Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-05-29

prepare the papers, "dlteu LUZ meSSeh-
ger Otis, who, accompanied by some
newspaper men, shortly afterward
brought the following:
GAFFNEY, s. c., May rs, 1901.
His Excellency Gov. M. B. McSweeney,
Columbia, s. c.
Sir: We hereby tender our resigna-
tions as senators from South Carolina
in the United States senate, and ask as
a personal favor that you do not ap-
point our successors, unless there be
an extra session of the senate, until the
Democratic state committee shall have
ordered primary to choose the men to
be appointed. If you will kindly advise
the state chairman Of the Democratic
party and ask prompt action in order
ing such primary and arranging for
a canvass by the candidates, we shall
be under obligations.
Yours respectfully,
B. r. TILLMAN, u. 8. 8.
Senator Tillman's original challenge
had been to the effect that both .sena-
tors resign and run against each other
for vindication, and Senator McLaurin
was desirous Of carrying out the agree
ment to the letter. Feeling also that on
account Of his health he was unable to
make the canvass during the hot
months of the summer, he added the
following, leaving space for Senator
Tillman to sign, and affixed his sigma
ture:
THE campaign Is to be between B. r.
Tillman and John L. McLaurin for the
long term Of office which the former re-
signs and to be held during the months
Of October and November.
JOHN L. MCLAURIN,
U. 8. Senator"
Senator Tillman took the ground that
the senators could not dictate to the
executive committee, and directed that
the paper be taken back to Senator
McLaurin with the request that he
leave off his proviso and sign the orig
inal paper, or else submit another prop
osition. Senator McLaurin then wrote
the following, addressed to the COVER
nor:
tions to take effect when the Demo-
cratic state committee shall order q
primary election, during the month Of
November, to choose our successors. 1t
having been mutually agreed that q
joint canvass shall be made by us dur
ing the months Of October and Novem:
ber. '.... :.
Senator Tillman objected to the above
for the same reasons already given,
and addressed the following letter to
Senator McLaurin:
Hon. John L. McLaurin:
|. Dear Sir: / have compiled strictly
with your taunting proposition that
BENZ, The Tillmanite, took good care
not to put himself in jeopardy, and
when I responded II will resign II you
will do so today" you said, II will do
that" Afterwards, at the close, you
repeated your willingness to carry out
dodge out of 1t by putting impossible
conditions. We cannot dictate to the
governor or the Democratic executive
committee. We can only do what we
said we would and leave the rest to the
authorities. Will you, or will you not
stand by your pledges?
B. r. TILLMAN.
Without unnecessary delay Senator
McLaurin replied as follows:
Hon. B. r. Tillman:
Dear Sir: am more than willing to
carry out the proposition which your
letter indicates you we're "taunted into
accepting" Congress meets In De-
cember. I invite you to join me In q
letter to Governor McSweeney tender
ing him our designations. to take effect
in ample time for our successors to- be
appointed. I prefer the canvass to
take place during October and Novem-
ber as, on account Of my physical con-
dition, I could not stand 1t during the
summer months. If you are sincere In
your proposition, unite with me In q
letter to Colonel Jones, requesting him
to call the executive committee and ar
range for the primary. Or, II you pre-.
fer, let us place our designations In the
hands of the governor Internationally
to take effect September 18th.
I have the honor to be yours respect
fully, JOHN l.. McLAuRIN.
There could be no possible objection
to this proposition, and as the outcome
Of it both senators signed the following
note to the governor:
Sir: We hereby tender our resigna-.
tions as senators for the state Of South
Carolina in the United States senate, to
take effect September 18th next.
Yours respectfully.
The designations reached Governor
McSweeney on Sunday morning as he
was leaving Columbia for Chickamau-
ga, and he said that he would not con-
slider them until his return. Colonel
Willie Jones, who Is chairman Of the
Democratic executive committee and
also a candidate for the United States
senate, said that in the event Of the ac-
ceptance of the designations, a meeting
Of the executive committee would be
called about the first Of July, and the
campaign would probably be opened
about the first of August.