The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-02-26
Senators Tillma1 and McLaurin Has
Fist Fight
ON TIE FLOOR OF TEE SENATE.
Selling His Vote for Patron
age Which McLaurin Said
Was q Malicious Lie.

tween Senators McLaurin and Tillman
on last Saturday. In the course Of a
speech on the Philippine question Sen
ator Tillman became involved in a
lively colloQuy with Senator SpoOner.
of Wisconsin. regarding the ratitica
tion OF the Paris treaty, Mr.. Tillman
referred to Mr.. SpooneT'S comments
il his speech yesterday upon the part
taken by VIM J. Bryan in securing
the ratification Of the treaty. He
agreed with the Wisconsin senator
that the influence Of Mr.. Bryan was
potent, but insisted that even his in
huence was not sufficient to induce the
senate to ratify the treaty. After he
had done all that it was possible for
him to DO, Mr.. Tillman asserted, the
Republicans yet lacked votes enough
to secure ratification.
You know" he shouted, shaking
his finger at the Republican side.
how those votes necessary were Sc
cured"
How were they secured?" de-
mauded Mr. Spooner.
Il know, if the senator does not,
replied Mr.. .Tillman." Il have re-
ceived information in confidence from
that side OF the chamber. l know from
that that improper influences were
used in getting those votes
Name the man." insisted Mr..
Spooner, upon whom those influences
were brought to bear. 1t is due the
senator and due the country that he
name him. 4 man who impeaches
another in confidence is 4 coward. If
the senator knows Of any man who has
been improperly influenced he should
name him >
II know" asserted Mr.. Tillman.
that the patronage--the federal pat
age-of a State has been parceled out
to senator since the ratification Of
that treaty"
What State?" demanded Mr..
Spooner.
South Carolina" shouted Mr.. Till
man.
Then" said Mr.. Spooner. 4 leave
you to fight the matter out with your
colleague
well" retorted Mr.. Tillman, Il
never shirk the responsibility for a
statement I make. l know that Nc
Laurin voted for the treaty: l know
that improper influences were brought
to bear: know what believe.
You simply believe" retorted Mr..
Spooner, what you do not know"
This ended the incident for the
time, but the feeling engendered mani
tested itself later in thrilling and
sensational scene.
Soon after Mr.. Tillman concluded
his remarks, Mr.. McLaurin, who had
just entered the chamber, arose and
addressed the Senate.
Mr.. President" he began, Il rise
to question Of personal privilege" "
He had voiced less than dozen words.
yet the excitement by this time had
become intense. All seemed to realize
that portentous event was about to
happen. During my absence" con-
tinued Mr.. McLaurin, "a few
moments ago from the senate cham
Der, in attendance upon the committee
on Indian affairs, the senator who
has just taken his seat said that i'm
proper influence had been used in
changing the vote of somebody on
that treaty, and then went on later
and said that it applied to the senator
from South Carolina who had been
given the patronage in that State. l
think l got the sense of the ccntro-
versy. l desire to state, Mr.. PreSi-
dent--I would not use as strong Ian
guage as l intend had l not soon af-
ter the senate met replied to those in
situations and saiI that they. were un-
true. Il now say" continued Mr..
McLaurin. with distinct emphasis
upon every word, and half turning to-
ward his colleague, Mr.. Tillman, who
sat in the same row only three seats
away, that the statement is a will
full, malicious and deliberate lie"
Mr.. McLaurin got no further with
his statement.
Mr.. Tillman. who was occupying
his regular seat on the main aisle.
sprang with tiger like ferocity at his
colleague. Mr.. Teller of Colorado,
who was sitting at his desk between
the two South Carolina senators, was
swept aside without ceremony. In
deed. the Infatuated Tillman climbed
over MIN in his effort to reach Nc
Laurin Without the slightest hesita-
tion McLaurin Sprang to meet the at
tack half way. Tillman aimed
wild blow at his colleague with his
right fist. 1t landed upon McLaurin's
forehead. just above the left eye, al
though its force was partially spent
upon McLaurin'S arm, which he raised
in an effort to parry the blow.
Instantly McLaurin's right arm
shot out, the blow landing upon Till
mans face. apparently upon the nose.
Again Tillman struck out, this time
with his left hand. The blow did not
land upon NcLaurin. Then followed
wild scrimmage, both senators
clutch!ng at each other madly.
Mr.. Foraker moved that the Senate
90 into executive session. Without
comment. every senator laboring yet
under the emotion which all endeav-
ored to conceal, the motion was agreed
TO and at 2.52 the doors were
closed. 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 ordor. as follows:
''Ordered. that the two senator's
from the State Of South Carolina be
declared in contempt Of the senate on
account Of the alteration and person
al encounter between them this DAY III