Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 February 1902 — Humorous News Items. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Humorous News Items.

But the Biddles will be remembered for their deeds rather than their last words. British losses up to date are 105,941 men and one Christmas dinner for a great general? Taking out insurance against smallpox has become a craze in London. The sorearm kind is good. The use of the American broncho by the cavalry in South Africa is said to be doing not a little toward elevating that branch of the service. Mr. Schwab has met nnd chatted with the Kaiser. This goes to prove that our steel magnates are Dot a bit stuck up. Young Alfonso’s coronation may have to be postponed for lack-of a king<iom to go with -it if the revolutionists continue to make trouble in Spain. Gov. Taft says Manila is a hotbed of revolution. In that case why not go to raising a superior brand of revolutions there for the South American trade? Russia blandly remarks that Great Britain and Japan have merely adopted Its policy as te China. Possibly it will begin suit for infringement of copyright.

SENATORS IN A FIST FIGHT. Tillman and McLaurin of South Carolina Disgrace the Upper House. Senators Benjamin R. Tillman and John L. McLaurin of South Carolina exchanged blows in the open session of the

Senate in Washington on Saturday. Tillman struck first and in the wild scrimmage that followed McLaurin drew blood from his colleague’s nose. Members of Congress and others at the capital were shocked beyond measure by the sensational event, which is the first of

its kind in the history of the government. The assault on Charles Sumner by Mr. Brooks in antebellum days occurred after an adjournment. There have been other serious clashes, but it is believed no two members of Congress ever before engaged in a fist fight on the floor of either house. Both men have been declared in contempt the Senate and action upon the case has been deferred until the corm mittee on privileges and elections shall make its report. In the course of a heated debate over the Philippine tariff bill McLaurin gave the lie direct to Tillman, who had previously repeated the old story about McLaurin having sold out to the late Republican administration in order to obtain control of the federal patronage of his State. Quicker than thought Tillman, who had listened to his colleague with the closest attention, sprang out of his chair. His desk is in the center aisle next to the last row. McLaurin’s desk is on the same row two desks removed. Usually Senator Bailey of Texas and Senator Teller of Colorado are seated between the South Carolt'-'tns, This afternoon only Senator Teller was between them. Tillman fairly'jumped over Teller and landed on his feet close enough to McLaurin to deal him a stunning blow over the left eye. McLaurin Returns the Blow. McLaurin, who saw his fire-eating colleague coming, did hot retreat, but, on the contrary, put up his hands and returned blow for blow. He did not act on the defensive. His guird, however, was beaten down by Tillman’s effective rush. The Senators sparred and punched at each other until Barney Layton, an assistant sergeant-at-arms, who had left his place near the President’s desk, anticipating trouble the instant McLaurin began to speak, jumped in between the furious Senators and began to push them apart. Senator Teller, who notwithstanding his 72 years is active and muscular, seized Tillman and proceeded to drag him away. Senator Bacon of Gt-orgia seized McLaurin. Heitfeldt of Idaho, a giant in stature: Patterson of Colorado. Tallinferro of Florida, who has shoulders that would be prized by a professional wrestler; Mallory of Florida, Pritchard of North Carolina, Warren of Wyoming and half a dozen other Senators quickly surrounded the combatants. Before the South Carolinians could be parted they had clinched ami undoulxtc-d----ly would have engaged in a desperate fight if they had not been separated. Tillman wns escorted to his desk, where he sat down, looking pale and excited. Mcover whose eye a great, angry lump was gathering, tried to address the chair, but was not given the privilege.

SENATOR TILLMAN.