The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-02-25
SNIFF Treason IN THE AIR.

Talberes Speech TO 30 Made an Excuse for
Unsestiog all tho TIllmanite Members Whose
Seats are Contested.
Special to the News and Courier.
WASHINGTON, February I8.-There
was q rumor circulated among the
members of the South Carolina delega-
tion to-day to the effect that the re-
cent speech of Jasper Talbert, which
was denounced as Unreasonable @" by
Representative Barrett Of Massachu-
sets, would probably cost several
South Carolina Congressman to lose
their seats. There are four contested
election cases pending before the House
and they are about to be decided. la
fact the very day that Representative
Talbert created the scene In the House,
when he was accused of advocating Sc
c~ession, it was understood that the
committee on elections having the
South Carolina cases In hand were
about to report. 1t was generally un-
derstood that at least three, il not all,
of the sitting members from South
Carolina would be given clear titles
to their seats. Then came the Talbert
episode, and almost instantly there ap.
peared to be q change of sentiment
among certain members of the elections
committee regarding the South Caro-
lima cases. The reports said to be
ready for PRONUNCIATION wore held back
and discouraging indications were
thrown out to the interested gentle
men from South Carolina. All in
quiries of the committee were met,
with the statement that the committee
was having great trouble in reaching
q decision In these cases. 1t was also
said that the Republican national com
mittee were urging the Republicans OF
the elections committee not to lose
sight of the political possibilities in
volved In the South Carolina cases,
misrepresentation Smalls, one OF the
representative cOlored Republicans oil
South Carolina, has been upon the
floor of the House for several DAYS pas
using his political influence among
Republican members in behalf Of the
Republican contestants in every case
Although he Is personally opposed t.
G. Washington Murray, who is con
testing the Charleston district will
Representative Elliott, Smalls is play
ing politics strictly. To the friend,
OF Governor Morton he says he has GO;
kind feeling for Mr.. Morton" To tn,
friends of Speaker Reed he says it will
be q difficult matter for him to voc
against the "Big Man from Maine
at the st. Louis Convention, and 10 tn
supporters of the Allison boom he say
that the Senator from Iowa Is hi
personal friend of many years stand
ing. These incidents, together wit
Senator Tillman's threat to leave tn
Democratic party are surely having
damaging effect upon those Sout
Carolina members who follow the Til
man standard.
In this connection a rather disccu
aging fact came to light to-day. Befor
the Talbert incident one OF the Sout
Carolina members against whom a cor
test is being made, was discussing hi
case with a Republican member Of tn
elections committee. The South Care
lir ian was eager to obtain some infor
ms tior bearing upon the contest, an
the Republican member in q friendl
spi it was disposed to go as far as DO
sible 10 that direction without viola
ting the obligations OF secrecy impose
upon all members of the committe,
The South Carolinian suggested tina
he felt quite confident that his ca
would be decided in his favor, and t
that end he was about to secure
house in Washington for the remainde
of the session and send for his famil
to join him here. This was a yer
oOoI' IhuSI, anu InS nleulDGr vi I'll
committee, approaching that fact, T.,
piled in the same friendly spirit tina
there should be no hesitation abo,
securing the house, and congratulate
the South Caro)inian upon the prospet
OF having his family with him shortl,
A few days ago the same two member
met again and proceeded to discuss til
came subject. To the dismay of til
South Ca%rolinian his Republican fr'er
said a change had come over the stu,
ton, and advised him not be in a hurl
about engaging a house and bringin
his family to Washington.