Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-02-26
THEY CAME TO BLOWS.
Tillman and McLaurin Fight
In the Senate.
BECAUSE OF TILLMAN'S
HAUNTING ACCUSATIONS.


and Tillman Tries to Fight-Both
Senators Are Ruled For Contempt,
and Investigations Appear to be In
Order-Most Sensational Incident
In History Of Senate.
Senators Tillman and McLaurin had
a fight on the floor Of the United States
senate last Saturday afternoon. It was
the result Of Senator Tillman's repeated
charge that Senator McLaurin sold his
vote on the Spanish treaty for the Fed
eral patronage in South Carolina. Sem
ator McLaurin denounced the statement
as "wilful, malicious and deliberate
lie." Senator Tillman struck Senator
McLaurin, and Senator McLaurin
returned blow for blow, bringing blood
from Senator Tillman's nose. The As
ISOLATED Press gives a remarkably
graphic, but at the same time fair and
impartial story Of the whole sensational
incident.
Senator Tillman had commenced a
speech on the Philippine tariff bill on
the day before, and he resumed his re-
marks Saturday afternoon. Senator
McLaurin was at the time engaged with
business in the room Of the committee
on Indian affairs. Senator Tillman was
not being taken very seriously, and he
directed a taunting question to "his
friends on the other side Of the cham
ber." Senator Spooner, Of Wisconsin,
desired to know to whom he referred
and he replied: II have many friends
on the Republican side. Personally you
are nice, clean-hearted set Of men;
but politically you are the most infam-
GUS towards and hypocrites that ever
happened" This was received with
good natured laughter; but later on
Senator Tillman became involved in
a lively colloquy with Senator Spoon
er, regarding the ratification Of the
Paris treaty. In speech Of the day
before, Senator Spooner had referred
to the efforts of VIM. ]. Bryan to Sc
cure the ratification Of the treaty.
Senator Tillman agreed that the influ-
ence of Bryan was potent; but insisted
that even his influence was not suff1-
cient to induce the senate to ratify the
treaty, for after he had done all that 1t
was possible for him to do, Senator TILL
man asserted that the Republicans yet
lacked votes enough to secure -fataaea--
ton.
"You know" he shouted, shaking his
finger at the Republican side, "how
those votes necessary were secured"
How were they secured?" demanded
Senator Spooner.
IT know If the senator does not?" re-
piled Senator Tillman. II have receiv-
ed information in confidence from that
side Of the chamber. know from that
that improper influences were used in
getting these votes"
Name the man." insisted Senator
Spooner, upon whom those influences
were brought to bear. 1t is due the
senate and due the country that he
name him. A man who impeaches an
other in confidence Is a coward. If the
senator knows Of any man who has
been improperly Influenced he should
name him."
"I know" asserted Senator Tillman,
that the patronage, the Federal pa
tronage of state has been parcelled
out to a senator since the ratification
Of that treaty"
What state?" demanded Senator
Spooner.
South Carolina" shouted Senator
Tillman.
"Then," said Senator Spooner, II
leave you to fight the matter out with
your colleague"
"Well," retorted Senator Tillman, II
never shirk the responsibility for
statement I make. I know that he
(Senator McLaurin, his colleague), vo-
ted for the treaty. I know that i'm
proper influences were brought to bear.
I know what I believe"
You simply believe" retorted Sena-
tor Spooner, what you do not know"
Here the incident came to close for
time. Senator Tillman continued his
speech, and on the authority Of news
paper stories and anonymous letters,
told of alleged cruelty and murder COM
mitted by American troops, particular
ly the troops under General Funston, In
the Philippines. Senator Burton, of
Kansas, defended General Funston,
and branded certain statement about
his troops as an Infamous lie."
In the meantime, Senator McLaurin
had returned from the committee room,
and had gotten a transcript Of the stem
ographer's notes Of what Tillman had
said. The balance Of the story Is as
told by the Associated Press without
abridgement:
Pale to the lips and trembling with
the emotion which in vain he endeavor-
ed to control, Senator McLaurin, of
South Carolina, rose and addressed the
senate, speaking to question of per-
sonal privilege. Instantly hush fell
over the senate and over the people In
the thronged galleries. The very at
mosphere seemed surcharged with ex-
citement. With breathless interest the
auditors, both on the floor and in the
galleries hung upon every word uttered
by the South Carolina senator. Despite
the emotion under which he was labor
ing, Senator McLaurin seemed to be
the coolest man in the chamber. He
spoke with deliberation and his enun-
citation was clear and distinct. Every
word he uttered seemed to be felt, as
we'll as heard, in the remotest parts Of
the historic old hall.
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