The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-03-04
To ADMINISTER GENSURE
TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA SENATORS
FOR THEIR MISCONDUCT.
DECISION OF SUB-COMMIT TEE
To Recommend Equal Censure and
to Abandon Idea of ASTON.
Democrats Give Notice of Prolong-
ed Debate Against Suspension or
UneauaI IRE has Much
Weight-PropOsitiOn for Apologies
Also Abandoned-Some Republican
Senators Insist on Suspension or
Severe Rebuke to TilIman.

nat Insist on Suspension or
Severe Rebuke to TiIIman.
Washington. February 21.-The sub
m OF the senate committee on
privileges and elections which was
appointed yesterday to formulate a
proposition for the proper punishment
South Carolina, for their offence to the
senate of last Saturday, today prac-
tically concluded to recommend that
the two senators be severely censured
for their onduc and to limit the yum
ishment 10 censure-
The subcommittee consists of Sena-
tors Burrows. Hoar and Foraker (re-
puhlicans) and Senators Pettus and
Bailey (democrats.) All were present
at the early part of the meeting, but
senator Bailey was compelled by in
disposition to leave the conference be-
fore its close
Today's meeting was a very har-
monious one and little difference Of
opinion developed. The republican
members of the subcommittee did not
themselves contend for a resolution
suIIc ending the tUC senator's, but rep
resented that there were some repuh.
lican members OF the full committee
who adhere to the opinion that
through Suspension only can adequate
punishment be meted out to the Of
Tending members.
Senator BeVeridge is understood TO
be among the most strenuous advo
Gates of this form of proceeding and
Senator McComas is inclined to agree
with HIM. Som doubt is expressed as
to whether they will unite in a report
limiting the punishment to censure
On the other hand, some of the
democrat memoirs made 1t very plain
that they not only would not agree in
committee to the reporting of a reso-
lutin of suspension, but that when
such a resolution should be presented
to the nate by a majority of the
committee they would resist it's adop-
ton by the n to the extent of in
sisting upon prolonged debate.
The republican members Of the COM
mittee and also many republican sena-
tors who ere not members of the COM
mittee have slven very serious atten-
ton to this possibility of delay in the
senate, and there is no doubt thai it
is having a pronounced influence on
the disposal of the question. They re-
cogniZe the fact that il so disposed the
minority can obstruct all legislation
for IN indefinite time and probably
continue the present session of on
gres far into the summer. Some of
them also hold the view hat censure
is a more severe and certain form of
punishment than suspension.
These are the reasons which have led
the republican members of the sub
committee to agree to a resolution of
censure and nothing is left to complete
the proceeding but to secure the as
sent of their republican colleagues
who are not members of the sub-com-
mittee. The matter has been lett opcn
for consultation with them. and, while
the full committee has beer called to
meet tomorrow at 1920 o'clock, the
subcommittee will meet half an hour
previous to hat time. This will afford
opportunity to notify the democrats If
there should he a change of pro-
grainIne.
There has been considerable discus
sion of the matter of a differentiation
of the punishment of the two senators,
some of the republican members hold
ing out strongly for a more severe re-
buke to Tillman than to Senator Nc
Laurin, because they hold that his Of
Tense of striking a fellow senator was
greater than that of his colleague, who
CAV the provocation to the blow, b {
this course has been practically aban-
doned so far as the subcommittee is
concerned, and boil will be equally
reprimanded.
1t also a been virtually decided
that no apology shall be exacted from
the senators, the reason for eliminat-
ing any requirement of hat kind be-
ing found in the fact that senators
generally fear sue enforced apologies
might not amount to apologies. after
all.
The democratic members of the COM
mittee have suggested that the CEN
sure should be in very severe language
and, if anything lave been Inclined
to be more caustic than their republi-
can colleagues.
II * the desire Of all the members OF
the committee to find a course of ac-
ton that will be acceptable to the en-
tire senate, and the only difficulty
now appears to be to secure the con-
sent of those republicans who believe
the occasion calls for more than words
of rebuke. The resolution will impose
on the president of the senate the task
of administering the reprimand.