New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-02-27
THE SENATE IN A TANGLE.
TILLMAN-MLAURIN CASE BLOCKS ALL
LEGISLATION.
PRIVILEGES AND ELECTIONS COMMITTEE
WRESTLING WITH THE PROBLEM OF
PUNISHMENT FOR THE SOUTH
CAROLINIANS.
rBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBrHE.1


Washington Feb. 2S-The Senate was in session
exactly a minute and a half to-day. and the pros
! poets that its session tomorrow will be short
The reason of this extraordinary hrevity, actual
and in prospect is that neither side is vet ready
to proceed to the final adjudication of the remark
! able and wholly unprecedented Tillman -McIaurfn
case When adjournment was taken yesterday soon
after the opening Of the session the excuse given
was the desire to pay respect 10 the memory OF
! Representative Crump. Of Michigan. who died
nearly wear ago. But to-dav's hurried adjourn
ment was frankly accounted for by Senator Bur
rows. of Michigan. chairman Of the Committee on
Privileges and Elections, who asked that the ses-
sion be brought to a close because his committee
had not been able this morning TO reach agree
ment as to what further action should he taken TO
punish the South Carolina Senators for their dis
| orderly conduct last Saturday. Senator Hoar and
other members Of the committee worked energet-
! icaly among the Democrats before the Senate
| called to order asking that Mr.. Burrows's motion
he unanimously agreed TO in the interest both of
harmony and the dignity of the Senate. Many
Democrats were opposed to the programme, but the
leaders soon brought the recacitrants into line,
| that when the motion for adjournment made
II was carried unanimously Senator Burrows
briefly explained that At the morning session the
Committee Privileges and Elections had been
una bic TO arrive at conclusion and II desired fur
Their time to consider the questions involved He
hoped. however. that the committee could agree
some time to-day and be ready to report its find
| ings to the Senate tomorrow.
The committee Iabored earnestly behind closed
doors all the afternoon but when II adjourned
= O'Clock, it was apparently about far from
agreement as at the beginning. Because Of this
motion will be made by Mr.. Burrows when the
Senate reassembles tomorrow morning that i'm
mediate adjournment again be taken in order that
the committee can deliberate further. with the
promise that probably a report will be made
Friday. In order to expedite the work sub
committee appointed to prepare the resolution
=
tee is conposd of ESsg1 BrrnE S 86ST and
Foraker. Republicans. AMI PettUs and Bailey.
1t is MT certain however, that the sub-comnit-
propositions # is CONSIDERING run ali the way from
the expulsion of both members and the expulsion
censure Of both senators intermediate PROPOSE
IONS are t2r me suspension Tor orlef PERIOD or
I,aurn in the censure TO be voted. Mr. Pritchard.
more humiiiating than that imposed on McLaurin
holding that the offence Of Tilman is graver than
Republican member Of the committee would vote
for this If it develops that a resolution Of tenn
PoTaTy suspension cannot he 1greed upon unaEi
are are particularly strong supporters Of this plan
ilgham. the other two Republican committeeman.
IS on this proposition Is not known. II Is not
course that was agreeable TO the majority Of the
Republican members provided II made plain
that unanimous report could be agreed on.
DEMOCRATS FIGHTING FOR TILLNIAN
But It seems that the Democratic members are
determined make hard fight for Tillman.
They plead that while they favor some form Of
further punishment for the offending Senators.
still TiIlman has not offended the dignity and
decorum Of the Senate 10 greater degree than
McLaurin and. therefore. their punishment should
be the Nor will the Democrats listen to any
suggestion OF temporary suspension, basfng their
opposition TO this the constitutional grounds
already stated by Senators Turner and Bailey II
Is believed that unless the punishment recon-
mended Is equal the Democrats will make a mi
nority report and thus divide the Senate squareIy
on party lines. II appears make difference 10
them that this course would make Tilman nation
al political issue along with Aguinaldo and the other
" and at times violently in the Senate when
muzGled. In point Of fact. the Democratic leaders
see n anxious TO make sort Of political issue
OF the incident since they think that they the
tional questions involved in the action OF Sen
ator Frye. as the presiding officer OF the Sen
I'm ordering the clerk the last rollcaN TO omit
the names OF both South Carolina Senators and
his subsequent action in ordering the clerk 10
place their names the roll
While 70 is hoped by the Republican leaders that
for the sake or the dignity Of the Senate the
whole matter may be dropped through an harmOni-
Gus agreement on form OF punishment for both
South Carolina Senators. they are prepared
Should the Committee Privileges and Elections
be unable 10 agree and the majority report a
luton for suspension IL is thought that the
luton would receive every Republican This
would carry the point, and both Tillman and Nc
Laurin would be debarred from taking part in the
proceedings OF he Senate for the period named i'm
the resolution or suspension.