Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-02-24
TILLMAN-McLAURIN.

AS stat sd 10 Saturdays Gazstte the
lie was passed 10 the Senate that even
ing aud f.t fight occurred between
Senators Tillman and McLaurin, Of
South Carolina. in which blows were
struck on both sides. After the combat
arts had been separated the SeDsts
went into executive session amid much
confusion.
The proceedings after the doors were
closed covered almost two hours OF
time, and resulted 10 the adoption OF
resolution in the form OF an order, as
follows:
Ordered, That the two Senator'S from
the. State OF South Carolina bs declared
in contempt Of the Senate, on account
Of the altercstion and personal en-
counter between them this day 10
open session, and that the matter be re-
ferred to the commit 90 on privileges
and elections, with instructions to re-
port what action shall be taken by the
Senate in reg ard thereto.
Both the South Carolina Senators re-.
NAMED In their seats throughout the
secret session, They conferred occa
sionally with their friends, bit neither
made any ait ampt to address the Senst ,.
Altar the secret session the Sensts at
5:l5 o'clock resumed business 10 open
session. Evidence was abundant that
the secret session bad been exciting.
As soon as order could be restored,
| Mr.. Blackburn said that as the seal OF
secrecy had been removed from the
secret session just held, he was at lilo.
eIty to say that in that session he had
made q statement to thu Senate oil
what Mr.. Tiliman was prepared and
| pleased ID say TO the Senate. He ex.
| plained that both senator's from South
Carolina had been declared by the Sen
ate t } be In contempt. What he desir-
ed now to know, and he wanted the
Chair to rule on the point, was wheth'
er any statement could be made to the
Senats In open session BY either OF the
senator's while they were 10 contempt
The discussion on this question YVES
long, after which President pro tom.
Frye announced that he was ready Ia
| rule. and said:
"While these two Senators are declar.
ed ID be in contempt the Chair could
not recognize either if he should rise
aud address the Chair, but on motion
made by any Senator that they be
heard the Chair should recognize the
Senator making tle motion and would
hold that the motion wss In order"
At the conclusion Of the ruling Nj
Black burn stated that the Senators
from South Carolina be given the floor
| and the motion was carried.
Mr.. Tillmsn then said
"Mr. President, / have always es'
teemed it high honor and privilege 10
Oe a member OF this body. ] bad never
had any legislative experience when
came here, and my previous service 81
governor OF South Carolina FOR touI
years had uufilted me in measure to
enter this august assembly with thai
dignity aud regard-proper regard,
will say--for Its traditions and habits
and rules, that ia desirable.
II have been here seven years.
have 10 that time learned to Judge mer
with little more cstholicity OF spirit
t1sn / did when l came here. / have
found great many people here Ia
whose personal integrity aud honor AND
regard for their obligations as gentle
men, have implicit confidence; but
have seen so much of craftsmanship,
have seen 80 much OF what l consider
slavish submission to party domination
that l confess have felt somewhat al
! loss how 10 Judge men who 10 one
| respect appeared TO be 80 high and
clean and honorable, and In another ap.
peared more or less despicsble. say
this because OF the fact that one Of the
Senators has seen fit to allude to some
m alters that occurred in the debate
this afternoon. l now want to say that
30 far as any action OF mine has caused
any Senator here, or the Senate as Q
body, or the people OF the United
States, to feel that have been dereliot,
and that / have DOT shown that courte-
sy and proper observance OF the rules
of this body, that / regret IT.; apologies
for It. Was ready to do that two
minutes after l had acted, but under
the provocation which was known to
sill Of you, could not have acted other
wise than / did, and while apologize
to the Senate and am sorry that 1t has
occurred, have nothing more ID say"
Mr.. McLsurin said:
"Mr. President, did not reallza that
| was in contempt Of the Senate, nor
do / link now, il my words are read
in the record, thst | was 10 contempt
of the Senate, but at the same time,
as ne Senate has ruled that am 10
contempt of this honorable body, beg
leave ID apologize.
II desire to say, MIR. President. that
I have been very sorelY and severely
tried. was 10 attendance on the CON-
mittee 90 Indian Afflirs when l re-
ceived message from a friend In the
Senbts that my presence was needed
here.
~"Tne history of the vote on the Span.
ish treaty is known to all OF you. There
have been statements made 10 newsps-
pers and insinuations that bad been
influenced by improper motives in con.
nection with my vote on that treaty.
knowing 10 my own soul and knowing
that God in heaven also knows that 1t
was false, when was told that 1t was
cenlered down to me, ! was 30 outraged
by what considered a mott brutal
assault upon my honor ss a man, and
especially IN view OF the fact that 10
the beginning Of the session, after the
acton Of my party sscciates, | made
a most careful and deliberate statement
explaining all those matters. / did not
feel as q man that could ever hold up
my head again IL did not resent it in
the place where IL was delivered In the
strongest and most forcible terms that
l could employ"
The Senats took no further action,
and the resolution referring the matter
tn the com mittee on Privileges and