The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-06-04
HAS PULLED lHE STRING
SENATOR M'LAURIN, OF SOUTH
CAROLINA, WILL HOLD HIS
SEAT IN THE SENATE
DEFERs TO GOV. M'sWEENEY
In Retracting His Resignation the
Senator Processes to Act for the
Best Interests of People
of His State.

COLUMBIA, S. c., June 3-Gov. Nc
Sweeney today received the following let
ter from Senator McLaurin:
Dear Sir-Your letter of 31st Of May,
in which you decline to accept my res g.
nation as United States senator is re-
ceived.
The ground upon which your declina-
ton is predicated is that the people are
entitled to one year of peace and free
dom from political battles and bitterness
and that a campaign this year would be
calamity to the state to be torn asun-
der by haStened canvass in the Off
year in politics without any possible good
to come of it. AS an additional reason
you suggest that any disturbance of the
harmony of the people in their work
for the advancement of the material
prosperity of the state might result in re-
tarding their progress
II appreciate fully the force of the
reasons given by you and the effect on
the people Of the state of a heated strife
producing contest for United States sena-
tor this year. For the sake of the peace,
prosperity and happiness of the people of
this state, | am willing to hold on to
my commission as United States senator
and to continue to serve the state as
have done in the past to the best of my
ability. But in retaining my seat in the
senate I will not consent to be handi-
capped or bossed by anyone claiming a
| right to judge my motives and actions.
L propose to exercise my judgment on
all national questions under the infiu-
! ence of a high sense Of respons lbility to
| the people and to work for the up-buid-
| ing of the political and material inter-
ests of the state. I recognize fully my
! accountability to the sovereign people
and am always ready to give a strict ac-
| count of my official acts to them.
! Your suggestions that it is not your
| purpose by your official action to prevent
! the fullest and freeSt discussion of all
| public questions and the education of the
| people along all political lines is in ac-
| cord with your patriotic course in refer
| ence to the designations. The people are
| entitled to hear both sides of these ques-
lions and to form judgment. Person
! alities and bitterness in a joint debate
! would interfere with a fair and full dis
| cussion of them, and instead of educating
| would miSlead and deceive them All
| the people and my right to enlighten on
! these questions will never be called upon.
In my effort to do my duty, [ was
| tnterfered with by the senior senator. who
! inferred that my doctrines We're rolit.ca
! heresies and hurtful to the people. Nv
! wish Is that all public questions NAV be
! freely and fully discussed before the
| people and 1 will be content to abide by
| their decision upon them. In consenting
| to hold on to my commission I wish it
| understood that 1t IS in response to vour
! of the state and not because feared to
| go before the people and discuss with
! the senior senator or others the national
| issues of the day. I am the public serv-
| ant of the people, and it is nv DUTY and
| pleasure always to promote their inter-
| ests In every way I can.
John L. McLaurin.'