The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-28
WILL STOP AT CENSURE.
Probable Punishment to Be Melted
Out to Tillman and McLaurin.

Washington, Feb. 28.-The sub-com-
mittee of the senate committee on priv
ileges and elections which was ap
pointed to formulate appropriate meth
DDS for the punishment of Senators
Tillman and McLaurin Is. Co for their
ofense to the senate of last Saturday,
practically concluded to recommend
that the two senators be severely CEN
sured for their conduct and to limit the
punishment to cenSure. The Sub-com-
mittee consists of Senators Burrows,
Hoar and Foraker, Republicans and
Senators PettuS and Bailey, Democrats.
All were present at the early part of the
meeting, but Senator Bailey was COM
PEELED by indisposition to leave the con-
ference before its close.
The meeting was a very harmonious
one and little difference of opinion de-
yeloped. The Republican members of
the subcommittee did not themselves
contend for a resolution suspending the
two senators, but represented that there
were some Republican members of the
full committee who adhere to the opin-
ion that through suspension only can
adequate punishment, be melted out to
the offending members. Senator Bev-
eridge is understood to be among the
most strenuous advocates of this form
of proceeding, and Senator McCOmaS IS
inclined to agree with him. Some doubt
is expressed as to whether they will
unite in a report limiting the punish
ment to cenSure.
On the other hand some of the Demo
cratic members made it very plain they
would not agree in committee to the re-
porting OF a resolution OF suspension, but
that if such a resolution should be pre-
scented to the senate by a majority of the
committee they would resist its adop-
ton by the senate to the extent of in
sisting upon prolonged debate. The Re-
pubncan members OF the committee and
also many Republican senators who are
not members of the COMMITTEES have given
very serious attention to this possibility
of delay in the senate and there is no
ec nh az ~ ds Is IF & ru 1
recognize the fact that If so disposed the
minority can obstruct all legislation for an
indefinite time and probably continue the
present session of congress far into the
summer sum Some of them also hold the view
form of punishment than suspension
Republican members of the subcommittee
to agree to a resolution of cenSure, and
but to secure the assent of their Republ-
can colleagues who are not members of
the subcommittee.
There has been much discussion of the
matter of differentiation of the punish
ment of the two senators, some of the Re
for a more severe rebuke to senator Till
man than to Senator McLaurin, because
they hold that his OffenSe of striking a
fellow senator was greater than that of
the blow, but this course has been prac-
tically abandoned SO far as the subcom-
ednaIiy reprimanded. 1t also has been Mii vir e
tually decided that apology shall be
e3XaGted from the senators the reason LOT
being found in the fact that senators gen
orally Tear Such enforced apologies might
not amount to apologies after all.
The Democratic members of the COM
rnittee have suggested that the censure
should be in very severe language. and, If
anything, have been inclined to be more
caustic than their Republican collea CUES.
1t is the desire of all the members of the
committee to find a course of action that
will be acceptable to the entire senate
and the only difficulty now appears to be
TO secure the consent of those Republicans
who believe the occasion calls for more
than mere words of rebuke. The resolu-
ton will impose on the president of the
senate the task of administering the rep
rim