Evening star., 1901-05-23

South Carolina senator Makes .
Speech at GreenYf1le.

South Carolina senator Makes .
Speech at Greenvf1le.
Senator John L. McLaurin OF South Car
olina made speech at Greenville yester-
day in defense of his course in the Senate.
He began by acknowledging accountable
ity to the people only and refusing to obey
any political boss
In voting on national issues he said he
had considered the best interests of the
south and the country. A man was
traitor who deserted his party on purely
sectional questions, such as white suprem-
acy, but IT was almost a crime for any
party to make the great non-political meas
ures, involving the development of the ma
tion. test of party fealty. There was, in
his opinion. no greater menace to the coun-
try, to the stability Of the government,
than large minority in Congress voting
as partisans on vital American questions.
Mr.. McLaurin declared himself demo-
crat. and honestly desirous Of remaining
one, but said he deplored the fact that his
party had become so sectional. In 1896 he
had believed free silver was the salvation
Of the country. Unforeseen forces have
come into play, gold from the kondike,
money for investment from abroad. In
creased banking facilities, and none but a
fool would now make a free silver speech.
Mr.. McI1aurin said he had looked beyond
help South Carolina by promoting the ma
terial political and commercial interests Of
the common country. For this he had been
Vilely prosecuted.
Of South Carolina, but was proud of the
fact that because Of his liberal views and
what the President called his patriotic
stand he had been consulted on certain oc-
casionS. A wiser man, truer patriot and
more kindly Christian gentleman never oc-
cupied the White House than Mr.. Nc
klniey. The appointments recommended
by him were good ones, for the best inter-
ests of the state-South Carolinians of high
standing. Mr.. McLaurin had no nephews
commissioned In the United States army:
no son drawing a large salary travelling
this state at the governments expense,
manipulating political affairs for him.
Mr.. McLaurin then took up his several
votes and speeches in Congress from his
advocacy when member OF the House, in
March. 1897, of protection for products OF
the south. His course then had received
oVerWheimlng Endorsement and had greatly
penehted the rice. lumber and cotton manu-
featuring industries of the south
AS to his vote for the ratification of the
Paris treaty. he was proud that he had the
strength to do it. He had intended, al
though deenl1ng 1t unWise, to vote with his
party, as he saw no great harm from call
ing an extra session; but when the Fill
plnos fired on the American troops he saw
danger ahead-trOuble with Europe if we
were still at war with Spain-and we would
still have been at war il that treaty had
not been ratified
Mr.. McLaurin declared expansion was the
bedrock of democracy. He pooh-poohed
imperialism Bryan had as much chance
of winning on that issue as a spit foot bull
frog OF kicking all the water out Of Lake
michigan he defended his position on the
ship subsidies. declaring southern senators
subsidized the southern fast mails. and
every town in South Carolina had subs-
dlzed one or more railroads cotton fac
tories. In conclusion he declared he would
not be turned from his course. conscious
as he was of the absolute unselfishness of
his purpose, because some political wolves
were bowling on his track