The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-29
STRAIT, LAr1NER AND McLAURIN.
They Say They are Good Democrats Now
Their Pictures Turned to the Wall
and Third Party Marked Across
their Names"
ISpecial to The News and Courier I

Special to The News and Courier.]
WASHINGTON, March PA sensa-
ton occurred here to-day in the ranks
of the Tillman faction of the South
Carolina colony when it was discov-
cred that Congressmen-eiect Strait,
Latimer and McLaurin are blacklisted
at the postofhce department.. Messrs.
Strait and Latimer came here in re-
sponse to telegram from Senator Irby
to attend conference Of the delegation
relative to the distribution of Federal
patronage in the State.
A SURPRISE FOR THE DOUBLE FACES.
This morning Messrs. Strait and
Latimer visited the postofflce depart.
ment and called upon "Headsman"
Maxwell, who presides over the fourth
assistants. When they endeavored to
discuss postal affairs in their districts
they were mortified and surprised, after
conversing with Mr.. Maxwell, to find
their pictures turned to the wall and
Third party marked across their
Names" In other words they were
black-listed as not being Democrats
and, therefore, not entitled to name the
forth-class postmasters in their respec-
tive districts. Mr.. McLaurin is also in
the same boat.
APPEALING TO THE MACHINE.
They went Immediately to the Capt.
tol and consulted Senator Irby, who
accompanied them back to the post
Office department as soon as the Senate
adjourned. Sen. 1rby said to Mr.. Max
we'll that be appeared there as chairman
of the State Democracy, and not as q
United States Senator, to say in behalf
of these gentlemen, Messrs. Strait,
Latimer and McLaurin, that they have
never been other than loyal and con-
sistent Democrats They were the
nominees of the Democratic primaries
and were elected by the Democratic
| party on the same ticket with the Cleve-
land electors, and any prescription
would I've indignantly resented by him
self and the organized Democracy Of
South Carolina.
SURPRISED AT IKBY's CHEEK.
Gen. Maxwell seemed surprised at
this statement, and invited Senator
Irby to conference With Postmaster
General Bisseil. The same argument
was repeated to Mr.. Bissell, who said
that after the present rush is over the
matter would be given full and careful
consideration, and that justice would
be accorded these Representatives.
wHIsTLISG TO KEEP HIS COURAGE Up.
Senator Irby said he knew from
what Mr.. Bissell said that Messrs.
Strait, Latimer and McLaurin will be
treated and recognized as other Demo
cratic Cougressmen. Upon being asked
if he knew who had caused this "black-
listing" Senator 1rby replied in the
affirmative, but added that bis infor-
nation was confidential and he was
not at liberty to disclose it.
THE MAN WHO DENOUNCED CLEvE-
LAND AS A TOOL OF WALL STREET.
Congressman Latimer, who was pres
ent during the interview, said he un-
derstood that the custom has prevailed
in the departments of allowing ex-
Congressman, defeated by Republicans
under a Democratic Administration,
to dispense the Federal patronage in
their respective districts. He said he
"ouiN lI'C w Guy SdNi VIC
being applied to him in the interest of
the gentleman whom he had defeated.
Messrs. Irby and Latimer said they do
not blame Mr.. Maxwell or the Admin
istration, but they derounce it as "a
sneaking, dirty trick" of some one.
They declare it is the greatest insult
that has ever been offered to the Re
form element in South Carolina, and
it will be resented by their people at
the proper time.
ASHAMED OF THEIR PAST.
Both Latimer and Strait denounce
the charge that they are Third Party
men as absolutely false, as they claim
that it is contradicted by every vote
they have cast and every speech they
have delivered. They say they have
never voted anything but the Demo-
cratic ticket.
WILL Mr.. MURRAY BE INVITED?
The conference of the delegation has
not yet been held owing to the ab-
sence Of two members. Senator Irby
says Senator Butler and Mr.. Brawley
will not be invited 10 the conference
as they have declined to be bound by
its action. r. NIL.