Evening star., 1902-02-24
The Senate Must Act.

The Senate must surely do something tr
this latest emergency to maintain and pro-
tect it's dignity II it is to retain national
respect. The episode of Saturday was so
disgraceful as to warrant the severest
penalties When analyzed 1t discloses
three distinct stages: First. Senator Till
mans charge that a fellow senator had
accepted bribe In the shape of patronage
from President Mckinley as the price OF
his vote on the treaty Of peace: second,
Senator McLaurin's denial Of this charge
in language which is generally conceived to
be prohibited by the unwritten laws of
parliamentary usage: third. Senator Till
mans savage physical assault upon his
colleague, which the latter met in self
defense.
Without regard to the personalities of the
two men. it cannot be denied that the last
item Of this disgraceful progression of
events was the most nagrant ofrense
against the Senate and the country at large.
AS to the first stage, Senator Tillman's
charge Of bribery. that belongs to another
line Of inquiry. and must be considered and
answered at greater length than is neces-
sary in the present adjustment of the i'm
mediate issues growing out Of the assault.
AS to Senator McLaurin's language in de-
NAL there may be two opinions Point
blank refutation Of assertions is common
in congressional debates. A week seldom
passes when the declarations Of speakers
are not fatty contradicted. Usually, how
ever, the language employed is more or less
euphemistic 1t must be remembered that
the Senate of the United States is not the
state of South Carolina. or public street
OF Washington Whereas outside Of Its
walls a principle prevails generally among
men that the passing of the lie Is tanta-
mount to blow, such a principle cannot be
extended to excuse physical violence in the
chambers Conduct permissible, or ex-
cusable under ordinary circumstances is
reprehensible in the course of debate, In
the solemn processes of legislation for the
country. The mere fact that Senator Nc
Laurin did not see fit to employ synonym
in his denial, that he chose to use the most
specific and direct language possible. did
not warrant the invoking Of the privilege
which some men claim and some concede of
instant retaliation by physical force. Sen
ator McLaurins words and blows were
both delivered in self-defense. With the
one he met In denial a foul and offensive
charge; with the other he resisted a phys
ical assault.
So line Of distinction must be drawn be-
tween the two cases. The Senate pending
further action. has properly adjudged both
men to be in contempt, thereby preventing
further disturbances within the Legislative
halls for the present and securing a truce
which will permit calm judgment. 1t is
confronted with serious duty in dealing
with Senator Tillman. If it pailiates this
assault upon it's dignity by a mild rebuke
or a technical punishment it invites future
disorder and disgraceful consequences. 1t
weakens its prestige and lessons its public
usefulness. BY boorish and insulting Ian
guage Mr.. Tillman has many times brought
discredit upon the Senate; and to violence
provoking words he now adds blows.
Whatever the Judgment of the Senate
may be, 1t should be and presumably will
be SO declared to permit no misunder-
standing. Debate in Congress must be pre-
served upon plane Of substantial respect
for the traditions, and for the present re-
sponsbilities Of the national legislature.
Cnparliamentary language and fist-ights
must be proportionately punished unless the
country is to henceforth regard Congress
with utter contempt.