The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-02-26
Mr.. Frye's Arbitrary Action a
Mistake.
REPUBLICANS CORRECT ERROR
Talk of SuspcndinE Senators TILL
man and McLnurin--Tbcir Right to
Debate Question Pending Action of
Committee.

The Republicans have decided that
serious mistake was made when Presi-
dent Frye on Monday arbitrarily caused
the names Of the two Senator's from South
Carolina to be stricken from the roll be-
fore the report of the Committee on
Privileges and Elections had been made.
The names of Mr.. Tillman and Mr.. Nc
Laurin therefore have been replaced on
the roll by Mr.. Frye.
Senators to De Suspended.
But the Democrats are on the schedule
for a defeat next, If the plans of the
Republicans are not changed suddenly. 1t
is now proposed that the Senate shall
decide by vote formally to suspend the
South Carolina Senators pending the re-
port of the Committee on Privileges and
Elections.
This course means that the Republican
legal lights do not care to make prece-
dent allowing the Presiding Officer. OF
his own motion. TO strike the name of
Senator from the roll. but that. on the
other hand, they are not willing as yet
at least. to agree with the Democrats that
there is no way of Furnishing Senator
short of expulsion. They propose to sus-
pend the Senators, ana thus deny that
Mr.. Bailey is right in his contention.
Restoration of Names Decided Upon.
The Republicans got together in the
early part of the day, and arranged tha~
the Senate should be stricken with grief
over the news Of the demise of Represen-
tative Crump a year ago, and should I'M
mediately adjourn. 1t was also decided
that the names of the South Carolina sen
ators should be replaced on the Senate
roll.
In the afternoon it was decided that the
Senate must formally suspend MesSrs.
Tillman and McLaurin. There was also
some talk as to quick report of the
Committee on Privileges and Elections
which it was suggested by some might be
an easy way out of the snarl
1t could net be learned that any decision
was reached in this regard. a meeting of
the committee will be held this morning,
1t is understood but what it Will do is
coniectural
Democrats ut n Loss.
The Democrats, meanwhile. were equally
at a loss. Their victory in securing the
revocation of Mr.. Frye's action On Mon
day was in one way defeat, as it pre-
vented them from precipitating on the
Senate resolution prepared by Senator
Turner. one of the able lawyers of the
Democratic side. which called for thIs
very action on the part of the Senate
Obviously, when Mr.. Frye has put the
names back on the roll the pith has been
extracted from any demand that that ac-
ton be taken. The immediate adjourn
ment of the Senate yesterday morning
also somewhat nonplussed the opposition
fer a time, as well as giving the Re
publicans time to rally their forces
The Democrats. however have decided
that there shall be no suspension of
Messrs. Tillman and McLaurin without a
fight. and a wordy one. This phase of the
situation is-eXtremely interesting.
Restored to the Roll.
Mr.. Frye has already put these Sena-
tors back on the roll. They will not be
removed again without a vote, and under
the rules of the Senate no vote can be
demanded until every man in the body
has talked as long as he wishes to.
Apparently, therefore. the Democrats
Will be able to enforce their views on the
Constitutional rights of the States by
speeches to their hearts content. In the
end, apparently, the Republicans must
win, but It may take long time.
Meanwhile the new position of sena-
tors Tillman and McLaurin is also open
TO debate.
Very evidently they have right to
vote pending the vote against them. The
Democrats ask if they have not also the
right to talk. 1t is not impossible tina.
Mr.. Tiliman may arise in his chair today
to debate the question OF the constitu-
tional right Of the Senate to deprive
South Carolina OF its suffrage.
A Precedent Needed.
The Republican Senator's are perhaps
sincerely glad that the history of the Sen
ate has been so free of brawls like that
CT last Saturday, but at the same time
they would be very glad If they had
precedent to follow at this juncture.
The Senate has never had occasion to
decide what contempt" of the Senate
means practically nothing more than
mere phrase of Reproduction, and that it
does not of itself carry any penalties.
Until a decision has been reached 10
the contrary by vote, the Republicans,
it is said, will be averse to taking any
further arbitrary action.
Another Grievance.
The Democrats have another grievance
which they propose to air. In the course
OF tie parliamentary tussle on Monday
President Frye decided in the affirmative
the point raised by Senator Lodge that
no other business whatever is in order
pending a roll call. and that during the
call not even a point OF order or an APP
peal from a decision OF the Char can be
entertained until the roll is completed
and the result announced. This decision
he rendered to stop the Democratic argu-
ment on the Tillman- McLaurin episode.
Long-t' -entened CIoture.
Many Democratic Senators claim that
tbs decision means in its practical appli-
cation to the business of the Senate moth |
ing less than the long threatened cloture |
The Republican parlia nentary experts |
however. say no.. that it does not mean |
cloture. but that President Frye's de- |
cision on Mr.. Lodges point was simply in |
accordance with the plain undisputed rule |
of the Senate.
Freedom of debate still exists in the
United States Senate and is apt 10 remaiiri
a cardinal principle OF that illustrious |
parliamentary body, they say, for many |
years to come.