The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-23
Senators So Shocked They Went Into
Secret Session and Declared the
BeIIigerents in Contempt.
BOTH APoLOGIzED LATER
BUT NEITHER HAS BEEN PURGED OF
THE CHARGE OF CONTEMPT.
Day of Dramatic Incfdents-Charge by
TilIman that Provoked McLaurIn
and Led to the. Fight.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 22-washington's
birthday was signalized in the United
States Senate by fist fight. The day set
apart by the Nation to afford the American
people opportunity TO pay fitting tribute
to the memory of the first President was
the occasion of one Of the most sensational
scenes ever enacted in the Senate cham
Der.
The two senators from South Carolina
were the active participants in the affray.
Mr.. Tillman. in the course of a speech upon
the Philippine tariff bill, made serious re-
Elections upon the honor of his colleague
Mr.. McLaurin. In brief, he charged that
his vote in support of the ratification of
the treaty of Paris had been cast through
the exercise of improper influences. His
statement was developed in a colloquy be-
tween him and Mr. Spooner. Of Wisconsin.
Mr. TilIman at first declined to mention
names, but when the Wisconsin senator
reminded him that he owed it to himself
10 the Senate and to the country to name
the man." Mr.. Tnlman indicated that he
referred TO his colleague from South Caro-
lima.
Little imagining that mis- words were like
iy TO be prophetic, Mr.. spooner remarked
sententiously: 81 will leave the senator to
fight it out with his colleague"
Mr.. McLaurin was not in the chamber at
the time. being engaged in committee work.
but he was sent for and appeared just as
Mr.. TiIlman concluded his speech. Pale as
ashes Mr.. McLaurin rose to address the
Senate. speaking to a question Of personal
privilege. He reviewed Mr.. Tillman's
charges briefly and then denounced the
statement made by his colleague as a will
ful. malicious and deliberate lie.
OUGH-AND-TUMBLE FIGHT.
Scarcely had the portentous words fallen
from his lips when Mr.. Tilman. sitting a
few seats from him. with Mr.. Teller, of
Colorado. between them. sprang at him.
Mr. McLaurin who had half turned toward
Mr.. Tillman, met him half way and in an
instant the two senator's. having swept Mr..
Teller aside. were engaged in a rought-and-
tumble fight. Mr.. McLaurin received a
heavy blow on the forehead, while Mr.. Till
man got bad punch on the nose. which
brought blood
Assistant Sergeant-at-arms Layton sprang
over desks to reach and separate the COM
batants and himself received several blows.
He got between them finally and by main
strength wrenched them apart. Senators
Warren of Wyoming. and Scott, OF West
Virginia. two of the most powerful men I'm
the Senate. leaped 20 his assistance and.
pinioning the arms OF the belligerent SEN
ators. forced them into their seats
Intense excitement prevailed in the Sem
ate and galleries which were thronged with
people who had been attracted by the spir-
ited debate. Everybody was on his feet.
Not a word. however, was spoken Sem
ators stood about the chamber, for the mo-
ment quite helpless and pale TO the lips.
Finally order was restored partially and in
the midst of intense excitement the Senate
went into secret executive session.
For two hours the Senate discussed the
event behind closed doors. When the doors
were opened il was made known that both
of the South Carolina senators by unani-
nous vote had been declared to be in con-
tempt of the Senate. They were permitted
by a vote of the Senate to make apologies
TO the Senate Their statements were
listened TO by both the senators and the
people in the galleries with breathless in
terest.
Senator Tillman left the Capitol when ad-
journment was taken for recess and did
not return for the night session. Senator
McI.aurin was in the chamber about s
o'clock. but left early. Neither senator
when seen at his home would make a state
ment
SENATOR FAIRBANKS SPOKE
Senator Fairbanks made the principal
speech in the secret session this afternoon.
The hrst speech was delivered by Senator
Foraker. after which Mr. Fairbanks took
the floor and made such strong arraign-
ment OF the principals that IL created great
surprise. where he has a reputation for
conservatism. The senator insisted that
the affair was unprecedented in the his
tory of the Senate. and that not only was
the dignity of the Senate outraged but that
the American people We're affronted and
he repeated that the Senate could not af-
ford 10 allow the incident 10 pass without
taking some positive action.
The status OF the two warning senators
g. that they are stiII in contempt Of the
Senate and only by vote OF the Senate
can either be recognized either 10 speak or
10 vote any question whatever. The
Senate is operating under "A clause OF Sec
tion 9. Article /. Of the Constitution. which
reeitcs: Each house may determine the
rules OF its proceedings, punish members
FOR disorderly behavior and with the con
currence OF two-thirds. expel member. -
The Senate adopted a resolution declar-
~ both Tillman and McLaSSia in con-