The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-02-23
now THE TROUBLE OCCURRED.
TiIImnn Baited McLaurin Once Too
often.
tBv Associated Press.l

(By Associated TreSS.1
Washington. Feb. 2.-Washingtons S
birthday was signalized in the United
States by a fist fight.
The day set apart by the nation to
afford the American people opportunity
to pay fitting tribute to the memory
of the first President was the occasion
of one of the most sensational scenes
ever enacted in the Senate chamber.
The two senator's from South Caro-
lima were the active participants in the
affrav. Mr.. Tillman, in the course of
a speech upon the Philippine tariff bill,
made serious reflections upon the honor
of his colleague, Mr.. McLaurin. In
brief, he charged that Mr.. McLaurin's IS
vote in support of the ratification of
the treaty of Paris had been cast
through the exercise of improper In
fuences.
His statement was developed in a
colloquy between him and Mr..
Spooner of Wisconsin. Mr.. TiIlman at
first declined to mention. names, but
when the Wisconsin senator reminded
that he owed it to himself, to the Sem
ate and to the country to name the
man. Mr.. Tillman indicated that he re-
ferred to his colleague from South Car
olina.
Little imagining that his words were
likely to be prophetic, Mr.. Spooner re-
marked, sententiously:
81 will leave the senator to fight that
out with his colleague"
Mr.. McLaurin was not in the cham
ber at the time, being engaged in COM
mittee work; but he was sent for and
appeared just as Mr.. Tillman concluded
his speech.
Pale as death Mr.. McLaurin rose.
speaking to a question of personal
privilege. He reviewed Mr. Tillman's
charges and then denounced the state
ment made by his colleague as "a will
full, malicious and deliberate lie."
Scarcely had the word fallen from his
lips when Mr.. Tillman, sitting a few
seats from him, with Mr.. Teller of Col
orado between them, sprang at Mr.
| McLaurin. Mr. McLaurin, who had half
turned toward Mr.. Tillman, met him
! half way and in an instant the two
senators having swept Mr.. Teller aside,
were engaged in n rough and tumble
fist fight. Mr.. McLaurin received a
heavy blow on the forehead, while Mr.
Teller got bad punch on the nose
which brought blood.
Assistant SefBednt-at-AfmS Layton
sprang over desks to reach and sepa-
rate the combatants and himself re-
! ceived several blows. He got between
them and by main strength wrenched
them apart.
Senators Warren Of Wyoming, and
Scott OF West Virginia, two of the
most powerful men in the Senate,
leaped to his assistance. and pinion-
I ing the arms of the belligerent sena-
tors forced them into their seats
Intense excitement prevailed in the
Senate and In the galleries. which
were thronged with people who had
been attracted by the spirited debate.
Everybody was on his feet. Not a
word however. was spoken
Senators stood about the chamber. for
the moment quite helpless and pale 10
the lips. Finally order was restored
partially and IN the midst OF intens,
excitement the Senate went into secret
legislative session.
For two hours the senate discussed
the event behind closed doors When
the doors We're reopened n was made
known that both ~ the B0ufb Carolina
senators, by unanimous vote. he'd been
declared 10 be in contempt ~ the sen-
ate They were permitted BY "a vote 10
make apologies 20 ffe senate. The
statements were listened 10 with
bre0fhlcsF interest
Senator Tillmnn left fhe Capitol when
adjournment wac taken Tor recess nnd
did not return Tor the n'Khfs session.
Senator McL0urin was in the chamber
about . O'clock, bni ieff early Neither
scesunsse ~ ThSa fsssg