The Indianapolis journal., 1902-02-28
McLaurin and TiIIman VIII BE Mere
Iy Censured, Instead of Suspend
ed, as First Suggested.
WILL NOT EVEN APOLOGIZE
ACTION OF THE SENATE SUBCOM-
MITTEE ON ELECTIONS.
Protest Placed on Record-Senator
Turner's Pardon Begged by Pres
ident Pro Tenn. Frye.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 27.-The subcom-
mittee on privileges and elections. which
was appointed yesterday TO formulate a
proposition for the proper punishment of
Senator'S Tillman and McLaurin, of South
Carolina, for their offense TO the Senate last
Saturday, to-day practically concluded to
recommend that the two senators be
severely censured for their conduct and TO
limit the punishment to censure. The sub
committee consists of Senators Burrows.
Hoar and Foraker (Republicans). and Sena-
tors Pettus and Bailey Democrats) All
were present at the early part of the meet
ing, but Senator Bailey was compelled by
in6isposition TO leave the conference be-
fore its close.
To-day's meeting was a very harmonious
one, and little difference of opinion de-
veloped. The Republican members Of the
subcommittee did not themselves contend
for resolution suspending the two sena-
tors, but represented that there were some
Republican members of the full committee
who adhere TO the opinion that through
suspension only can adequate punishment
be meted out to the offending members.
Senator Beveridge is understood to be
among the most strenuous advocates of
this form of proceeding and Senator Nc
Comas is inclined TO agree with him. Some
doubt is expressed as TO whether they will
unite in a report limiting the punishment
to censure.
On the other hand some of the Democratic
members made il very plain that they not
only would not agree In committee to the
reporting of resolution of suspension, but
that if such a resolution should be pre-
sented to the Senate by the majority of
the committee they would resist its adop-
ton by the Senate to the extent of insist
ing upon prolonged debate. The Republican
members Of the committee and also many
Republican senators who are not members
of the committee have given very serious
attention TO this possibility of delay in
the Senate and there is no doubt that Ii
is having a pronounced influence on the
disposal of the question. They recognize
the fact that If so disposed the minority
can obstruct all legislation for an indefinite
time and probably continue the present
session of Congress far into the summer.
Some of them also hold the view that CEN
sure is more severe and certain form of
punishment than suspension.
These are the reasons which have led the
Republican members of the subcommittee
to agree to a resolution of censure and
nothing Is left TO complete the proceeding
but TO secure the assent of their Republican
colleagues who are not members of the
subcommittee The matter has been left
the full committee has been called to meet
tomorrow at 10:30, the subcommittee will
meet half an hour previous 10 that time.
This will afford opportunity to notify the
Democrats if there should be a change of
programme
There has been considerable discussion
of the matter of a differentiation of the
punishment of the two senators, some of
the Republican members holding out strong
ly for a more severe rebuke TO Senator Till
man than TO Senator McLaurln, because
they hold that his offense of striking
a feIIow-senator was greater than that OF
his colleague, who gave the provocation to
the blow, but this course has been practi-
caIly abandoned so far as the subcommittee
Is concerned and both will be equally rep
rimanded 1t also has been virtually de-
cided that apology shall be exacted
from the senators, the reason for eliminat-
ing any requirement of that kind being
found in the fact that senators generally
fear such enforced apologies might not
smount to apologies after all.
The Democratic members of the COM
mittee have suggested that the censure
should be in very severe language, and,
II anything. have been inclined TO be more
1t is the desire of all the members of the
committee to find a course of action that
will be acceptable to the entire Senate and
the only difficulty now appears to be to Sc
cure the consent of those Republicans who
mere words of rebuke. The resolution will
impose on the president of the Senate the
task of administering the reprimand.