Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-30
M'LAUR|N'S FUTURE
Staked on His Vote for Protecting
Southern Products.
MANY ATTACKS ON His POSITION
Primaries for the Choice of United
States Senator.
STATE ISSUES PLAY NO PART


metto state. The first primary is to be
held tomorrow, and 1t may be the gradual
turning point in politics in the south
All the candidates who originally entered
the contest have withdrawn except ex-Gov-
ernor John Gary Evans. ex-senator John
L. NJ Irby and the present senator, ]. L.
McLaurin, who resigned his seat in the
House to accept an appointment as senator
to fill the vacancy caused by the death of
Senator Earle. State Senator Mayfield
and John T. Duncan entered the race and
made partial canvass of the state, but
withdrew on ascertaining that the fight
was between McLaurin and the field, and
that Evans and Irby were the strongest
leaders in the field.
Senator McLaurin was one of the south
ern senators who voted in the House and
Senate for protection to certain southern
products. He did this with full knowl-
ecge of the fact that in the past such
vote would, without a doubt, have cost him
his seat He voted for protection for GER
tain articles, however, with belief that
sentiment in the south was gradually u1-
dergoing change, and, as he voiced his
convictions, he told his friends he would take
chances on explaining his vote when he
again went before the people.
The position of Senator McLaurin has
been the basis of the fight during the
eight-weeks' canvass which has ended.
His opponents have attacked him Wig
orously as a republican, and have charged
that he was attempting to lead the demo-
cratic party of the state into the republi-
can party.
Senator McLaurin has met these attacks
by referring to the fact that Senator Till
man and Senators Clay and Bacon of
Georgia voted with him in the Senate He
has denied that he is preaching republi-
can principles, but asserts that protection
ought to have been given certain south
1II..fS fhA 1t,t~
being passed around. He has asserted that
there must come a change in the senti-
ent of the people of the south. His op-
ponents have charged him with having
been permeated with protection principles
for several years. They allege that Speak
er Reed made him a member of the ways
and means committee of the House with
knowledge of his views. This, of course
McLaurin's speeches there has run a pre-
diction that there must be change in the
south from former positions en- the tariff
State Issues Ignored.
State issues have played little or 10
part in the hot campaign which has closed
The people will vote between man who
frankly states that he is imbued with
small amount of protection ideas and two
men who stand squarely on the old demo-
cratic doctrine of tariff for revenue only.
Inc probability favors the nomination of
ceded by his opponents that he will at least
lead the other candidates in the first pri-
mary. Ii he does not win in either the
hrst or second primary it will be surprising
to his friends.
1t is the fact of McLaurin's probable suc-
cess that is creating much interest
among democratic politicians here and else
where. Tney know that five wears ago no
politician or candidate would have dared
give utterance to the views expressed by
McLaurin. His nomination, it is easily seen
VIII be the first recognition by a southern
state that the people are open to convic
tion' that they are no longer the partisans
OF former years, intolera bic to everything
HOW Tar this may affect future elections in
southern states is what is furnishing occa-
SION SION Ior much thought. The divisions of
last year throughout the country estab-
hshed an independence in politics in the
south which threatens to grow and affect
the party The first sample Of it is mani
!esting ltseif In South Carolina. The cleo
tlon OF McLaurin, 1t is claimed, will have
iar-reaching results 1t will be a tribute.
II Is claimed, to the increasing liberality of
southern voters. 1t VIII go into the state
conventions In the south when the time
comes 10 instruct delegates to the next ma
tional convention.
Followers of Calhoun.
A deeply interesting feature of the con-
test has been the fact that the leading
supporters of McLaurin are men who have
been admirers of Calhoun and his teach
lIgs for years. These come from the class
which Tillman always characterizes ss
aristocrats. Ser ator .McLaurin has shown
IN his speeches that in 1919 Calhoun was
a protet tionist because he then believed
tfat policy was best for the south. Web
ster was then low-taritf man. The opin-
ion of each changed as conditions changed
Mr. McLaurin alleges that conditions are
again changing in the south, and that the
people Will have to change with them.
"a in, ,ra14 ,~.,-
Carolina has, it is said, brought about
some OF this change of sentiment which
may put McLaurin in the Senate. Cotton
manufacturing especially has grown to
enormous proportions. In the county of
Spartanburg there are a greater number
OF spindles and looms in operation than in
any one county in the world. The cotton
manufacturers are supporting McLaurin
unanimously.
Senator TfIlman Stands Aside.
Senator Tillman is hands off in the fight
He voted with McLaurin on the tariff, but
makes no explanation of his vote. The
opponents of McLaurin claim that Tillman
does not hold to partial protection views
as a permanent thing. as does McLaurin.,
but that he voted for certain features Of
the tariff bill on the ground that as the
pie was being passed he desired a share
of it. They claim that he said the tariff
bill was a STEAL" and that he wanted to
get some OI the Al-BOtltH gains Wullt3
they were being shared out"
The primary plan was adopted in South
Carolina for the first time last year. An
effort was made. it will be remembered,
to have the same plan adopted in Virginia
in future elections. This plan provides
that all candidates for United States sena-
tor shall appear before the people in every
county of the state. After the canvass the
first primary election is held II one can
dIdate receives a majority of the total
votes cast, that settles the matter, but If
no candidate receives majority, then O
second race is ordered by the democratic
executive committee. In this race all can
dtdates are dropped except the two highest
Than the candidate receiving majority
or the votes cast in the second primary is
declared the democratic nominee for sena-
tor.
There is no statute law binding the leg
islature to elect the man who is declared
the nominee, but each member of the leg
isiature feels morally bound to support the
man who has received the largest number.
of votes No matter how bitterly opposed
member OF the legislature may be to the
man who has been successful, he feels in
duty bound to vote for him. This ID 60 II
the successful man received q very small
m i0rifv