New-York tribune., 1902-07-16
BAILEY NAY BE CENSURED.
THE SENATE NOT LIKELY TO IGNORE
THE ATTACK on MR.. BEyERIDGE.
[BY TELEGRAPH 70 TIE rR1puNE.l


Washington. July Ex-senator Burrows of
Michigan, chairman Of the Committee on Privi-
leges and Elections, seems determined that the
assault made by Senator Bailey, Of Texas.
Senator Beveridge, Of Indiana. shall be dealt
with by the Senate when Congress reassembles
next December. Mr.. Burrows. who passed
through Washington to-day on the way to his
home. in Michigan. for the summer, intimated
pointedly that he intends TO bring the Bailey
Beveridge affair before the Senate early in De-
cember and insist that the subject be referred to
his committee for consideration. 1t is an inter-
esting circumstance that both Messrs. Beveridge
and Bailey are members of this committee but
Of course, they would not be permitted to take
part in any consideration which might be given
to the affair by the committee.
1T seems to me-" said Senator Burrows to a
representative of The Tribune, that the Senate
ought not to permit this incident to pass with
out notice. II n Senator who chooses TO take
offence at what another Senator may say in
debate has only to wait until the body has ad-
journed to take satisfaction by assaulting him,
knowing that he will be free from officially ex-
pressed censure or punishment. II amounts 10
nothing short Of striking at the very root OF
freedom Of expression In the Senate. There
are certain constitutional guarantees OF free
dom OF speech in the Senate. and IL seems TO me
that the Senate can do nothing less than TO in
Vesugate through the proper committee the
question OF whether the assault on a Senator
by another for words spoken in debate is not
only serious violation Of the rules of the SEN
ate. but also grave infraction of a much
higher law. We can remember the day when
Senators We're held individually responsible on
the street or the field of honor for words spoken
in debate, and know full well what would be
the result of the revival Of that custom. While
he W. ell 10 Ia he
incident as an indication OF a tendency GER
tainly do not think the Senate can afford to
ignore it,"
What Mr.. Burrows has here said accords with
the views expressed by nearly every Senator on
both sides of the chamber the day after Mr.
Bailey assaulted Mr. Beveridge but as adiourn
ment was then only two days off it was decided
to let the incident pass for the moment Demo-
Gratis as We'll as Republicans appear 10 he
pretty generally agreed that the Senate has the
power 10 adopt rules specifically governing such
an unexpected outbreak of ruffianism as Mr.
Baileys attack Mr. Beveridge and II Is held
a corollary to this proposition that the Sen
ate now has the power of censure, which is an
essential part of its disciplinary character con-
terTed by the constitution. II the rule pro
posed py MI Burrows is adopted, the Senate
OF course would have the power OF expulsion by
a two-thirds vote for a violation of the rule
1t is therefore probable that on the initiative
of Mr.. Burrows the Senate will officially have It's
attention called early in the next session 10
the Baiiey-Beveridge affair, and that the whole
case VIII be fully investigated by the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections which in is
thought will make report that will contain a
severe Censure OF the young Senator from
IeXas IL ls' OF course. probable that Mr. Bailey
Will protest vigorously against the adoption OF
the report, which perhaps will provoke a bitter
nght. similar TO that which ensued when the
Senate attempted To suspend Mr. TiIlman for
committing a violent assault his colleague
Mr.. McLaurin, on the floor of the Senate while
the BODY was IN session Some Texans in Wash
ington believe that ii the Senate should adont
a report of censure against Mr. Bailey he would
resign and appeal TO his constituents for vim
dication. If they should re-elect him. II Is sug
gested as an interesting possibility that the
Senate in the exercise of its constitutional pre-
rogative Of judging OF the qualifications of its
members, might refuse to admit Mr. BAILEY
This would raise one Of the most Important
questions with which the Senate has ever had
to DEAL and might lead to a complete revision
of the character and the powers of that body
1t can he seen therefore. that the Bailey Rev
eridge affair. instead of being settled as has So
often been stated, may develop into serious
subject and give rise at the next session 10 a
debate and action of far-reaching Importance