The age-herald., 1902-02-27
After Long Discussion of TI|I- man-McLaurin Affair Ad-
 iourn Without Action
QUESTION WHO DESERVES
 THE GREATER PUNISHMENT
Republicans Want TiIIman Given More Severe censure, While Democrats Think DifferentIy-Idea of Sus-
 pension Has Been Abandoned.

Washington, February 26-The meeting of the Senate committee on privileges and elections this forenoon did not result in supplying any solution to the difficulty than the Senate is in in connection with the Tillman-McLaurin matter. The Re- publican members of the committee frankly confessed that they had not been able to formulate a scheme which would relieve the situation, and after less than an hours discussion they asked that the committee adjourn until o'clock this af- ternoon, the understanding being that the Senate should adjourn after a brief session and thus give the committee an opportunity to fully discuss this ques- tion, which most Senators look upon in it's present shape as stumbling block in the way of all other legislation
 The meeting of the committee was marked by the best of feeling on the part of all members and all agreed readily to a preliminary suggestion by Chairman Burrows that the question should be+ap- preached from purely non-partisan standpoint because of it's general import ance
 Democrats On Guard.
 
 Democrats were inclined to apprehend some effort at some political advantage on account of the Republicans and the channel through which they expected this manifestation soon became evident. Sem l ator Foraker made the suggestion that fthere should be a severer degree if prn+ | ishment meted out to MT. Tillman than to Senator McLaurin. MT Dubois met this suggestion with a positive negative and when the suggestion was afterwards made that Senator Tillman should be called upon to prove before the commit tee that the charge which he had repeat | ed in the Senate that his colleague had yielded to undue influence, there was a hint that if this matter should be en- tered upon some Senators would insist upon the reopening of the charges on file in the committee in connection with the election of othef Senators. which charges have never been disposed of.
 Would Not Agree to Suspension.
 During the morning meeting of tho committee Senator Bailey notified the Re- publican members that the Democrats wt uld not submit to the sdoptioa of a resolution suspending the South Carolina senators. He said they agreed that they should be punished for their breach of trust in the presence of the Senate but he was satisfied that the Democrats would not submit to any proceeding which would deprive a state O. represen- tation. Some of the Republican members of the committee replied thnt they agreed as to the unwisdom and complex ity of preceding by way of suspepsiea.
 The committee continued it's cnnsidera- ton of the Tilman-Mc Lalrin episode during the afternoon but reached no conclusion beyond decision to refer the entire matter to a subcommittee and to meet again on Friday to consider any reeomnt dation made l'y q sl..@ c ,i- nutte,. i'he afternoon SC ssion lasted tn ec h n;rs and after the D 'nCccs-ic naIn- n.rs tock their departurs at o'clock the Repul Iieans continued the sitting.
 In inc full committee there was entire acreen,ert on one pom. that both .se s ,G;t Cs, olina senators-slia id be pu' lsnci. hut there was disagream Tt cn the detaiis of punishment IS to what the .g.cc should be. Senators had hcf'1e th..r full reports of the speech of both the s,raiors making careful comparison : of their language.
 Point of Difference. Most of the Republican members of the committee hold that Senator Tillman | should be awarded more severe form of rebuke than to Senator McLaurin. while the Democrats do not generally | concede there should be discrimination.
 
 | the speech of Senator Tillman. which provoked the reply of Senator McLaurin, contending that 1t did not make a speci- fc charge of bribery. The Democrats also held out stiffly against all sugges- tions looking to the suspension of the privileges of the senators as an attack on the rights of the state they represent rather than on the senators themselves.
 The proceedings indicated censure as the form of punishment most likely to be recommended. Some of the Republicans, however, are holding out for more pronounced rebuke to Senator Tillman than could be given in any verbal repri- mand.
 The subcommittee Is composed of Senators Burrows, Hoar and Foraker. Republicans, and Senators Bacon and Bailey Democrats. This subcommittee will meet tomorrow afternoon and make an effort to frame resolution for the action of the full committee, which will meet again at 10 clock Friday.