The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-26
sketch of John j. McLaurin.

Sketch of john y. McLaur1n.
John Lowndes McLaurin was born in
Marlboro county, May g. 1860. His father,
Philip B. McLaurin, a lawyer of ability,
died from exposure In the confederate
army in 1864. His mother was a daughter
of Col. T. c. Weatherly, a before the
war politician of note. To this side of
the house Mr. McLaurn attributes his
taste for politics and whatever ability he
has in that line. In 1867 his mother mar
red w. S. Mowry, a wealthy business
man of Charleston, who moved later to
Englewood, N. J. Several half brothers
are in business in New York city.
The school system in this state was
then very defective and young McLaurin
was sent to Bethel Military Academy,
Warrenton. Va. From there he went to
a school a Englewood. where he remain
ed till IS years old going at that age to
Swartmore College, Philadelphia. He re-
manned there two years, and then enter
ed the Carolina Military Academy at
Charlotte, n. c., where he graduated in
1880 He was noted as more proficient as
base ballist and pugihst than at Greek
or Latin. A two-years' course in the law
department of the University of Virginia
finished McLaurin's education.
His first case before a jury won him a
law partnership. He defended and obtain
ed the acquittal of thirty-two negroes, who
We're parties to a county feud Arrayed
against McLaurin were all the leading law
yers Of the county, the law and the evil
dence but his appeals to the jury carried
the day Judge Townsend, now assistant
attorney general, was opposed to him, and
at the conclusion of the trial offered to
take Mr.. McLaurin in as a partner and
the offer was accepted.
McLaurin early entered politics and ar
rayed himself against the old regime. In
1890 he was elected to the legislature from
Marlboro The general assembly was
composed almost entirely of new men,
among them being the now ex-senator
1rby, ex-Gov. Evans, Justice Gary and
Judge Gary, but McLaurin at once took
a stand which placed him well in the front.
AT the second term of the legislature At
torney General Pope was elected associate
Justice of the state supreme court, and
Judge Ernest Gary, Congressman Wilson
and d. A. Townsend and Mr. McLaurin
were candidates for attorney general TO
succeed Justice Pope. McLaurin had an
easy victory, being excited on the third
ballot. He plunged at once into the sea
OF litigation. The Coosaw case was pend
ing involving a large sum and the bank
and railroad tax cases that have since
been so noted finally ending in the su-
preme court OF the United States. All of
these cases were Of the utmost import
ance to the state. His record as attor-
ney general was good.
During the campaign of 1893 Gov. Till
man was opposed by John c. Sheppard.
The main fight was made upon Tilmar
by Col. Noumans. who was candidate
for secretary OF state, and was a very elo-
quent fluent and forcible speaker. There
were personal differences between You
mans and Tilman, and Tillman refused
20 debate or recognize him I'm the cam
paign. which threw the fight, so far as
Noumans was concerned. upon McIaurin
IA tfrl "a Ii IA ken MIA
in any campaign in this state. IL was OF
such a character as TO excite the kecnesl
public interest but the two men came
ont from 81 the best OF friends personally
The result created a public favor for Nc
laurin. and when Congressman stack.
house died I'm June, 1892, the people OF
Mr.. McLaurn's district elected him "a
congress. He was seated when the Fifty
second congress convened In December
1892.
McLaurin went to congress about the
time that Bailey. Bryan. Sihley and Others
OF equal note. made their entrance upor
the congressional stage. and Immediately
began TO attract attention 60 himself a,
DICTATOR. His first nght was on the ne.
peal OF the purchasing clause OF the Sner.
man act.
Ills speech was one OF tho very frst
attacks upon Grover Cloveland's policy
During the panic Of 1898 McInurfu took i
leading part Ia the fight for the issue ot
treasury notes 90 De deposited with th,
banks TO take the place OF clearing hous,
certificates.
Ia he organization OF tho Fifty.fourth
congress speaker Reed placed Mr.. Nc.
Isurln upon the ways and means com.
mittee Since that time he has devofel
himself 20 "a study OF the tarim question
IN speech, delivered ON March 2s iasf
ne attracted attention Of the country. II.
proclaimed the doctrine that If "a polle,
81 protection was 10 obtain. that ths
tolth should have her share. that an oi
ho'nlhg should be protected. BE Offered
~ amendment BOO The committee room
hth'ng Tor r. duty OF 2it cents upon al
s1ltoh imported into the United states
ass Ease speech was an advertisement OF