The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-02-27

bill There was large crowd in attend
ance to hear him, and during the
course OF his speech he became involv-
ed in spirited colloquy with Senator
Tillman as to the part William Jcn
nings Bryan played in securing the rat
ification of the peace treaty with Spain.
by which the Philippine Islands came
into the possession of the UniteG
States.
Senator Tillman, with characteristic
vim and brutal frankness. declared that
the ratification Of the Spanish treaty
had been secured by the vote of q
disposal Of Federal patronage in GER
tain State. Senator Spconer interrogat-
ed Senator Tillman 50 closely that the
latter was forced to admit that the sub
sidized Senator was his own colleague
from South Carolina. Senator Spooncr
replied that he would leave the matter
to be settled with the junior Senator
from South Carolina.
1t was supposed that the incident
was closed. in view Of the fact that
Senator Tillman had repeatedly chars-
ed his colleague with selling his vote
for the treaty in consideration for Fed
eral patronage in South Carolina. Du-
ring the colloquy between Senator'S
Tillman and Spconer Senator McLau-
rim was absent from the chamber, at
tending a meeting Of the committee on
Indian affairs. He was notified that ne
was being attacked in the Senate by
his colleague, so he hurried back to the
chamber. He sent for a copy Of the
notes CT the official reporter, giving the
exact language of Senator Tillman.
After reading the notes carefully Sena-
tor McLaurin was recognized and ad-
DIRE ssing the Senate, denounced the sit
uation Of Senator Tillman as "a will
full. deliberate and malicious lie
The assault came when the fnal
word lie" was spoken by Mr.. McLau-
rim. Tillman sprang up like flash.
jumped over the chair between him and
his colleague. and before he could be
stopped dealt him severe blow on the
forehead which raised large red @e!t.
McLaurin warded off the blow, which
was Intended fer his eye, and retalia!ed
with . fierce upper-cut, landing ON
Tillman's jaw. The two men clinched,
but before any more blows were eX-
changed Senator Warren, Of wyoming,
Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Layton,
Senator Tillman's son, who was pres
ent. and several other persons. sepa-
rated the belligerants.
The encounter only occupied few
secons, but it was fierce and desperate
while it lasted The greatest excitement
prevailed in the Senate and the occu-
pants OF the galleries arose from their
seats, apparently anticipating a free
fight all around on the floor below.
Senator Teller, who sits next to Sen
ator Tillman, arose and cal!ei the two
Senators to order as soon as lie could
recover from the shock which Senate
rial dignity and decorum had sustained
Senator Foraker and other Senator'S
were on their feet at the same time, de-
claring that the dignity Of the Senate
had been outraged by the unprecedeEt-
ed performance Of the two Senator'S
from South Carolina, and moved that
the Senate proceed to executive session.
The galleries were cleared, the doors
locked and for more than two hours the
two Senators from South Carolina we're
subjected to severe censure by theu
colleagues. Democrats and Republicans
for the dissraceful encounter in open
Senate At the conclusion Of the debate
in which neither Senator Tlllman nGr
Senator McLaurin was permitted to
participate, motion to declare the two
Senator's in contempt was unanimously
adopted. A further motion was adopted
to refer the case to the committee on
privileges and elections for such action
as the circumstances justify.
1t was half-past o'clock when the
executive session concluded and the
Senate resumed business in open ses-
sion. Senator Tillman sat quietly at his
desk, surrounded by three or four SEN
ators. with a smile Of defiance on his
face. A short distance away sat Sena-
tor McLaurin, cool and collected, in
conversation with Senator Bacon, OF
Georgia, and Patterson, of Colorado.
Senator Blackburn, acting as media
tor between the two Senators, urged
that Tillman be allowed to apologize
for his unseemIy conduct. There was
parliamentary squabble as to whether.
under the rules of the Senate, Senators
in contempt were allowed to be heard
in their own behalf Senator Teller said
that both Senators had indicted p de-
sire to make amends, and the Chair
ruled that by unanimous consent both
Senators might be heard.
Senator Tillman took the floor first
and apologized for losing his temper
and offending the dignity OF the Senate
He remarked sarcastically. that his en-