Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-05-29


pencd here Saturday. 1t came like a
lhunderbolt out Of a clear sky, so un-
expected and sudden was the whole
thing. When the two United States
Senator'S agreed to meet in Joint de-
bate, Mcl.aurin to advocate his Com
mcrcial Democracy" and Tillman to
attack 1t, no one dreamed the two
United States Senator's would before
ntghtfall have their designations in
transit to the governor
Here up in Il iourishing corner OF
the State, has occurred the most sen
sational development OF politics since
1880. Two Senator'S have uncond-
tionally resigned. 1'illman has Just en-
tered upon Il six year term and sr-
l'aurin has until March 4. 1903. to
serve without mclestation, yet both
have resigned, effective September
18th in order that they might go be-
fore the people and test their strength
the understanding being that this
test shall decide whether the people
endorse Senator McLaurn's Democ-
racy with its expansion, ship subsidy
and commercial Ideas or that or
Senator Tillman, with what McI.aurin
calls his Bryan Democracy. Senator
McLaurin sought 10 narrow the fierce
contest to T1llman and himself, where
as Senator Tillman insisted on resig,
nation as originally proposed on the
ground that hn rnh16 tnto 70, a.,
the Democratic committee as to who
should be in the race or when 1t should
be. Both seemed eager to sign the res
ignation and about Z o'clock the paper
containing the dual resignation was
In the mail. 1t means that instead of
the campaign coming next summer it
will be held this year, and it means
that 1'illman will be in the race for
his six year term and McI.aurin for
reelection or for Tillman's term as
he sees fit but most likely for Till
mans term Iillman In his speech had
hammered and hammered away at the
idea that Mcl.aurin had betrayed the
true Democracy and that If he were
not Republican he ought to be. for
he had supported all their propositions
and doctrines. Tilllnan urged that the
decent thing for Mcl4aurin to do--thc
only proper thing, was for him to re-
sign his position and go before the
people and ii they endorsed him. be
returned. or stay at home If defeated.
McLaurin had deserted the party pat
form and ought to resign at once, he
persisted. Senator McLaurin in turn
inistcd that he was Democrat and
that on national issues he was free to
act with independence ana did so.
1illman said "ici Mcl.aurin resign and
80 before the Democratic primary
lhis year and III go home and keep
my mouth shut and let the other fc:-
lows attend to him If you elect him 1
take IT as nOticc that you don't want
me. II he is a Democrat then | am
not" Then, Mcl4aurin. turning on
Tillman, suggested that 'rillman al
ways found bomb proof and then
Senator McLaurin wcnt on to say:
"Oh yes. TiIinam says why don't | lc-
sign? II | Ill elected it VIII mean the
people don't want him, but he stopped
there; he is smart. lou never catch
him committing himself too far. He did
not say if I'm ciGcted he would resign.
Oh! you will never hear OF Benjamin
Tillman rcSignin3. Senator 1illmAn
jumped up and said Il Will sayt it,anh
do say it," senator McI.aurin:
Agreed" Tilimnn: "l'l resign right
now If You viii, ANA we viii go before
the people" Mclaurin: Agreed
Tillman: Draw up tie paper and wc'll
sign it right now McLaurin that