The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-13
Is THIS TRUE?
Assertion That Hon. John. d. VIC
I.anrin IL No Longer ~ Democrat.
BY Jos: OH to Atlanta Constitution

BY Jos: Ohl to Atlanta constitution.
Washington. March pecial.)-Senator
McIaurin of South Carolina, Is no longer a
democrat His name has been stricken from
the'democratic caucus roll. and this has been
done with the Endorsement OF the gentleman
himself. ,,
read himself out of the party which elected
him 10 the position he now holds. Whether
he is To be caSsed as independent or repuo-
lican, or whether ne Will nreier 10 retain lne
titIp democrat in tho official congressional
directory, is something for the senator himself
10 determine. AS has been stated, however,
he Is no longer on the democratic caucus
rolls.
VOTING CONSISTENTLY WITH REPUBLICANS.
For some time the junior senator from
South Carolina has been voting with the
republicans on every Occasion where mere
was n division on anything like p0lltical
lines. TO democratlic friends who nave
spoken with him on the subject ne mas
cuntented himself with declaring tnaI ule
votes were in accordance with ihis conscien,
lions Idea of what was correct. and mas saiu
that he would continue to vote as he thoughI
right, despite all the criticisms oi ms ue-
mocIatic colleagues. Indeed tnese crlt'c'slhS
from other democrats seem 10 nave arouseu
his resentment TO such a degree as To MAKE
him vote with the republicans ottener, peI-
haps, than he would otherwise nave aone.
He has up 10 the present declared tnat ne
was n democrat t. aud that 1t would be iounu,
when the matter came to q test, that ms
votes met the approval of the most pro
greSsive element of southern de1nocrhcs;
Now, however. he has formally hePa'a'eu
himself from his party
LEFT TO M'LACRlN HIMSELF.
When Senator Jones, ~ chairman Oh tne ue-
mocratic steering committee, began senuius ie
ont his notices for the cacus OF democratic
senators held last week, he was Undecided as
to whether he should send notice 10 senator
McIaurin or should not. The south Carollna
~SIo toI. ban, fNfT "a.
senator had SO compieLely @ oroh Gu and Uh hod so
consistently voted with the republicans, even
supporting the Philippine amendment 10
the army bill, that senator Jones was
doubt ful OF his status, and accordingly con-
suited several Of his fellow democrats, asking
them what course he should pursue toward
Senator McI.aurin. The matter was dlscusseu
at some length and IL was nnaIly 9eclueu tnae
the hest possible way to solve the problem
would be for Senator Jones to consult tne
wishes Of Senator McLaurin. :.
This the Arkansas senator did, making IL
main that the matter Of party affiliations was
entirely In the South Carollnian's own hands.
SEVERED OLD POLITICAL TIES.
Senator McLaurin asked that his name be
stricken from the caucus rolls. lie salu ne
did not care TO go into democratic caucusrs IN
the future and that he would break off all
political associations with his late party Az
This act on his part will probably make
loI of difference IN senator McLaurin's politi-
cal future. He has determined 10 ne canal'
date TO succeed himself in the Senate anu bas
been expecting to make the race IN The demo-
cratic primaries, counting on securing the
support OF the manufacturing cltles and
towns OF his state, and belleVlng that this
support would be sufhclent 10 orlng ABOUT nls
ELECTION AS republican, he could nave
absolutely no chance Of election at The hanus
OF a legislature which will Ue Overwhelming
Iy democratic and as an independent ne
would stand little or no snow IN Tue uetno-
tool q nj -
people OF south Carolina are afi lated with
ihe democratic Orga niZatlon and there ~ Hp.
p.rentIy no place on the list OF office holders
Tor either republicans or independents.
OTHER INDEPENDENTS IN THE SENATE.
Senator Mciaurin's act in disassociating
himself from his party places hlm In the
same category with Senator Jones, OF Nevada,
and Senator Teller. OF Colorado, ana senator
Wellinulon, OF Maryland. Senior Jones Is
repu bllcan ON the tariff and on almost every
Thing else except the money question, out ne
prefers To array himself with the minority.
At the same time he mas never gone into
n dem ocratlc caucus. When 1t came TO the
makeup OF the committee under the last
reorgapizatio there was q sort ol compromlse
with regard 10 Senator Jones, according 10
which mis- status upon the existing commit
tees was not changed. Senator Teller votes
and acls with the democrats on all questions OF
y political nature, but because VI political
conditions in his own state ne prefers 10 DC
known Az a silver republican ana not as
democrat. Senator Wellington loses no op
portunity to criticiFe the acts OF ms ioImer
republican associates, out ne prefers 10 DC
classed as An independent.
OF the other western senators who have
been more or less uncei tain in their political
affiliations since the silver question chang
ed party lines in 1896, Senator Stewart has
gone back to tho republicans, while Sena-
tors DUBOIS, Heitfeld, Turner, Harris, Patler-
son and Allen now affiliate with the demo-
Gratis and 60 into the democratic caucuSes.