The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-03-01
A VOTE OF CENSURE
SENATE ADOPTS THE MAJORITY
RESOLUTION.
TWO M'LAURINs DID NOT VOTE
TILLMAN MADE THE SENATE
GASP.


Offenders Let Down Rather Easily
and Restored to Their Rights--Re-
publican Minority Wanted Penal
ties Made More Severe, Especially
For TiIIman.
Washington. Feb. 2S.-Senators Nc
Laurin and Tillman of South Carolina
to-day were severely censured by the
United States Senate. The admins
tration of the censure grew out of the
sensational personal encounter be-
tween the two senators on the floor
of the Senate last Saturday during
the consideration of the Philippine
tariff bill. The adoption of the resolu-
ton of censure probably closes the in
cident, so far as official action of the
Senate is concerned.
Immediately after the Senate con-
vened to-day Mr.. Burrows, chairman
of the Committee on Privileges and
Elections, to which the McLaurin-Till
man controversy had been referred, re-
ported the resolution of censure framed
by a majority of the committee. Ac-
NOIll pdIly lllS Tic ItSOlullOn was Il re-
port narrating the events which led up
to the fight between the two senators
and setting out the conclusions of the
majority.
A brief statement was presented by
Senators Bailey Blackburn, Pettus,
Foster and Dubois, Democratic mem
bers of the Committee, dissenting from
some of the conclusions of the MAORI
ty. They agreed, however, to the reso-
luton offered.
minority report was presented by
Senators McCOmas, Beverage and
Pritchard, Republicans, who maintain
ed that the adoption of a resolution of
censure was not sufficient punishment.
There was practically no debate on
the resolution, although MIR. Gallinger
and Mr.. Plat, Connecticut, made it
evident in brief statements that the
resolution was not quite satisfactory
to them. The resolution was adopted
by a vote of 81 to II.
TilIman Announces His Code.
When Mr.. Tillmans name was call
ed he added a new sensation to the
proceedings by rising and saying with
ill-concealed emotion:
Among gentlemen an apology for an
offense committed under heat of blood
is usually considered sufficient"
At the request of Mr.. Burrows the
statement of Mr.. Tillman was read by
the clerk Instantly the South Caro-
lima senator disclaimed any intention
of being offensive to the Senate and
said that If they were to considered he
would withdraw them. The chair (Mr.
Frye said that by unanimous consent
they might be withdrawn, but Mr..
Dietrich of Nebraska objected. The
incident was closed without further
comment.
When the Senate was called to order
to-day a notably large attendance Of
senators was on the floor and the gal
leries were thronged. Both Senators
McLaurin and Tillman of South Caro-
lima were in their seats. Great inter-
est was manifested by senators on the
floor and by spectators in the galleries
in the reading of the journal, which
contained the protest of Senator Till
man against not being permitted 20
vote while under the ban of the Sem
ate's order of contempt.
The Resolution of CeBsure.
Mr.. Burrows of Michigan chairman
of the Committee on Privileges and
Elections, presented the following res
olution. which had been formulated by
that committee:
THAT it is the judgment of the SEN
ate that the senators from South Car
DINA, Benjamin r. Tillman and John
L. McLaurin, for disorderly behavior
and fragrant violation of the rules of
the Senate during the open session of
the Senate on the 22d day of February,
instant deserve the censure of the Sem
ate and they are hereby so censured
hrna0h of fhp Y1rixY{Ip0nc
dignity of this body; and from and af-
ter the adoption Of this resolution the
order adjudging them in contempt OF
the Senate shall be no longer in force
and effect"
Mr.. Burrows presented the report Of
the majority of the committee, which
was read. The report recited the his
tory of the alteration in the Senate
and quoted the language then used by
the offenders All agreed to this state
ment.
The report then continued as fol-
lows:
1.-THE majority of the committee are
of the opinion that the legal effect of
adjudging these senators in contempt
of the Senate was to suspend their
functions as senators and that such
punishment for disorderly behavior is
clearly within the power of the SEN
ate, but the conclusion they have
reached makes it unnecessary to dis
cuss this question. The offenses COM
mitted by the two senators were not,
in the opinion of a majority of the
committee, of equal gravity.
mr.. McLaurin did not commence
the encounter but only stood in his
place at his desk, where he was speak
ing and resisted the attack that was
made upon him. In other words, his
offense was confined to the use of I'M
parliamentary language, for which he
had Unusual provocation. Nevertheless,
his offense was a viola ton of the rules
of the Senate of so serious a character
that in the opinion of the committee
it should be condemned.
TiIIman's OffenSe More Serious.
an the case of Mr.. Tillman, the
record shows that the alteration wos
commenced by the charge he made
against Mr.. McLaurin. Such a charge
is inexcusable, except in connection
with a resolution to investigate Mr.
Tillman not only made the charges
without any avowal of a purpose to
investigate. but also disclaiming
knowledge of evidence to establish the
offense, and" this he said after the
charge had been specifically and I'M
qualifiedly denied by Mr.. McLaurin.
such a charge, under any circum-
stances, would be resented by any man
worthy to be a senator; but, made as
IL was in this instance, it's offensive
ness was greatly intensified. This fea-
ture Of his offense, coupled with the
fact that ne also commenced the en-
counter by quitting his seat some dis
lance away from Mr.. McLaurin, and,