Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-23

tional scenes ever witnessed In the his
tory of the United States senate.
Pale to the lips and trembling with the
emotion which in vain he endeevorsd to
control, Mr.. McLaurin Of South Carolina
arose and addressed the senate. speaking
to = question Of personal privilege.
Instantly a hush fell over the senate and
over the people in the thronged galleries.
The very atmosphere seemed charged with
excitement. With breathlese interest the
auditors. both on the floor and in the gal
l~eries. hung on every word uttered by the
South Carolina senator.
Despite the emotion under which the
senator was laboring. Mr.. McLaurin seemed
the calmest man In the senate. He spoke
with elaboration and his enunciation was
clear and distinct. Every word he uttered
seemed to be felt as well as heard In the
remotest part Of the historic old hail.
McLaurin Begins His Reply.
"Mr. President" he began, ct rise to q
question Of personal privilege" He had
voiced less than a dozen words, yet the
excitement by this time had become intense.
All seemed to realize that a portentous
event was about to happen. Senator Scott
Of West Virginia moved restlessly about IN
the rear Of the chamber and Assistant Ser
geant at Arms B. w. Layton arose from his
seat as If to listen the better to what was
about to be said.
During my absence" continued Mr.. Nc
Laurin. "a few moments ago from the
senate chamber in attendance upon the COM
mittee on Indian affairs, the senator who
has Just taken his seat (Mr. Tillman) said
that improper influences had been used In
changing the vote Of somebody on that
treaty, and then went on later and said that
1t applied to the senator from South Caro-
lima who had been given the patronage in
that state. I think I get the sense Of the
controversy"
Hurls Incisive Charge.
still controlling himself with an effort,
but still speaking very calmly a with a
said. and his words cut through the senate
chamber like q knifsk ii
II desire to state. Mr.. President-I would
not use as strong language as / intend a
l not soon after the senate met replied to
these insinuations and said that they were
untrue.
II now say" continued Mr.. McLaurIn,
with distinct emphasis upon every word,
aad half turning toward lis colleague CMr.
Tillman), who sat in the same rnw only
three seats away. that the statement is a
s~g.i,fui, malicious and deliberate lie."
Mr.. MeLaurin got no further with his
statement.
Mr.. Tillman, who was occupying his reg
ular seat Of the main aisle, sprang with
tigsr-like ferocity at his colleague. Mr..
Teller Of Colorado. who was sitting at his
desk between the two South Carolina senas
tors, was swept aside without ceremony
Indeed, the infuriated Tillmsu climbed over
i him IN htS aNoRt 60 Raaah MAJ a.wlu
TiIlman and McLaurin Mix Up.
without the slightest hesitation Mr.. Nc
Laurin sprang to meet the attack half way.
Mr.. Tillman aimed a wild blow at his col
league with his right fist. 1t landed upon
Mr.. McLaurin's forehead Just above the left
eye, although its force was partially spent
on McLaurin's arm. which he had raised in
effort to parry the blow.
Instantly McLaurin's right arm shot out,
the blow landing upon Tillman's face, APP
p~arently upon the nose. Again TIiiman
struck out frantically, his time with his
left hand The blow did not land upon Nc
Laurin. Then followed a Wild scrimmage,
with both senators clutching at each other
madly. Senators Warren and Scott, both
OF whom are powerful men, rushed toward
the combatants TO separate them.
Assistant Sergeant at Arms Layton sprane
over desks In his effort to reach the bellig-
erent senators.
strikes Sergeant at Arms.
Just as he seized MoLaurin Tillmar
aimed a left-handed blow at his colleague
which struck Mr.. Layton in the face. For
tunately the blow was ~glancing and did NJ
special harm. Mr.. Layton tore then
apart.
Both senators still were striking Wildly
at each other, some Of the blows land.
ing upon Mr.. Layton.
An instant later the angry senators
we're pinioned in the arms Of SENATOR
Scott and Warren.
They were dragged further apart. al