The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-01
TWO REPORTS ARE MADE
McComas, Beveridge, Pritchard Hold
Out For Suspension.
THE DEMOCRATS MAKE A STATEMENT
Agree to Resolution Of Censure, Holding the
Senate Cannot Deprive State Of Re-
presentation, Deem Offenses
of Equal Gravity.
tBy the Associated Press.)

Washington, Feb. 2S.-Senators McLau-
rim and Tillman, of South Carolina, were
today severely censured by the United
States Senate. The administration of the
sonal encounter between the two Senators
on the floor of the Senate last Saturday
during the consideration of the Philip
pine Tariff Bill The adoption Of tho
resolution of censure probably closes tho
incident, so far as official action of the
Senate is concerned
Immediately after the Senate convened
today Mr. Burrows. chairman of tho Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections to
which the McLaurin- Tillman controversy
committee. Accompanying the resolution
of censure framed by majority of tho
committee. A ccompanying the resolution
was report narrating the events which
led up to the fight between the two Sen
ators and setting out the conclusions of
the majority.
A brief statement was presented bv
Senator'S Bailey, Blackburn, Pettus, M. ].
roster and Dubois, Democratic members
OF the committee, dissenting from some
OF the conclusions of the majority. They
agreed, however, to the resolution Of
fercd.
minority report was presented bv
senators McComas Beveridge and Pritch
ard' Republicans, who maintained that
the adoption OF resolution of censure
was not sufficient punishment
Practically there was no debate on tho
resolution, although Mr.. Gallinger AMI
MI. Platt tConn), made it evident in
prlef statements that the resolution was
not quite satisfactory to them. The reso.
iutlon was adopted by vote of "a to ~
When Mr.. Tilman's name was called
he added new sensation to the proceed
ln2s by rising and saying with iu-con
cealed emotion: M
Among gentlemen an apology for an
onense committed under heat of blood is
usually considered sufficient"
AT the request of Mr.. Burrows the
statement of Mr.. Tillman was read by
the clerk. Instantly the South Carolina
senator disclaimed any intention of being
oHenslVe to the Senate and said that if
they were so considered he would with
draw them. The chair (Mr Frye) said
that by unanimous consent they might
be withdrawn but Mr.. Dietrich (Neb.,
objected The incident was closed with
out further comment
When the Senate was called to order
a notably large attendance of Senator's
was on the floor and the galleries were
thronged. Both Senator's McLaurin and
Tillman. of South Carolina. were in their
seats. Great interest 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 SEN
ate S order of contempt
RESOLUTION OF CENSURE.
Mr. Burrows tMich.). Chairman of the
Committee on Privileges and Elections
presented the following resolution which
had been formulated by that commit
tee
That it is the judgment of the Senate
that the Senator's from South Carolna.
Benz. r. TiIlman and John L. McI.aurip
for disorderly behavior and fragrant vio-
lation of the rules of the Senate during
the open session of the Senate on The
22nd day of February, deserve the censuro
OF the Senate and they are hereby so
censured fer their breach of the privi- |
leges and dignity of this body, and from
and after the adoption of this resolution
the order adjudging them in contempt of
the Senate shall be no longer in force
and affect"
Mr. Burrows presented the repor. of
the majority of the committee which was
read
The report cited the history of the al |
tercation in the Senate and quoted the
language then used by the offenders. Ali
agreed to this statement
The report then continued as follows:
That the conduct of the two Sena- |
tors was an infringement of the privileges
OF the Senate. violation of its rules and |
derogatory to its high character. tend
ing to bring the body itself into public |
contempt. cannot be questioned or denied |
indeed, the Senate by a unanimous vote |
mas already placed on record its con- |
demration of the Senators by declaring |
both guilty of contempt The majority |
oil the committee are of the opinion that |
the regal effect of adjudging these Sena- |
TORS In contempt of the Senate was to |
suspend their functions as Senator's AMI /
that such punishment for dsorderly be- |
navlor is clearly within the power of the |
Senate but the conclusion they have
reached makes 1t unnecessary to discuss |
this question. The offenses committed !
by the two Senator'S were not in the