Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-05-09

jamin Tillman sprang over Senator
Teller, who sat next to him, and struck
his colleague, Senator McLaurin in the
face with his clenched fist There
never was a more savage demonstra-
ton of old-fashioned resentment
against offensive speech anywhere, or
one where the attack was more delib-
erately invited. The stage was set for
the act. Senator Burrows had read
Washinugton's Farewell Address, the
Philippine tariff bill had been taken up,
Senator Tillman had the floor.
Then he began a scatching review Of
!, the governments policy toward the
Philippines, drawing into the debate
Senators Spooner, Dolliver. Foraker,
Hoar, Teller and others. He assailed
the method by which the treaty Of peace
had been ratified. He admitted that
William J. Bryan, the acknowledged
Democratic leader, had come to Wash
ington to help the Republicans ratify
that treaty, but said that with all his
great influence, Mr.. Bryan had failed
to secure enough votes from the DEM
ocratic side, and 1t had been found
necessary to get one vote by bribery.
Senator Spooner demanded that the
South Carolina senator name the man
who had been bribed, and added, "a
man who would impeach another in
confidence Is a coward" Thus pressed,
Senator Tillman retorted, 81 can prove
this: That the patronage of state
has been given to Democrat who vot-
ed for the treaty" H
Spooner-What state?
Tillman-South Carolina.
Senator McLaurin, Of South Carolina
was not in his seat at this time. He was
in attendance at meeting Of the COM
mittee on Indian affairs. Senator Spoon
er sent him a note and he came into
the senate chamber. The notes Of Sem
ator Tillman's remarks personal to
himself were placed in his hands, and
he took his seat in the immediate
neighborhood of his colleague, with
Senator Teller sitting between them.
McLaurin was perfectly calm as he sat
there almost within reach of his COLI
league, who was delivering one Of the
most vitrolic speeches ever heard in
the senate. When he had concluded Mr..
McLaurin rose with as little show as
though about to make speech appro-
pirate to the national holiday. He was
In appearance q decided contrast to his
colleague, both in manner and person
aIity, Handsome, well groomed, easy
In manner, and apparently unconcerned
he stood in the centre aisle. He did not
glance toward his colleague, but look
ing straight at the president Of the
senate, he said: 'Mr. President, rise
to a question Of personal privilege
During my absence few moments ago
from the senate chamber In attendance
upon the committee on Indian affairs,
the gentleman who has just taken his
seat, the senator who has just taken
his seat, said that improper influences
had been used in changing the vote Of
somebody on tine treaty, and then went
on later, and said that 1t applied to the
senator from South Carolina, who had
been given the patronage Of that state.
I think get the sense Of the contro-
versy. desire to state, Mr.. President, I
would not use as strong language as
intend to had I not soon after the sem
ate met replied to these insinuations
and said that they were untrue| now
say that that statement is wilful,
malicious, and deliberate lie."
AS the last word was uttered clearly
and distinctly, but without apparent
passion or excitement, Senator Tillman
crouched like tiger. sprang from his
seat, and vaulted over the sitting figure
of Senator Teller toward his colleague.
He landed beside McLaurin, and struck
as he landed. McLaurin had not turned
his face from the front, though he
knew what was coming. He did not
move a muscle, but awaited the blow,
which landed on his left cheek, then,
like an athlete, he grabbed his col
league, and there was fight in the
center aisle of the senate, the very CEN
tire Of the most conspicuous ring in all
the United States, with ninety dignified
senators looking on. No, not ninety,
for Senator Warren, of wyoming, had
not forgotten his early life in the west.
He stepped into the ring, separated
the two men as though they were chill
dren, took Senator Tillman under his
arm as he might have taken a vicious
ram on his sheep ranch, and carried
him into the cloak room. The fight was
ended.
Both men apologized to the senate.
but both intimated in their apologies
that they would settle their personal
differences elsewhere. There was a
long debate as to whether they should
be suspended, and weeks afterward
they were allowed to vote on the pend
ing measure on the ground that the
state of South Carolina could not be
denied its representation in the senate
of the United States.-Washing