead lust
above hi- left eye. although its force
was partially spent upon McLaurin's
arms, which he raised in an effort to
parry the blow
Instantly McLaurin's right arm shot
out blow, landing upon Tillman's
face, apparently upon the nose. Again
T1llman struck frantically, this time
with his left hand The blow did not
land upon McLaurin. Then followed
wild scrimmage, both senator's
elutching at each other madly.
Senators Warren and Scott, both Of
whom are powerful men. rushed to-
them. Assistant Sergeant at Arms
ward the combatants to separate
Layton sprang over the desks in his
efforts to reach the belligerent sena-
tors. just as he seized McLaurin.
Tlllman aimed left-handed blow at
mis- colleague which struck Layton In
the face. Fortunately the blow was
glancing and did no special harm.
Layton tore them apart. Both sena-
tors We're still strInlng wildly at each
other, some of the blows landing M
on Layton.
An instant later the angry sena-
tors were pinioned in the arms of
Senator's Scott and Warren. They
We're dragged further apart although
they still made Intellectual efforts TO
get at each other. Finally they were
forced into their seats. Senator Nc
Laurin, although pale, seemed to be
the calmer of the two. Senator Till
man was as white az sheet. AS he
sat down he drew a handkerchief and
wiped from his face blood that seem
ingly flowed from his nose During
the fight the senators all over the
chamber were on their feet Not a
word, however, was spoken. me
senate never in its history had re-
ceived such shock. President Pro
Tenn. Frye was the first to regain com
posture and directed the senate to be
in order. Senator Pritchard of North
Carolina decided TO address the sen.
ate on the pending Philippine bin
and, calling for the attention of the
chair, said.
If the senator from South Carolina
(McLaurin) has concluded"
He was interrupted by McLaurin
who said calmly: Il will now pro.
coed with my remarks which were So
unceremoniously interrupted"
Il call the senator from South Caro-
lima to order" interrupted Senator
Teller.
Which one of the senators ?v in
quired McLaurin.
This one" said Teller indicating
McLaurin, "and the other one too. Tor
that natter
On motion of Senator Foraker, at
1852 the doors were closed and the
senate went into executive session.
The proceedings after the doors were
closed covered almost two hours time
and resulted in the adoption of reso-
luton in the form of an order as ioi-
lows:
Ordered that the two senators
from the state of South Carolina be
declared in contempt of the senate on
account of the personal encounter be-
tween them this day in open session,
that the matter be referred to the
committee on privileges and elections
with instructions to report what ac-
ton be taken by the senate in regard
thereto
After considerable discussion as to
the right of the South
Carolina senators to address
the senate while under the con-
tempt order Senator blackburn
moved that they be given the floor
10 make any statement in their own
way to the senate in recent session
to purge themselves of contempt"
The motion carried and Senator
Tillman rose to address the senate.
He was calm and spoke deliberately.
He said in part: $50 far as any ac-
ton of mine caused any senator here
or the senate as a body or the people
of the United States to feel that |
have been derehct and that | have
not shown proper observance of the
rules of this body. / regret it. /
apologize for it. / was ready to do
that two minutes after | acted, but
under the provocation which is known
to all of you I could not have acted
otherwise than / did. While apollo
gize to the senate and am sorry it
occurred, l have nothing more TO
say"
Senator McLaurin spoke with
greater feeling than had been mani
Tested by his colleague. He told the
senate how sorely he had been tried
by the accusations which had been