The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-03-05
SENATE IN 4 QUANDARY.
Proper Procedure in TilIman-Mc-
Laurin Case is Worrying Astute
Lawmakers.

Washington, Feb. 21.-The meeting
of the senate committee on privileges
and elections this afternoon did not
result inssuppliyng any solution of the
difficulty that the senate is
in in connection with the
Tillman- -McLaurin matter. The
Republican members of the COM
mittee frankly confessed that they
had not been able to formulate a scheme
which would relieve the situation,
and after less than an hours discus
sion they asked that the committee
should adjourn until 2 o'clock this
afternoon, the understanding being
that the senate should adjourn after
q brief session and thus give the COM
mittee an opportunity to consider this
important question which most sena-
tors look upon in its present shape as
a stumbling block in the way of all
other legislation.
DEMOCRATS ON THE ALERT.
The meetirg of the committee was
marked by the best OF feeling on the
part of all the members and all agreed
readily to a preliminary suggestion
by Chaiman Burrows, that the ques-
ton should be approached from
purely nom n-partisan standpoint because
of it's general importance. 1t was
evident, however, that the Democrats
were inclined to apprehend some
effort at political advantage on the
part of. the Republicans and the chan
mel through which they expected this
manifestation soon became evident,
when Senator Foraker made the sug-
gestion that there should be a severer
degree of punishment meted out to
Senator Tillman than to Senator Nc
Laurin. Senator Dubois 2met this
suggestion with q positive negative,
and when the suggestion was after
wards made that Senator Tillman
should be called upon to prove before
the committee the charge which he
had repeated in the senate that his
colleague had yielded to undue infu-
ence there was hint that if this mat
ter should be entered upon some sena-
tors would insist upon the reopening
Of the charges On file in the commit
tee in connection with the election of
other senators, which charges have
never been disposed of.
During the morning meeting of the
committee Senator Bailey notified the
Republican members that the Demo
Gratis would not submit to the adop-
ton Of a resolution suspending the
South Carolina senators. He said he
agreed that they should be punished
for their breach Of the peace in the
presence of the senate but he was sat
isfed that the Democrats would not
Submit to any proceeding which would
deprive a State of representation.
Some of the Republican members of
the committee replied that they agreed
as to TIE nnwisdom and Impractical
bility of proceeding by way of sus-
pension. While no positive statement
of policy was made from the Republi
can side there was enough said TO lead
to the conclusion that the proposed
resolution Cor suspension has been
abandoned and that the punishment
suggested will be in the form Of cen
sure. Indeed some Of the Republican
members of the committee say that
this is practically the only course open
to them. The Republicans, however,
viii contend for more severe rebuke
TO Mr.. Tillman than shall be admins
tered to Mr. McLaurin and the Dem
Gratis will resist this discrimination.
That is now the point Of greatest
difference.
The committee on privileges and
elections continued its consideration
of the Tllman- -McLaurin episode dur
ing the afternoon, but reached no con-
clusion beyond deciding to refer the
entire matter tc Il subcommittee and
to meet again on Friday to consider
any recommendation made By the sub
committee. The afternoon session
lasted. three hours, and after the
Democratic members took their depar
ture at 5 o'clock the Republicans cor
tinued toe discussion. The afternoon
meeting was devoted to general ex-
change of view. No vote was taken
on any proposition; indeed, no propo
sition was made by either the majority
or the minority. There was entire
agreement on the one point that both
the South Carolina senators should be
punished, but there was disagreement
on the details Of punishment as we'll
as on the degree of it.
The senators had beforeXthem full
reports of the speeches of both the
senator's making careful comparison Of
their language. Each member also
was provided with copy of the con-
stitution and of the rules Of the SEN
ate, and these as we'll as the establish
ed parliamentary authorities were con
suited freques@ly.
PUNIsHNDST TO FIT THE
CRIME.
4 half dozen different suggestions
were made as to modes of punish
ment, including suspension and cen
sure by the senate, and censure with