The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-06-02
Dear Sir: Your notification of my

appointment to the Senate of the Uni
ted States to fill the vacancy caused by
the sad death of Senator Earle has
been received. The pride and pleasure
at the receipt of such distinguished
honor is saddened and sobered by the
thought that our State has lost one
who, to my mind, was the ideal rep
resentative of the culture, intelligence
and refinement of southern clvlllza-
ton.
With profound consciousness OF
the responsibilities involved and an
honest determination to represent as
far am able the interest OF the entire
people of our beloved State, accept
YOUR appointment. I desire, however,
TO say that believe that United States
ISenators should be elected by vote
of the people; and as the Constitution
debars us that privilege, I sincerely
trust that the Democratic executive
committee will, at its convenience,
order primary, and give every DEM
ocrat the chance of having voice IN
the selection of one to fill this, the
highest, Office in the gift of the peo-
pie. If am not selected, 1 will hum
bly acquiesce in the wishes OF ma
jority of my fellow citizens. If am
selected, l will have the proud con-
sciousness of knowing that ] am IN
fact, truly the representative OF the
people-the whole people of the State
of South Carolina. 1t is peculiarly
gratifying to me to receive this ap
pointment at your hands; but had not
the exigencies of the situation in the
Senate demanded the immediate ap-
pointment of one somewhat familiar
with the situation, I would have re-.
ouested you 10 hold the matter OF ap-
pointment in abeyance until prlma-
ry election is ordered, which, l hope,
the executive committee will see pro-
per to do, and other Candidates see fit
to enter. shall at every meeting in
sist upon no one voting for me merely
because I have been appointed to the
position. I resign an Office but little
inferior in dignity and honor. If l
am to be continued in the senate, l
want it to be given me in an election
where every citizen, however humble
he may be, can have an opportunity
to say so at the ballot box.
Nothing would give me more pleas
ure than to represent South Carolina
| in the Senate chamber of the United
States after free expression from the
people themselves. Respectfully.
John L. McLaurin.
The Columbia State says: Cover.
nor Ellerbe is done with the matter.
He would no doubt like to see a pri.
mary and have his selection, which
he feels he made in response to the
will of the people of the whole State,
as he understood it, approved by them
therein. He will not take any hand
! in the primary. however. A dispatch
from Washington states that Senator
Tillmap, profting by past experience,
no doubt will likewise have nothing
to say or do in connection with the
coming race.
The present indications are that the
primary will be called by the execu-
tive committee to be held about the
middle of September next. In this
case the campaign, which is part OF
the primary system in this State, will
have to begin at least two months be-
fore. There will be 40 county seats to
be visited by the candidates. 1t will
be rather an expensive thing for the
candidates who make the race, and it
| is possible that none will be held if no
other candidate than Mr.. McLaurin
remains in the race. The friends OF
the possible candidates already men
toned say that they will all make the
race, and of course the result will be
| long, tedious and costly campaign.
In the race in the Sixth congression-
al race to fill the vacancy caused by
the appointment of Mr.. McLaurin to
the United States Senate, those candi.
dates who have already been named
as certainties propose to stay in the
race to the end. Mr.. D. W. McLaurin
was asked the plain question if he
were going to make the race. His re:
ply was that he would do so provided
his warm personal and army friend,
Mr.. D. ]. Bradham, did not run.
If Comptroller General Norton is
elected to Congress, as his friends feel
confident he will be, then his present
chief clerk, ex State Senator Derham,
will be candidate for that position
on the State ticket. He has stated as
much.
The Southern Christian Advocate OF
last week has this to say OF the COVER
nors selection:
LAS was anticipated by most men
of good judgment, the Hon. j. L.
McLaurin of Marlborough county,
now leading member of congress from
this State, has been appointed United
States Senator vice Joseph 81. Eearle,
deceased. The appointment is good
one, and will be ratified in the pri-
mary whenever that is held. Cover
nor Ellerbe has chosen wisely.
Mr.. McLaurin is Christian gentle
man of decided ability and high char
acter, eminently deserving the houors
placed upon him, and he will be fully
equal to the responsibilities and duties
demanded by the important office to
which he has been appointed. We
congratulate our State that her inter-
ests are confded to such faithful and
capable hands. Senator McLaurin is
a worthy successor of the statesman
whose death all mourn"
The Citadel Encsmpment.
The Anderson Intelligencer says:
"Col. Coward and Capt. White of the
South Carolina Citadel, Charleston,
spent two days in the city last week