Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-02-26
TlLLhAN AND asslAualn rlaaT.
Both Give and Receive Hard Blows DIS.
graceful Scene In The Senate.


the first President was the occasion Of
one OF the most sensational scenes ever
enacted in the Senate chamber.
The two Senators from South Carolina
were the active participants in the affray.
Mr.. Tillman, in the course of a speech
upon the Philippine tariff, made serious
! reflections upon the honor of his col-
league, Mr.. McLaurin. In brief, he
charged that McLaurin's vote In support
of the ratification of the treaty of Paris
bad been cast through the air of inn
proper influences,
His statement was developed In a
colloquy between him and MIR. Spooner.
! of Wisconsin. Mr.. Tillman at first de.
clined to mention names, but when the
Wisconsin Senator reminded him that
he owed it TO himself, to the Senate and
to the country ITO name the man." Mr..
Tillman Indicated that he referred to
hi" colleague from South Carolina. Lit
tie imagining that his words were likely
to be prophetic, Mr.. Spooner remarked,
| sententiousy: Il will leave the Senator
to fight that out with his colleague"
Mr.. McLaurin was not in the chamber
at the time, being engaged in committee
work; but he was sent for and appeared
just as Mr. Tillman concluded his
speech.
Pale as ashes, Mr.. McLaurin rose 10
address the Senate, speaking to ques-
ton of personal privilege. He reviewed
Mr.. Iillman's charges briefly and then
denounced the statement made by his
colleague as "a wilful, malicious and de-
liberate lie."
| Scarcely had the words fallen from his
lips when Mr.. Tillman, sitting few
seats from him, with Mr.. Teller, of Colo
RADIO, between them, sprang at him.
Mr.. McLaurin, who had half turned to-
wards Mr.. Tillman, met him half way,
and in an instant the two Senators, hav-
ing swept Mr.. Teller aside, were engaged
in rough and tumble fist fight. Mr..
McLaurin received a heavy blow on the
forehead, while Mr.. Tillman got bad
punch on the nose, which brought blood.
Assistant Sergeant-at-A Arms Layton
sprang over desks to reach and separate
the combatants, and himself received
several blows. He got between thom
finally and by main strength wrenched
them apart. Senators Warren, of wv
oming, and Scott, of West Virginia, 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
Senate and in the galleries, which were
thronged with people who had been at
tracted by the spirited debate. Every
body was on his feet. Not a word, how
ever, was spoken. Senators stood about
the chamber, for the moment quite help
less and pale to the lips. Finally order
was restored partially, aud in the midst
of intense excitement the Senate went
into secret legislative session.
For two hours the Senate discussed the
event behind closed doors. When the
doors were reopened it was made known
that both Of the South Carolina Senators,
by unanimous vote, had been declared to
be in contempt of the Senate. They were
permitted to make apologies to the Sem
ate. The statements wee listened to by
the members of the Senate and the peo-
pie in the galleries with brea thless in
terest. Senator Tillman left the capitol
when adjournment was taken for recess
and did not return for the night session.
Senator McLaurin was in the chamber
about o'clock, but left early. Neither
Senator, when seen at his home, would
make statement.
Thirty Days for Each.
| Washington, February 23.-rhe topic
day, and In fact everywhere in official
Washington, was the fight in the Senate
yesterday between Senators Tillmau and
McLaurin. of South Carolina. There
have been number of conferences
among Senator's as to what should be done
to preserve the dignity of the Senate and
to manifest its sentiment toward tho two
Senators who violated its traditions.
While no plan of procedure has been
agreed upon, it is learned that there will
be very deliberate action, and it is said
to be more than likely that it will be not
less than thirty days before the South
Carolina Senators are restored to their
full powers as Senators. This delibera-
tion on their case being in the nature of
punishment they will not be allowed to
address the Senate, or vote, until no
longer in ontempt of the Senate. Sena-
tor Burrows is chairman of the commit
teo on privliosos and oieottiouus, and to-
night said that in advance of any meet
ing of the committees he cannot say what
will be done, but added that the matter
is of such serious import that it must re-
ceive careful consideration. 1t will be a
day or two before the committee meets
to take up the resolution referred to it
by the Senate.
TiIIman's Invitation Withdrawn.
Washington, February 24.-The Presi-
dent has withdrawn his invitation OK
Carolina, to attend the dinner TO be given
tonight in honor of Prince Henry, of
Prussia, at the White House. Senator
Martin, of Virginia, a member of the
committee on naval affairs, has accepted
an invitation in Mr.. Tillman's place.
Senator Frye, president pro tenn of the
Senate, gave directions to the clerks of
the Senate to-day that the names of
Senators Tillman and McLaurin, of
South Carolina, must not be called on
roll calls until further notice. This fixes
the status OF tine Senators, who arc prao.
tically suspended from all Senatorial
| functions,
There was a sensational sequel to the
decision of the President to eliminate
Senator Tillman from the list of dinner
guests. The President sent for Senator
Cockrell, Of Missouri, and asked him as
a friend and Democratic colleague of Mr..
Tillman to suggest to the latter the pro-
priety OF Withdrawing his acceptance of
explained his attitude in the matter and
said that in view of the contempt pro-
ceedings Mr. Tillman's presence would
not only be an affront to the Senate, but
discourtesy to Prince Henry.
Mr.. Cockrel accepted the commission
and later telephoned to the President
that Mr. Tillman absolutely refused to
Withdraw, his acceptance, in response to
| the Presidents suggestion.
The President Immediately cancelled
| the invitation in note he dispatched
directly to Mr.. Tillman shortly before
noon today
simultaneously Senator Martin, of Vir-
ginia, was invited to take Mr.. Tillman's 8
place at the dinner as the next ranking
Democratic member of the Senate naval
affairs committee.
May Fight Duel.
Washington, February "a. In reply to
PRESIDENT Roosevelps letter, recalling an
] m q 70, tI,oD A
the White House tonight, Senator Till
| man wrote the President today that ha