The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-02-25
BULLY OF SENATE
Ex-senator Washburn Says Tillman
Should Be Expelled
AND MR.. McLAURIN cENsURED
Those Who Know the Senator's Say
There Will Be Further
Trouble.

The fist fight between Senators McLau-
rim and Tillman, OF South Carolina, in the
senate Saturday is the first incident OF Its
kind. But once before has the dignity of
the senate chamber been violated by a
personal encounter. This happened after
the senate HAD adjourned and in the old
chamber-the room now used by the SUI
preme court. The attack was unpro-
voked and unexpected. Moreover, the ag-
gressor was also South Carolinian,
Representative Preston S. Brooks, VINO
walked UP behind Senator Sumner while
the Massachusetts senator was at his
desk writing letter, and struck him over
the head with a heavy walking stick. The
blow was delivered with all the strength
Of which the southerner was capable, ana
for time Summers life was in danger.
He never fully recovered.
Former United States Senator W.. D.
Washburn was in Washington at the time
of the assault: and had been in the SEN
ate during the debate between Sumner and
Douglas, which provoked it. That de-
bate was one of the famous forensic con-
tests Of the senate, and the language on
both sides was frequently unparltament-
airy. However. the lie was not passed;
and had it not been for Brooks action,
the incident would probably have ended.
In speaking of the McLaurin- Tillman
encounter, this morning, Senator WASH
burn expressed al opinion that the sem
ate ought to expel Tillman and censure
McLaurin. Said he:
Senator McI.aurin's language was not par
liamentary; but he had great provocat1cn
Tillman accused his colleague OF selling his
vote in return for federal patronage. The ac-
cusation was an ugly one and should never
bave been made, unless it could be proved
OF course, Tillman could not prove 1t; and
McLaurin's retort, under the circumstances
co1, ha /
senate l should vote to expel >Tlllman ana
to censure McLaurin. However, l suppose
Tillman would at once be reelected, and II
that case the senate would have to consider
the matter de novo, and permit him to re-
sumo his seat. ...-.
There is no parallel between this case
and that of Sumner and Brooks. BROOKS
was not a member OF the senate ana tns
senate was not in session at the time OF the
assault. That was bad enough, but the pres
ent occurrence is vastly worse. The senate
should act, and should act decisively.
Tillman should be punished not alone ~
his personal attack upon McLaur1n Dut lo'
other actions as we'll He is the bully OF TIT
upper house and has offended against par
liamentAry rules more than once Ills tactl"
lave passed beyond the nuisance stage; am
have now brought public disgrace upon ina
branch of government he dishonors by MI
presence. -
Men in Minneapolis who know the tenn
ner If the two senators from South Caro-
lima do not hesitate to say that the incl
dent is not ended and that 1t can be con
sidered closed only with the death OF on,
or both Of the combatants. Even tnoug1
the code duello is not recognized IN IN
United States, the prediction IS 1reel;
n,ada that McLaurin and Tillman will
seek a way of settling their difficulties
and that the settlement will provide on
Of the, sensational episodes of America
| history. .,.. 81.