The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-26
SENATOR'S NAMES RESTORED.
Mr.. Frye Changes His Ruling After Night OF
Reflection
(Hr Associated Pre.s.)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25.-The most i'm
portant development in connection with
the Tiilman- McIaurin episode of last Sat
urday was the act of Senator Frye pres
ident pro TEN of the Senate, i'll ordering
the clerk of the Senate to restore the
names of tho two South Carolina Sena-
tors to the roll.
The order of Senator Frye for the res
toration Of the names to the roll was
issued almost Immediately after the Sen
ate convened to-day, and was the result
of a general conference among the Re-
publican leaders of the Senate. When
asked for an explanation of this order
Senator Frye said
..In nav rulings yesterday l believe that
! was strictly within parliamentary law,
that Senators in contempt are not. ell
titled to recognition either to speak or to
vote and that logically their names
shauld not be called. L still adhere to
that opinion, but DESTROYS of shifting the
responsibility from the Chair to the Sen
ate L have directed the clerk to restore
to the roll the names of the two Senators
from South Carolina.
When asked if the result of this action
would be the recognition of either of the
Senators to either vote or speak, Senator
Frye replied that it would not, and that
was a question which most be decided by
the Senate He declined. however. to
state how the question would be brought
to the attention of the Senate.
WAS UNJUSTIFIED.
inquiry i'll other quarters developed the
fact that there had been Il conference or
the Republican leaders in Senator Ala
rich's committee-room during the Tore
noon, and that tho extent of Senator
Frve's ruling. and especially its far
reaching effect, had been exclusively
discussed, the conclusion being that tho
action of the president pro tenn was pc
r5;ld precedent in the Senate and not
entirely justified. Senator Burrows was
called into the conference, and the de-
tails for carrying out of the plan were
entrusted to him. 1t was decided that
resolution should be formulated provid-
ing for the temporary suspension of the
two Senator's and that this resolution
should be passed upon by the Committee on
Privileges and, Elections and presented
to the Senate as soon as possible after
the converting OF that body tomorrow.
The general opinion Of the Senators
present was that the South Carolina Sem
ators should be punished in some way
and the Senators present We're quite
agreed that suspension would be the
most practical and reasonable form OF
INJECTING this punishment. Five days
was suggested as a reasonable time, and
there was some suggestion that Senator
Tilman should be given a somewhat
longer suspension than his colleague.
The question of time was, however, left
indefinite, the understanding being that
this should be determined by the commit
tee.
Immediately after this conference. SEN
ator Burrows issued Il call for q meeting
of his committee tomorrow morning.
DEMOCRATIC VIEW
rrhe nemocratic Senators also spent the
day in a. general discussion among them
selves of the Situation They were unan'-
nous In their characterization of Senator
Frye's ruling as arbitrary. and announced
their purpose to resist by prolonged de
bate, il necessary, any further efforts to
enforce the ruling. Senator turner, act
ing for Democratic colleagues. prepared
a resolution declaring it to be The sense
of the Senate that the names of Sena-
tors sTillman and McLaurin should be re-
stored to the Senate roll and in addl-
ton asserting that those two Senators
are Certified to vote on all questions
soming before the Senate This reso-
luton may not ba pressed, owing to the
action of the majority.
The adjournment of the Senate for the
day was also decided upon at the fore
rcon conference of the Republican, lead
ers. The announcement of Representa-
tive Crunp's death had reached the Sen
ate yesterday, but was withheld until
to-day. When the Republican Senators
were Informed Of this fact they We're on
" too willing to use the announcement
to secure an adjournment, aud their
Democratic colleagues were Just as will
irg that it should be SO used
The Republican members of the Com
nittee on Privileges and Elections We're
ir:s consultation during the afternoon, but
rome of the Senators present would dis
cuss the proceedings. 1t is learned. in
| a general way, that considerable doubt
| was expressed by some of the members
as to the legality of the suggested plan,
many Senators holding that the suspen-
sion of Senator's, even by the Senate
| itself, would be a subject for criticism.