Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1902-02-27
Number4i
Hrs
FIST FIGHT IN SENATE
Tillman and McLaurin Engage in
Disgraoeful Brawl.
sTAID sENAroRswERe SHOCKED

Tillman's insinuatine Remarks Precip.
itated Rough and Tumble Fist
Fight, In Which He Received
Bloody Nose-Were Torn Apart.
Washington, Feb. pa fist fight
between two senators on the floor of
the United States senate while that
body was in open session marked
the close of bitter speech on the
Philippine question by Senator Till
man., OF South Carolina, Saturday af
ternoon. For nearly three hours the
South Carolina senator occupied the
tion from his picturesque viewpoint.
His remarks were interlarded with
frequent spicy exchanges with other
senators, in the course of one of which
he made some insinuations that a
senator had been Influenced by inn
proper considerations in his vote on
the treaty of Paris.
His statement was developed in q
colloquy between him and Mf. Spoon
er of Wisconsin. Mr.. Tillman at first
declined to mention names, but when
that he owed 1t to himself, to the
senate and to the country, to name
the man." Mr.. Tillman indicated that
he referred to his colleague from South
Carolina ''s -
Little imagining that his words were
likely to be prophetic, Mr.. Spooner re-
marked sententiously: Il will leave
the senator to fight that out with his
colleague"
Mr.. McLaurin was not in the cham
Der at the time being engaged in
committee work, hut he was sent for,
and appeared just as Mr.. Tillman
concluded his speech Pale as ashes
Mr.. McLaurin rose to address the
senate, speaking to question of privi
lege. He reviewed Mr. Tillman's
charges briefly. and then denounced
the statement made by his colleague
as ''wilful. malicious and deliberate
lie"
Scarcely had the portentious words
fallen from his lips when Mr.. Tillman,
sitting a few seats from him with
Mr.. Teller. of Colorado, between them.
sprang at them. Mr. McIaurin. who
met him half way, and in An instant
the two senators. having swept Mr..
Teller aside, were engaged in rough
and tumble fist fight Mr. McLaurin
received heavy blow on the fore
head, while Mr.. Tillman got a bad
punch on the nose, which brought
blood. Assistant Sergeant-at arms
Layton sprang over desks to reach and
separate the combatants, and himself
received several blows. He got be.
tween them finally and by main
strength wrenched them apart
Senators Warren, of wyoming, and
Scott, of West Virginia. two of the
most powerful men in the senate,
leaped to his assistance, and pinioning
the arms of the belligerent senators,
forced them into their seats. --
Intense excitement prevailed in the
senate and the galleries, which were
thronged with people who had been
attracted by the spirited debate.
Everybody was on his feet Not a
word, however. was spoken. Senator'S
stood about the chamber, for the mo-
ment quite helpless. and pale to the
lips. Finally order was restored par
TALLY, and in the midst of intense ex-
citement the senate went into execu
tive session. For two hours the SEN
ate discussed the event behind closed
doors. When the doors were reopened
It was made known that both of the
South Carolina senators by unanimous
vote had been declared to be In con.
tempt of the senate, They were per-
mitted by vote of the senate to make
apologies to the senate The state
ments were listened to by both the
senator's and the people in the CALLER
les with breathless Interest.
Senator Tillman left the capital
when adjournment was taken for re-
cess, and did not return for the night
session. Senator Mcl.aurin was in
the chamber about s o'clock. but left
early. Neither senator, when seen at
his home, would make q statement.
There have been number Of con-
ferences among senators as TO what
should be done to preserve the digni-
'ty Of the senate and to manifest it's
sentiment with reference to the two
senators who violated it's traditions.
While no plan of procedure has been
agreed upon it is learned that there
will be very deliberate action. and
it is said to be more than likely that
it will be no less than thirty days be-
fore the South Carolina senators are
restored to their full powers as sena-
tors, this deliberation on their case
being in the nature Of a punishment.
since they will not be allowed to ad-
dress the senate or vote until no longer
in contempt of the senate.
Endowment For Allegheny College.
Cleveland, Feb. 24.--F. A. Arter. OF
his city, has given Allegheny Col
'ege. at Meadville, Pa. 360.000 to
complete a fund Of 100000 for en-.