The Saint Paul globe., 1902-02-27
BLOCKS
The SENATE.
THE TTLLMAN-MLAURIN QUARREa1
KEEPS BODY OFF LAWMAKERS
FROM WORK
DEMOCRATS WIN A POINT
Republicans Puzzled in Effort TO
Rectify Mistake in Dropping
Names of BeIlsgerents
From the Roll
CASE SENT TO SUBCOMMITTEE
Special to The Globe.

Special to The Globe.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Feb. 26.-The
situation in the senate resulting from the
Tnlman-McLaurin fight is described by
Senator Cullom, of Illinois, who re-
marked to Tillman today that the SEN
ate had apparently suspended itself in
stead of the two members from South
Carolina. The Republicans now realize
that they made a serious blunder in at
tempting to deprive the two senators of
their right to vote before their cases had
been tried or reported on by committee
Senator Frey, who as speaker pro tenn
pore, took the responsibility of having
their names omitted from the roll call,
has publicly admitted his error His Re
publican colleagues are looking for a
graceful way Of doing the same thing
The Democrats on the committee on
privileges and elections have taken the
stand that the offending senators shall
not be punished by suspension or ex-
pulsion and they have already practical
ly won their point. The Republicans are
now agreeing that their punishment shall
be resolution of censuTe and an apology
from each senator publicly delivered.
Senator Pritehard is contending for
emitting the censure as to McLaurin and
the committee has offered the dispute to
subcommittee composed of Burrows,
Hoar. Foraker, Bailey and Pettus to re-
port Friday morning. On the refusal to
permit the two senators to vote the Re
publicans are already preparing to take
up strategic position to rear. The talk
now is lnat the Philippine bill will be
recalled from the house. The motion will
be made to reconsider the vote and the
speaker will announce that the names of
Tilman and McLaurin were omitted
through mistake and they viii be per-
mitted to register their votes. The
Democrats feel that they have scored a
victory in backing the Republican leaders
off the boards on the constitutional ques-
ton involved in depriving South Carolina
of representation. This victory added
greatly to the prestige of Bailey, Turner
and Dubois, who acted hs leaders of the
opposition.
No Conclusion Reached
The committee on privileges and cleo
tions continued its consideration of the
TiHman-McLaurin episode during the
afternoon, but reached no conclusion be-
yond deciding to refer the entire matter
to a subcommittee and to meet again on
Friday to consider any recomm endation
made by the subcommittee. The after
noon session lasted three hours, and
after the Democratic members took their
departure at o'clock the Republicans
continued the sitting. The meeting of
the full committee was devoted to a gem.
eral exchange of views No vote was
taken on any propositions; indeed, no
proposition was made either by the ma
jority or the minority. There was entire
agreement on the one point that both
the South Carolina senators should be
punished, but there was disagreement on
the details of punishment as well as on
the degree of it.
The senators had before them full re-
ports of the speeches of both the SEN
ators, making careful comparisons of
their language. Each member also was
provided with a copy of the constitution
and of the rules Of the senate and these
as we'll as the established parliamentary
authorities were consulted frequently. A
half dozen different suggestions were
made as to modes Of punishment, includ-
ing suspension and censure by the SEN
ate, and censure with the added require
ment of further apologies from the Of
tenders. There also was a continued
discussion of the relative punishment of
the two men.
Most of the Republican members
of the committee hold that Senator
Tillman should be awarded more Sc
we're form of rebuke than Senator Nc
orally concede that there should be dis
elimination.
Bailey Leads the Democrats.
= Senator Bailey quoted at length from
the speech made by Senator Tillman
which provoked the reeply of Senator
McLaurdn, contending that it did not
make a specific charge of bribery. The
Democrats also held out stiffiy against all
suggestions looking to the suspension Of
the privileges of the senators as an at
tack on the rights Of the state they rep
resent rather than on the senators them
selves.
When the committee adjourned its
members professed to be hopeful that an
unanimous agreement would De reached,
but they were not SO hopeful as they
had been when the noon recess was
taken. The proceedings were no. of a
character to permit definite conclusion
as to what the result would be, but they
indicated censure as the form Of punish
ment most likely to he recommended.
Some Of the Republicans, however. are
holding cut for more pronounced re-
buke to Senator Tillman than could be
given in a verbal reprimand.
The subcommittee appointed is COM
posed of Senators Burrows. Hoar, and
Foraker, Republicans, and Senator Pet
tus and Bailey, Democrats. This sub
committee will meet tomorrow afternoon.