The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-23
FIST FIGHT IN SENATE.
Washington's Birthday Signaiized py
Ddsgraceful Incident.

washington, Feb. 22.-Washingtoh .
birthday was signalized in the United
States Senate by a fist fight and was the
occasion. of one Of the most sensational
sceres ever enacted in the Senate cham
Der.
The two Senators from South Carolina
were the active participants in the al
fray. Mr.. Tiliman, in the course OF "a
sueech upon the Philippine tar1n DILL
made serious reflections upon the honor
AZ Ms colleague, MIR. McLaurin. In brief'
Z he charged that his vote In support OF the
ratjficafion Of the treaty OF Paris mao
been cast through the exercise OF snprop-
Al, influences. His statement was devei-
eped in a colioquy between him ana Mr.
Spooner' OF Wisconsin. Mr.. Tillman at
first declined to mention names. but wnen
the Wisconsin Senator reminded him that
he owed It to himself, to the Senate and
10 the country to name the man, MT.
Tillman indicated that he referred to his
colleague from South Carolina. Little
imagining that his words were likely TO
be prophetic Mr.. Spooner remarked SEN
tentiousiy: IT will leave the Senator to
fight that out with his colleague.
! Mr. McLaurin was not in the chahoer
at the time, being engaged in committee
work. but he was sent for and appeared
inst as Mr.. Tillman concluded his speech.
pale as ashes, Mr.. McEaurin rose to adj
dress the Senate, speaking to question
Of personal privilege He reviewed Mr..
Tilman's charges briefly and then de-
nouuced the statement made by his coll
league as a wilful, malicious and delib-
crate lie.
TILLMAN STARTS FIGHT.
Scarcely had the portentous words fall
en- from his lips, when Mr.. Tillman. sit
ting a few seats from him. with Mr.. Tel
Ter of Colorado between them, sprang at
him. Mr.. McLaurin. who had half turned
toward Mr.. Tillman. met him half way,
and in an instant the two Senators. hav-
ing swept Mr.. Teller aside, were engaged
IN a rough and tumble fight. Mr.. Nc
I,aurin received a heavy blow on the
forehead. while Mr.. TillTnan got a bad
punch on the nose. which brought the
blood. Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Lay
ton sprang over the desks to reach and
separate the combatants and himself re-
ceived several blows. He got between
them finally and by main strength
wrenched them apart. Senators Warren
(Wyo) and Scott CIV. Va.). 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 Sem
ate and galleries which were thronged
with. people. Everybody was on his
feet Not a word was spoken. Senators
stood about the chambers. for the mo-
ment quite helpless and pale to the lips.
Finally order was restored partially and
in the midst of intense excitement, the
Senate went into executive session.
BOTH IN CONTEMPT.
For two hours the Senate discussed the
event behind closed doors. When the
doors were opened it was made known
that both of the South Carolina Sena-
tors. by unanimous vote, had been de-
clared to be in contempt of the Senate.
They were permitted, by vote of the
Senate, to make apologies to the Senate.
These statements were listened to by
both the Senators and the people in the
galleries with GREATNESS interest
Senator Tiliman left the Capitol when
adjournment was taken for recess and did
not return for. the night session, Senator
McLaurip was in the chamber about s
o'clock, but left early. Neither Senator,
when seen at his home. would make q
statement.
In accord with a long time custom of
Washingtons birthday, the farewell ad-
dress of General Washington was read
In the Senate today Immediately after the
converting of that body at II o'clock. Mr..
burrows Ciich.) read the immortal docu-
ment.
At the conclusion of the reading at
II so Mr. Lodge presented a memorial
from the Massachusetts Legislature in
favor of such an amendment to the con-
stitution as would place it within the
power of Congress to enact laws regard
ing the hours of labor in the various
NO FUNDS NEEDED.
Discussing the Philippine tariff bill he
declared that no revenues were needed
nv the insular government in the Philip
hines as it had ample funds. The sole
inject of the bill was that the Philippine
archipelago should be exploited and be
made to furnish an opportunity to the
few to reap a golden harvest from the
Islands He declared further along with
respect to Cuba that the purpose of the
administration was to give protection to
the Cuban plantations in order to put
-z4!uons of dollars in the pockets Of the