The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-02-25
nIEMBERS OF REPUBLICAN MAJOR
Rim AFTER LONG DEBATE
SEEMS GRAVE TO DEMOCRATS
comes Precedent, Any Rules to
Deny States Representation
May Easily Follow.
sNUB BY ROOSEVELT RESULTS
FROM THE GLOBE BUREAU,
Washington, ID. c.


WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb PA
question of greatest moment was raised
IN the senate this afternoon, when the
majority by plain resolutions supported
by only one more than half a vote Of
the senate deprived two members of the
Democratic majority Of their right to
vote, contrary to provisions of the con-
sututiOn Of the United States, guaran-
teelng TO each state equal franchise IN
the upper branch Of congress until Two
thirds majority shall have expelled such
representative of state.
Senators Tillman and McLaurin, Of
South Carolina, were refused the priv
nege Of voting on the Philippine bill.
The fact that they had been adjudged il
contempt by reason Of Saturdays episode
was the pretext. The entire Democratic
minority registered protest in the ron
call which was forced, and Mason, Of
Illinois, voted with the minority.
In the evening during the visit OF
Prince Henry discussion of this question
Of high privilege went forward, and Sen
ator Bailey, Of Texas, made a most earn
est and forceful appeal arguing that vlo-
latlon of states constitutional rights
was proposed.
No effort was made to justify the con
duct Of the senators from South Car
DINA. Neither did any senator deny the
right Of the senate to discipline its mem
bGIS+ IL lie point IldO6 WAS lIldL Il9 COIl-
stitution guarantees the right of each
state to be represented and of its repre-
sentative to vote, and that this right can
not be taken away except by expulsion of
a member, which requires tWO-thirds
vote.
In the present instance the senators are
adjudged guilty of contempt, the speaker
caused their names to be taken from the
roll cali, and the members were today
refused the right to speak or to vote, all
this being done by plain majority vote.
In the meantime the committee appoint
ed to hear their cases has had no meet
ings; the two senators have had no trial,
and it is within the power of the ma
jority to keep these members indefinitely
in suspense, at once depriving the state
Of right to be represented by these TWO
senators, or by any others who might
be chosen if these should be expelled.
The question is regarded by Democrats
in both branches of congress as Of ut
most importance, as setting a dangerous
precedent and opening the way for the
majority to at any time gag members Of
the minority or deprive them of their
vote
President Bars TfIIman.
The President today withdrew his in
vitation extended to Senator Tillman, Of
South Carolina, to attend the dinner to
be given tonight in honor of Prince Hen
~ of Prussia at the White house. SEN
ator Martin, Of Virginia, a member OF
the committee on naval affairs, accepted
an invitation in Mr.. Tillman's place. The
invitation was extended originally to MI.
Tillman, owing to the fact that he is the
ranking minority member of the naval
affairs committee.
Mr.. TIlman, through Senator Cockrel,
= of Missouri, a friend. was requested to
decline the invitation, but refused
Senator Frye, president pro ten of the
senate, gave direction to the clerks Of
the senate today that the names Of SEN
ators Tillman, and McLaurin, Of South
Carolina, must not be called on roll calls
until further notice. The senators are
thus suspended from all senatorial func-
tions.
An echo of the sensational fight OF Sat
urday was heard at the conclusion of
routine business.
1IcLaurin Asks investigation.
Mr.. Pritchard. Republican. of North
Carolina, submitted the following letter.
which was read a the clerks desk:
Washington, Feb. "a 1902-The Hon
J. c. Pritchard, United States Senator
Washington-My Dear Senator: l was
prevented, as you know, from Offering
the resolution which 1 wrote at my desk
Saturday demanding an investigation of
the charges made by my colleagues. by
being adjudged in contempt of the senate
I am now debarred the privilege, and re-
quest you to introduce the resolution for
the reason that, if the charges are true
l am unit to remain member Of the
senate, and If they are untrue the man
who made them is unfit to remain a
member of this honorable body In apIy
event, | feel that / am entitled to q vim
dication by the same body that makes in
vesGgauon in the proceedings for con-
Yours truly,
John Lowndes AIcLaurin''
Mr.. Pritchard then offered the follow
ing resolution:
Whereas. the senior senator from the
state of South Carolina charged in a
speech on the floor Of the senate that the
junior senator from the same state had
been improperly influenced in casting his
vote for the ratification of the treaty of
peace between the United States and
Spain; and
-"Whereas, The, said charge was en-
phatcally denied by the junior senator.
Resolved, That the committee on priv
ueges and elections be directed to inveS-
tgate and report as to the truth of the
persons and papers"
On motion of Mr. Hale the resolution
was referred to the committee on privi-
leges and elections.
TiIIman's Protest Is Unheeded.
The question Of refusing Senator's Till
man and McLaurin a chance to vote first
came up when Mr.. Aldrich made the
point during the debate that as the SEN
ate was proceeding under an unanimous
agreement to vote on the Philippine bif.
NJ discussion was in order on anv sub
Ject- He asked that this. point be sub
nitted to the senate, which was dona
with the result that the discussion was
declared out of order by vote of AZ to
%. On this question Senator Wellington
voted with the Republicans to snetai~
the point Of order while Senator Tones
of Nevada, and Senator Mason voted
with the Democrats.
MIR. Turner then sought to secure
recognition in order to have spread on
the records a protest of Mr.. Tinman.
but the privilege was denied at tie time
and the senate proceeded to the consider
alton Of amendments to the Philippine
bill
Mr. Turner after the vote on the Phil
hppine bill, renewed his request that the
protest Of Mr. Tillman against not be-
ing allowed to vote should be spread
upon the records and be published in the
Congressional P1po-d IL