The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-05-30

the hands OF the governor uncondition-
ally to take effect September 18th.
| have the honor to be yours respect
fully,
JNO. l.. McLAURIN.
The focus had been reached and
Senator Tillman dictated this formal
instrument, which he signed:
Gaffney, May %. 1901.
His Excellency. Governor McSweeney,
Columbia, S. c.
Sir:-We hereby tender our resig-
nations as Senators for the State Of
South Carolina in the United States
Senate to take effect November 18th,
next. Yours respectfully.
With Senator TIllmans signature
this paper was sent to Senator McLau-
rim, and in a few moments it was
signed and returned. There was no
letter of explanation. but with the two
signatures it was posted. and although
strictly official business, 2 cents stamp
was attached and the letter went to
Governor McSweeney. 1t will be lett
to the State Democratic committee
when the primary will be held and
whether it will be open to all corners.
Tillman says he wants just as many
as want his full term to run against
him and one primary with strictly
Senatorial candidates will be ordered.
But OI The S,cdKIng which lea up
20 the two important designations. or
course every one "ypected the hot
stuff after the announcement that
the Two senatorial warriors were 10
get together aal even to the last,
many thought the senator's would
not hitch. The speaking occurred in
the court house. which seated about
500 comfortably. There was no
crowding and just about 800 were
present. A number of ladies were
present but the crowd generally was
divided as between country and town
visitors. There was manifest feeling
between the two senator's who but
short time ago were such Staunch
friends. They did not exchange
greetings except in debate and it was
apparent that both tried hard to curb
passion and tongue and neither in
terrupted the speaking during lts
progress. Though both are accus-
toned to speaking they seemed Sc
verely fearful of saying TOO
much. apparently. 1t was a signal
opening and sparring for position.
and it is evident that day after day
in the campaign to come. the gait will
be swifter and Swifter and reserve
will fade meeting by meeting. Till
man seemed fresh and dapper Whlle
McLaurin spoke with such earnest
ness and vigor that it seemed utterly
to exhaust him, while Tlllman ap-
peared to warm up under the pros
pect of a fight as of yore. They Doth
talked overtime. McLaurin spoke for
one hour and fOrty-five minutes ana
Tillman for about as long. and ootn
were willing to give each otner aii
the time they wanted.
The meeting was called to order
bv Chairman Ed Fl. DeCamp.
Senator Mcl.aurin started out py
saving: We are all Democrats,
but there are great questions on
which the division has come. The
time has been. he said. when ne
would have given his life for TIL
man and the difference arose because
he now occupied the strong road iii
man had entered upon 16 years ago.
Tillman had gone through his stony
road and now he had entered such
stony path as Mr.. DeCamp mad de
scribed He then outlined no" ne
came to join the reform movement
wears ago and how sixteen years ago
he entertained Tillman at his home.
and how he then backed up Tillman.
Tillman then stood for what ne To-
dav stands. Nothing has ever oc-
Cured in his whole life that gave
him more pain than to separate from
TilIman and some of his old friends.
but he felt he was right in his views.
In 1890 there was the cry "Hush.
You will split the party. and you Will
remember how Tillman ridiculed thc
idea. Today he said he STOOD lor
freedom of thought and lndepen-
dence. Who is now CRYING HUSH OF
Won will split the party The very
same abuse heaped on Tlllman tnat
is now on him. One year ago he ana
not expect again to enter politics.
and if he consulted his own prefer
ence he would not be in the cam.
paign." The fact is. Tillman would
today attempt the roll of the boss
or dictator He is the man who has
;orsaken the faith. adding: Il am
u Tillmanite Of the old stripe and ne
has forsaken the way and chosen the
easy path. Senator McLaurin then
said he stood on his Greenville speech
and then referred to his speech here
in 1897. when he explained his posi-
ton in protecting monoZite, which IS
a local industry The industry was
dead until some one looked after II
in 1897. there was no monozite busl'
ness here. not dollar. and last year
the business amounted to S11,sOO, and
+bic ,roc the result of work and that