Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-06-06
TILLMAN,s MOOD DEFIANT.

letter to Governor McSweeny, with
drawing bis resignation:
Trenton, 8. c., June 8, 1901.
"Hi5 Exoellency, Miles B. McSweeney,
Columbia, 8. c.:
| "Dear Sir: l am In receipt oil your
telegram In which you say, L UNDER
stand Senator McLaurin's letter to be
withdrawal of bis resignation and /
have read that worthy's communica-
ton 10 which he graciously consents, ct
your request, TO hold on to his commits
sion "a United States Senator and con-
tinue to serve the State as he has done
In the past 20 the best of bis ability
"This leaves me one of three alteroa.
tives: To appeal to the democratic ex-
ecutive committee to take the matter
up and determine what the best In
terest of the party requires to be done;
to appeal to the Senate Itself to deter
mine the question as to whether re-
signation from that body TO take effect
at some future time is binding, or with
draw my own resignation. There are
no presidents on this subject, because
10 the hundred and twenty-five years
OF our national life. with more than
two hundred designations from the
Senate, no Senator has hitherto been
willing to occupy the despioable atti-
tude now assumed by Senator Mo.
Lsurin and forced on me.
II am certain OF one thing. that the
exercutive of State has no authority
Ito decline o resignation that has been
rendered, and / am equally certain that
had your exceilency confined your ac-
ton within legal bounds, that your ap-
pointees would be seated in the Senate
when that body meets 10 December and
hold their seste until the Legislature
should act In January. Ny chief regret
| is that am forced by your action to en-
gage in what the outside world will con.
slider game of opera boufie, by with
drawing my own resignation sfter Sen
ator McLaurin's undignified and puerile
action, but the purpose for which 1t was
rendered has been thwarted by Senator
McLsurin's preopitous acceptance OF
executive advice. Bob Acres has been
outdone for once,
"As have already said, / have no
motive or purpose in resigning except
to force McLaurip, and there is nothing
for me to do but accept the situation
and withdraw my own resignation, u it
be lawful to do 30. Yours respectfully.
"B. r. TILLMAN."
Governor insolvency sent csustic
letter TO Senator Tillman yesterday, In
reply to the communication from the
| Senator few days ago. The Governor
says the most charitable construction
he can put on it is that Tillman wrote
when 10 o passion. He says:
II considered the course which took
10 this matter to be for the best inter.
ss!s OF the people OF South Carolina,
and am responsible to them alone for
my action. And, furthermore, | still
believe that my course has met with the
approval OF o majority OF the citizens
OF the State, nor do l consider them 'uu-
thinking citizens but men who know,
and recognize as fully as any people on
earth the rights and duties and respon-
sibilities OF citizenship, and do not need
the services OF anyone to tell them their
duty.
"Your insinuatiop that ] have been
'importuned' to await the convenience
Of any present, or would-be ssprants
who ARE not Just yet ready, for various
reasons to enter the contest brought on
40 unaxpsotsdlyA' and that for this rea-
1t has, is unworthy ofa man holding the
high commission which has been given
you by the people of South Caroline,
and deserves no notice 10 this connec-
ton. However, | may say for your
benefit that alone am responsible for
my reply, and will give account for the
course have taken to the people who
have honored me and not to any one
individual.
''In this matter, have done what /
thought best calculated to promote the
present prosperity and contentment of
the people OF my State. and shsl con-
tinue to do so regardless of what any
one man may say or think Of my course.
with due respect for your opinion,
| think have as high conception OF
the Office OF Senator and It's powers as
you or any other citizen of this State.
II you still wish to resign your commits
sion and will send to this Office an un-
conditional resignation / will exercise
the authority and power vested 10 me
by the people,"
Senator Tillmap was interviewed
yesterday evening while on his way to |
Winthrop College. He read Governor
McSweeney's letter, and said 1t did not |
deserve reply, but he was evidently
angry. Finally he declared defisntly |
"The future will reveal whether or
not there has been dioker between
him and these fellows"
Senator Tillmsn also said that II Nc
Laurin did not have the backing of
republican Senate he would contest the
matter In Washington. He is the first
man since this government was estab
lished to withdraw resignation.
"It Ia not q parliamentary question.
but question OF honor among gentle.
men," he added. "Compacts are not
broken unless both are willing. He
fiunked out of this through Governor
McSweeney's fundamentally, The
Governor is patting himself, but IL
mistake not he will yet realize his ter.
'ible bIunder."
Last night Senator McLaurin talked
ibout the situation. He Ia feeling bit. ,
erly about Senator Tillman's conduct
against him. Before hearing that Till. ;
nan had withdrawn his resignation,
hcLaurin said that II Tillmsn would
make bis resignation unconditional be
McLaurin) would take it as q direct
hallenge; would resign unconditional
y, and meet Tillman In the contest for |,
lis seat.
Deafness Cannot be Cured