The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-03-03
RULING ON TILLETAN-M'LAURIN EPI-
SODE MAY BECOME FEATURE
OF CAMPAIGN
STAND BY THE CONSTITUTION
Bailey and other Leaders COnfOund
Republican Presiding Officer
and Force Him TO
Change Front.
HELPED BY MAsONs VOTE
FROM THE GLOBE BUREAU,
WaShiupfOu ID G.

WASHINGTON, D. c., March 2-The
Tillman- -McLaurin affair is rapidly de-
VelOping into a party issue. In the be-
ginning there was no difference of opin-
ion as to the disgracefuness of he in
cident; all, Republicans and Democrats,
believed that the dignity Of the senate
had been outraged, and that some pun
sshment should be inflicted. But the
course pursued by the Republican leaders
has lost them the support of all the mi
nority,9 nd some of the majority members
The Democrats never anticipated any
thing more severe in the way of pun
ishment than a reprimand at the Dar
of the senate. This, or possibly suspen-
sion for a short time, they supposed
would close the incident. But the arbi-
trary action of President pro tenn. Frye
in ordering the clerk to omit the names
of Tilman and McLaurin from the rolls
In calling the vote on the Philippine bill
and the subsequent talk of expelling both
senators, has put the Democrats in a
fighting mood.
Incidentally it may be said that this
is the first time in more than year
when any evidence of belligerency has
been observed in the party-it has been
only sham opposition mock court
debate, until this occurrence. But the
= stitutional questions raised stirred up
Mr.. Bailey, Of Texas, who whatever he
is, or is not is familiar with the consti-
tuition, and devoted to it's preservation.
Turner, of Washington, showed himself
parliamentarian, and in the absence of
the nominal leaders, like Jones, Of Ar
kansas, and Bacon, of Georgia, the other
leaders came to the front.
On the day of Prince Henry's visit they
made pretty fight, and While overruled
by the party vote of the majority, the
moral victory was on the side of the
Democrats.
best of the argument. Even Senator
Foraker, when he tried to make merry
with Bailey, was himself tilted into the
ditch. Mr.. Hoar, who is probably the
best equipped law debater in the sem
ate had to take a back seat; and Spoon
er, who is famed for quickness and re-
source, privately acknowledged that there
was no reply to be made to Bailey.
Democrats Stand on Constitution.
The point which the Democrats are
making in supporting the right of Till
man and McDaurin to vote is very clear,
and can be very simply stated. They
contend that the senate cannot do by
plain majority vote what the constitution
declares may only be done by a two
thirds vote. 1t requires a two-thirds vote
to expel a member, but the senate has
practically expelled two members by a
majority vote. The members are declar-
fined condition, analogous to- that known
in judicial bodies, but for which there are
no precedents in the annals Of the senate
and while thus in contempt they cannot
vote. The two members are, to all
lntents and purposes, suspended for in
definite time; the suspension lasts until
1t pleases the majority to restore them
to their former state. Such suspension
plainly amounts to temporary expulsion;
but it is more serious penalty than ex-
pulsion, for, if the members were expell-
ed, the state of South Carolina would
have the right to appoint, through
its governor, two other sena-
tors to take their places and to represent
the interests of the state in debate and
vote on the-floor of the senate. But while
the two offending senators are Sin con-
tempt the state cannot choose success
sors; nor has it any voice in that body
1t is clearly within the power of the ma
jcrity to continue the disability of the
two senators as long as it may suit them,
and it is within the bounds of possibility
that they might be held thus for all the
rest of their terms, which in the case Of
Tillman would be almost six years This
would clearly be greater penalty on
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