The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-02-23

opening of the doors. This was voted
down, IS to AZ.
The Republican senator's generally
expressed themselves as willing to hear
the apologies promised, but generally
insisted that there should be first ac-
ton upon the resolution.
Contempt Vote Unanimous.
On the suggestion of Mr. Bacon
there was a division of the two
branches of the question. The first
vote was taken on the declarat ton that
the two senators were in contempt,
and it prevailed by a unanimous vote
of 81 to on a roll call. The remain
der of the resolution referring the mat
ter to the Committee on Privileges and
Elections was adopted without roll
call.
Both the South Carolina senators re-
manned in their seats during the entire
secret session. They conferred occa-
sionally with their friends, but neither
made any attempt to address the Sen
ate.
After the secret session the Senate at
Sis D. m. resumed business in open
session. Evidence was abundant that
the secret session had been more OF
less exciting. Nearly every senator in
the chamber was on his feet. Groups
of senators were gathered here and
there about the chamber, all discussing
the portentous event which had
thrown the dignified body into a fer
ment.
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 lib
erty to say that during that session he
had made a statement to the Senate of
what the senator from South Carolina
(Tillman), was prepared and pleased to
say TO the Senate. He explained that
both senators from South Carolina had
been declared by the Senate to be in
contempt. What he desired now to
know, and he wanted the chair to rule
upon the point, was whether any state
ment could be made to the Senate In
open session by either of the senators
while they were in contempt of the
Senate.
Mr.. Foraker interrupted to suggest
that unanimous consent be given to
the senator's to make their statements.
Mr.. Blackburn's Point.
Mr. Blackburn declined to hear for a
moment any suggestion that unani-
nous consent be given them to address
the Senate. That they were in con-
tempt all senators, all the world now
knew What he wanted to know was,
whether senators in contempt could
address the Senate, not as a matter of
courtesy, but as a matter of right. On
that point he demanded a ruling by the
chair. The senior senator from South
Carolina (Mr. Tillman), he continued,
was willing and anxious to make a
statement to the Senate, but he wanted
to know how he could make it. The
action of the Senate in declaring Mr..
Tillman in contempt was in his judg-
ment premature.
Mr.. Hoar suggested that the senators
could address the Senate by unanimous
consent or by a motion made to give
them that privilege for which a ma
jority of the Senate should vote.
Mr.. Blackburn objects to any unani-
nous consent, maintaining that If the
senators were accorded the floor in that
way they held it for any purpose and
any subject
"Oh, no, no." came protests from all
parts OF the chamber
MIR. Stewart was about to suggest
the practice of courts in contempt
cases, but he was interrupted by Mr..
Blackburn with the statement that the
Senate was not a court in any sense.
The Senate had its own rules and by
them only could It be governed.
Mr.. Aldrich of Rhode Island said
said that there was nothing in the
rules of the Senate which covered
specifically such 4 violation of the or
der and dignity of the body as had oc-
CURED. AS both senators had been de-
Glade by the Senate to be in contempt,
however, It was manifest that they
could not take the floor except for the
express purpose of purging themselves
of that contempt. He maintained that
the senators from South Carolina had
been adjudged out of order practically
by vote of the Senate.
The discussion on this question was
quite lengthy and was participated In
by Mr.. Blackburn, Mr.. Patterson, Mr..
Foraker and Mr.. Teller.
President Frye's Ruling.
other senators showed disposition
to discuss the subject further, but
President Pro TEN. Frye announced
he was ready TO rule and said
while these two senator's are de-
clared 10 be In contempt, the chair
could not recognize either II he should
rise and address the chair, but on mo-
ton made by any senator that they
be heard the chair would recognize the
senator making the motion and would
hold that Che motion WAS IN order. In
the ordinary transRression Of the rules
or violation Of order the senator YiO-
latinR n must take his chair and he
cannot be recognized BY the presiding
officer again until the senate has re-
lleyed him % that By motion. or course
the senators from South Carolina can
b. relieved from the condition IN which
they nov are. 20 far az recognition ~