Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-02-26
PUZZLES THE SENATE
Tillman- McLaurin Case Presents Difficult
Problem for Solution.
SENATORS ARE RESTORED To PRIVILEGES
Frye Removes Restrictions to Bring Matter
to Settlement.
SHIFTS RESPONSIBILITY TO SENATE
Propristy of Original Course is Question
by Leading Members.
TEMPORARY SUSPENSION IS SUGGESTED
peIiberntiOn is COunselIed I'm Deter
mining the Penalty 20 BE Melted
Out TO BelliEerent south
CarOIinians.

WASHINGTON, Feb 25.--ouite unexpect-
edIy the senate adjourned today within ff-
teen minutes after It convened.
An hour before the body convened the
ralleries began to fll with spectators, all
expecting a sequel to the great debate OF
yesterday on the rights OF senators from
Bouth Carolina to cast their votes while
under the ban Of contempt by the senate
Several democratic senators had books
upon their desks and it looked as though
they were preparing to continue the con-
test Of yesterday. This was made more
evident even after the senate convened.
When the clerk began the reading OF the
journal of the proceedings yesterday the
usual request that the reading be sus-
pended was made by Mr.. Stewart, repub-
iican Of Nevada.
"I object" interrupted Mr.. Turner. dem
ocrat of Washington, and Mr.. Dubois, dem
Dcrat OF Idaho, in unison and the reading
was continued. At it's conclusion the Jour
nal was approved without comment.
Instantly Mr.. Mcmillan, republican of
Michigan, a member Of the republican
steering committee, was on his feet. He
called up the message Of the house Of rep
resentatives. announcing to the senate the
death last fail Of Representative Rosseau
Crump Of Michigan. He presented resolu-
etons expressive OF the sorrow Of the senate
ut tho announcement. These were adopted
and then the senate, as an additional mark
Of respect, at 1918 adjourned. The dem
pcratic senators we're evidently surprised
but offered no objections.
Frye Restores Names to Roll.
The most important development today in
connection with the Tillman- McLaurin cpl
eode Of last Saturday was the act Of Sem
etor Frye, president pro tempore Of the
senate, in ordering the clerk OF the senate
10 restore the names Of the two South Car
olina senator's TO the senate roll.
II the present plan Is carried out this act
will be followed by the adoption by the
senate OF a resolution before a vote on any
other subject Is taken. practically endorsing
the action OF the president pro tem in or
Herring their names erased and suspending
the two senators for some definite time.
The order OF Senator Frye for the restor-
alton 81 the names 10 the roll Was issued
almost ffirasdszt siy ssstsr the senate con-
Nened today and was the result OF general
oonference among the republican leaders of
the senate. When asked for an explanation
" this order. senator Frye said:
In my rulings yesterday believe that 1
was strictly within parliamentary laws;
% re1SoSni,tIon .Ss, Either 70 speak or to vote
but, desirous OF shifting the responsibility
from the chair 70 the senate, I have di-
names Of the two senators from South
Carolina.
90 Senate to Decide Case.
when asked II the result Of this action
would be the recognition Of either Of the
penators to either vote or speak, Senator
Frye replied that Il would not, and that
was a question which must be decided by
The senate, He declined, however, to state
how the question would be brought to the
attention Of the senate.
Inquiry in other quarters developed the
fact that there had been a conference OF
the republican leaders In Senator Aidrich's
committee room during the forenoon and
that tho extent OF Senator Frye's ruling
and especially its fAr-reaching result. NOT
only. In this case. but as a precedent. had
been very exhaustively discussed, the con-
struction being that the action OF the presi-
dent pro tenn in striking the names Of the
South Carolina senators from the roll and
his refusal Of request to have their
names called. was beyond precedent In the
senate and not entirely Justified.
On this account II was decided that thiI
particular phase Of the question should be
Immediately taken up by the committee OF
who Is chairman OF that committee, wal
called into the conference and the details
of carrying out the plan was intrusted t.
him.
Mode of Procedure.
1t was decided that a resolution should
be formulated providing for the temporar!
suspension OF the two senators, and tina
this resolution should be passed upon b!
Mr.. Burrows committee and presented Il
Lhe senate as soon as possible after tn,
convening Of that body tomorrow.
The general opinion OF the senators pres
ent was that the South Carolina mel
should be punished TO some extent for tn
alteration OF Saturday and the senaton
present were quite agreed that suspension
would be the most practicable and reason
able form of innicting this punishment
The question Of time was left indefinite
the understanding that this should be de
tsrmiBsd by the committee. which meet
tomorrow morning.
The republican members OF the senat
committee on privileges and elections wer
In consultation during the afternoon owe
the resolution which was proposed to brin
20 the attention Of the senate tomorrow
None OF the senators present at the con
ference would consent to disclose the de
tails OF their proceedings. but II Is learne
u BcueIul way luab uOuL
was expressed by some Of the member
As to the regularity OF the suggested pro
Deeding. some Of the senators holding tbs
the suspension Of the senators. even b
the senate itself. would be subject to crit
lcism-
ProbIem a DimcuIt One.
The feeling was quite general that th
problem Is a difhcult and intricate one an
the opinion was expressed that II would b
impossible 20 formulate a line OF actio
that could be put into execution at so earl
date a. tomorrow.
Senators Burrows and Foraker were az
Pointed a subcommittee TO consult author
ties and suggest q form OF proceeding
sithsr the one proposed or on other line
The democratic senators spent the day
fContipusd an Fifth Parel =