The sun., 1897-09-01
M'LAURIN TO BE SENATOR.
POPULAR ToTE IN SOUTH CAROLINA
RESULTS IN HIS FAVOR.
A Very L,Eht vote was PoiIed, and None but
TiIlmanItes Recorded Their Choice - Bit-
ter Campaign and Its Incidents - VIII
There ne Trenchery in the BeGislnturoi

Very Iight vote was Poled, and None but
TiilmanItes Recorded Their Choice - Bt-
ter Campaign and Its Incidents - VIII
There ne TrencherS in the LeEisiaturoi
CHARLESTON. S. c.. Aug. 31.-Tho returns re-
ccived here tonight indicate that John S. Nc
Laurin is elected to the United States Senate by
a popular vote, defeating John Gary Evans ana
ex-senator Irby. Tho voting throughout the
State was remarkably light. There are still tho
backwoods precincts to hear from, and tho total
vote is estimated to be not more than 10000.
In Charleston 800 votes were cast, only one.
fifth Of tho possible vote. and OF these McLaurin
polled 200. The returns so far are incomplete,
and all will not be in tonight, but McLaurin's
election is conceded by tho Evans-1rby COM
bination.
When Senator Earle died several months ago
II became necessary for Gov. Ellerbe to APP
point n successor to serve until an election by
the Legislature after popular primary could
take place. The Governor himself wanted the
office, but his friends advised him TO wait a few
years and try for TillmRn's seat The strongest
man In tho reform party was Congressman Mo
Laurin and he was appointed. The State DEM
ocratio Executive Committee was called to-
Rcther. and an election was ordered for Senator.
campaign was mapped out which required
the candidates to travel over the State and
make speeches at every county for two months,
and q bitter warfare was waged.
Personal encounters in many instances were
averted narrowly. 1t was the field against Nc
Laurin. Tho other candidates wero ex.Gov.
Evans, former United States Senator J. L. NJ.
1rby, 8. G. Mayheld and J. T. Duncan. Tho last
two dropped out after brief spell Of speech.
making. and this had the effect Of making the
fight all the hotter. Ex-Gov. Evans barely os
capped being cowhided on tho stump in Green.
vile because he said something against the
tnr Al ha mi m ion "a nj n n
ing the homcstretch McIaurin and Evans be.
came so personal that 1t looked as IL duel
would be the result.
The primary is over and McLaurin is the win.
ner, but the primary does not put him through.
The preliminary election was to get the choice
of the people of the State. and tho Legislature is
General Assembly took oath that they would
support tho nominee OF the primary In the cleo
tion last year when Earle was chosen. Now
tend that they are not obliged to support tho
nominee in this race. 1t is hardly possible. how.
ever. that such course will be taken. Evans
may form an independent movement to try to
defeat McLaurin In the Legislature next jan
uRry.
In this campaign there were no conservative
or anu.Tillman candidates. The strength OF the
Tillman ring is SO great that there was little
chance OF straight-out Democrat being elected.
. McLaurin was the candidate OF Gov. Elleroc.
He mas served several terms in Congress. 1t Is
tude on the tariff is un-Democratic and that he
has endcavored to get a duty on cotton and
other Southern products. He is an avowed FREQ
silver Democrat and went in on that platform.
CoLCMRIA, $. O.. Aug. 3l.-The vote In the
Democratic primary election to-day probably
did not exceed 10000. At IL o'clock nearly
total reported vote Of 1000 McISurin has
over 5000 plurality, with Evans easily doubling
1rby. McI4aurins majority will probably bo
1000. McLaurin is still Ill at his homo In