The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-23

III I.I.lfs-1-l-lH1.AIE)ss xl1
stated that tho two South Carolina Sena-
tors were willing to- apologize and thus
purge themselves Of the contempt, and
In view OF this statement Mr.. Hoar
withdrew the portion of lbs amendment
providing for their commitment.
Mr.. Foraker then accepted the amend-
ment OF Mr.. Hoar, and 1t was embodied
In the resolution.
CHARGE MORE SERIOUS.
Mr.. Hanna suggested that serious as
had been the encounter in the Senate, it
was not SO grave as the charge of miscon-
duct made against Mr.. N1cLaur1n, and he
thought that any investigation under
taken should extend to that matter.
Mr. Teller, while uniting with other
Senator's in deprecating the occru.rance,
said that It was not unprecedented, ana
instanced the encounter between Senators
Benton and Foote. He also suggested
that Mr.. Spooner was not entirely blame
less for to-1ay's occurrence, because oy
his interrogatories he had provoked Mr.
Tilllnan to make explicitly the charges
which had been but vaguely made before
his interference.
Mir. Spooner said that he had been Of
the opinion that Mr.. Tillman should eth
er not make his charges or move for an
inquiry by the Senate if he believed them
to be well founded.
VOTE UNANIMOUS.
The first vote was taken on the decla-
ration that the two Senators We're IN
contempt, and it prevailed by unani-
nous vote of 81 to on q roll call. The
remainder of the resolution. referring the
matter to the Committee on Privileges and
Elections. was adopted without Il roll call.
Both e- South Carolina Senators re-
mained in their seats during TIE entire
secret session
After the secret session, the Senate at
OTIS resumed business in open session
Mr.. Blockburn explained that both Sen
ators from South Carolina had been de-
clared 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 statement could be
made to the Senate in open session by
either Of the Senators while they were
in contempt Of the Senate.
PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION.
Mr.. Foraker interrupted to suggest that
unanimous consent be given to the SEN
ators to make their statements.
Mr.. Blackburn declined to hear for
moment any suggestion that unanimous
consent be given them to address the
Senate. What he wanted to know was
whether Senator's in contempt could ad-
dress the Senate, not as a matter OF
courtesy, but as as a. matter of right On
that point he demanded ruling by the
Chair The action Of the Senate in de-
claring Mr.. Tillman in contempt was, IN
his judgment, premature.
The discussion on this question was
quite lengthy, and was participated in by
Mr.. Blackburn, Mr.. Patterson, Mr.. Fora
ker and Mr.. Teller. Other Senators
showed a disposition to discuss the sub
iect further, but President Pro TEN Frye,
announced he was ready to RUE ana
said: 'While these two Senator'S are de-
clared to be in Contempt, the Char could
not recognize either if he should rise and
address the Chair; but on motion made
by any Senator that they be heard, the
Chair would recognize the Senator max
ing the notion, and would hold that the
motion was in order In the ordinary
transgression of the rules or violation
of order the Senator violating 1t must
take his chair and he cannot be recoS-
Dized by the presiding officer again until
the Senate has relieved him OF that by
n otion. OF course, the Senators from
South Carolina can be relieved from the
condition in which they are now, SO Tar
as recognition by the Chair is concerned,
by a motion and by a majority vote or
the Senate. WHAT will happen after the
two Senators have purSed themselves, 50
far as it is possible, of the contempt, the
Chair will be. prepared to rule Whell-
ever that question is raised.
At the conclusion of the ruling OF .hr.
Frye, Mr.. Blackburn said: Il move that
the senior Senator from South Carolina
be given the floor
"NNhy one Senator from South Caro-
lina?" interjected Mr.. Spooner.
II move that the two Senators from
South Carolina began Mr.. Blackburn.
That's right" said Mr.. Spooner.
'Be given the floor" continued Mr.
Blackburn, ito make any statement IN
their own way to the Senate to purge
themselves of contempt.
The motion was carried
TII.LAIAN AROSE.
In a GREATNESS silence Mr.. Tillman
arose to address the Senate. rHc was
calm and collected and gave no indica-
ton by his manner Of the tremendous
scene in which .lle had been one of the
principal actors but a short time before.
He spoke evenly, and every one Of the
auditors leaned forward eagerly to catch
his words. Said he:
.fMr President, I have always esteemed
it a high honor and privilege to be a
member Of this body. I had never had
any legislative experience when I came
here, and my previous service as Gov
ernor of South Carolina for four years
had untitled me in a measure to enter
this august assemblage with that dignity
and regard-proper regard I will say
for it's traditions and habits and rules
that is desirable.
Il have been here seven years. I have
in that time learned to judge men with
a little more catholicity of spirit than
I did when I came here. [ have found a
great many people here in whose personal
integrity and honor and regard for their
obligations as gentlemen have implicit
confidence, but I have seen so much OF
partisarship. have seen so much of what
consider slavish submission to party
domination, that l confess I have felt
somewhat at u loss how to judge men
who in one aspect appeared to be SO
high aud clean and honorable and in an
other appeared more or less GespicaEIe.
I say this because of the fact that one
OF the Senators has seen fit to allude to
some matters that occurred in the debate
this afternoon.
HE APOLOGIES
"I now want to say that SO far as
any action of mine has caused any SEN
.,to, hove ar fhe Senate as a lroIv or