The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-02-23
BLOOD ON THE
SENATE FLOOR
Continued from Page 1.

Continued from Page l.
though its force was partially spent
upon McLaurin's arm, which he had
raised in an effort to parry the blow.
. Instantly McLadrin's right arm shot
out. the blow landing upon Tillmans
face. apparently upon the nose. Again
Tillman struck out franticaily this
time with his left hand. The blow did
not land upon McLaurin Then fol-
lowed wild scrimmage, both senators
clutching at each other madIy
Senators Warren and Scott, both of
whom are powerful men. rushed to-
ward the combatants to separate them
Assistant Sergeant at Arms Layton
sprang over desks III his effort to reach
the belligerent senators.
Just as he seized McLaurin Tillman
aimed a left-handed blow at his col
league. which struck Mr. Layton in the
face. Fortunately the blow was glanc-
ing and did no special harm. Mr.. Lay
ton tore them apart. Both senator's
were still striking wildly at each other.
some of the blows landing upon Mr.
Layton.
Hold Both Belligerents.
An instant later the angry senators
were pinioned in the arms of Senators
Warren and Scott. They were dragged
further apart. although they still made
Intellectual efforts 20 set at each other
Finally they were forced into their
seats.
McLaurin. although very pale,
seemed to be the calmer of the two
Mr.. Tillman was as white as a sheet
As he sat down in his seat he drew his
handkerchief from his pocket and
wiped blood from his face. that seem
ingly was flowing slightly from the
nose. Until that time it had been sup
posed that no blood had been drawn in
the encounter.
During the fight senator's all over the
chamber were on their feet. Not word
however. was spoken The senate, new
er in its history, had received such d
shock.
The president pro tenn, Mr.. Frye,
was the first to regain cOmpOsure. In
calm and unimpassioned tones he di-
Tected that the senate be in order. He
raped sharply two or three times with
his gavel and in few minutes a sem
blance of order was obtained. although
senators. having by this time partly
recovered from the shock, moved hur-
riedly about the chamber Mr.. CALM
ger was first to address the chair.
McLaurin Not Allowed to Talk.
''Mr. President" said he, Il ask that
the doors be closed
Again the president pro tenn. re-
quested the senate to be in order and
that senators resume their seats.
1t was reserved for Mr.. Pritchard of
North Carolina, in a measure, to re-
lieve the strain under which all were
labOring He desired to address the
senate on the pending Philippine BILL
and. calling for the attention of the
chair, he said:
IF the senator from South Carolina
(Mr. McLaurin) has concluded
He was interrupted by Mr.. McLau-
rim. who said. very calmly:
Il will now proceed with my re-
marks. which were so unceremOniOus-
ly interrupted.
Il call the senator from South Caro-
lima to order" interrupted Mr. Teller.
Which one of the senator's" in
qUired Mr. McLaurin, with some as
perity.
This one" said Mr. Teller. indicat-
ing Mr.. McLaurin, and the other one,
too. for that matter"
Mr. President" interjected Mr.. For
aker, L join in that Surely he con-
tinued with great feeling, his face pale
with excitement there is some way
to protect the dignity OF this body"
Certainly" said Mr.. Burrows. who
had been endeavoring vainly TO get the
eye of the chair, .'and the senate can
not let this thing pass"
Mr.. President again said Mr. Gal
linger. u ask that the doors might be
closed"
Mr.. President" said Mr. Foraker.
who had moved into the main aisle. Il
move that the senate go into executive
session.
Without comment, every senator,
still laboring utler the emotion which
all endeavoTed to conceal the motion
was agreed to and at 2:52 the doors
were closed.
In executive session the senate at
orce took up The startling encounter,
and a resolution was offered referring
the matter 10 the committee on privi-
leges and elections, to report as to
what method the senate should pursue.
Meanwhile both Tillman and McLaurin
had been committed TO the custody Of
the ergeant-at-arms TO prevent any
hostile meeting between them.
The proceedings after the doors were
closed covered almost two hours of
/ time. and resulted in the adoption of
a resolution in the form of an order.
as follows:
Ordered, that the two senator's
/ from the state of South Carolina
be declared in contempt OF the SEN
ate on account of the alteration
/ and personal encounter between
I them this day in open session. and
that the matter be referred 10 thu
committee on privileges and cleo
I tiOns. with Instructions 10 report
/ what action shall be taken by the
! senate in regard thereto
! The discussion which occurred in the
! secret session was based largely upon
/ the foregoing resolution. the first Sug-
! gestiOn of which was made by AR. For
( aker. In presenting the resolution inn
mediately after the doors Of the cham-
! Der were closed. Mr.. Foraker took &C
/ casion to remark that the occurrence
/ had been an outrage upon the dignity
! Of the senate, of which the senate
/ should take cOgnizance.
/ Mr.. HOar endorsed the resolution of
/ Mr.. Foraker, but said he thought the
I action of the senate should be more ax-
( plicit than contemplated by rhe reso-
luton. He therefore moved TO araeT.l
i it by ordering thar the two senators
from South Caralina be declared in
/ contempt by the senate for liso-deTiv