The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-05-28
A POLITICAL SENSATION.
BOTH OF THE SENATORS FROM SOUTH
CAROLINA RESIGN.
Who Has Four Years Yet to
Serve, Meets McLaurin in the Open
ing of His Campaign-They Agree to
Resign and the Questions at Issue
to be Settled by the Democratic
Voters In a Primary Election This
Fall.

Columbia, S. c., May 25.-Today at |
Gaffney there was a spirited debate |
between United States Senators B.. r. |
Tillman and John L. McLaurin.
AS a denouement both of them have |
put their designations in the hands of |
Governor McSweeney. They have re-
signed with the understanding that |
they are TO go before the people of the
state in joint canvass and the senti-
ment Of the people is to be expressed
in the vote in a democratic primary to
be held in November.
The arrangement is sensational, for
Tillman was last summer elected for
six years and McLaurin has yet two
years to serve.
The result CT the issue means that
| if Tillman is sustained McLaurin's seat
| will be vacant; if McLaurin is success
| full he will succeed to Tillman's long
| term.
McLaurin had been invited to Gaff-
| to come too. McLaurin accused Till
man of attacking him when he (Till-
man) was in a bombproof.
! The latter declared that he would
| resign and meet McLaurin on the
| stump. McLaurin agreed to the prop
| osition. Senator Tillman, later, sub
mitted a written proposition which was
| acceptable to Senator McLaurin, ex-
cept that the latter wanted the election
to be held in October or November in
stead of this summer. McLaurin stat
ed that this was suggested on account
of his poor health. There were several
proposals submitted between the two.
Senator McLaurin wanted the race to
be confined to Senator Tillman and
himself. The latter declared that he
could not dictate to the state demo-
cratic executive committee when the
primary should be held or how many
candidates there should be.
/ The dual resignation, as finally for
warded to Governor McSweeney was
accompanied by no conditions. 1t
reads:
I'VE hereby tender our designations
as senators for the state of South Car
, olina in the United States senate to
take effect on November 18th next"
Under the election methods in this
state the state democratic executive
committee will arrange campaign
and the candidates will speak in each
2 of the forty counties in the state.
At the primary election the candi-
dates will be voted for directly. The
| general assembly merely confirms the
!. action of the primary. The campaign
3 will be pitched a year earlier than ex
! expected, but there are half a dozer
candidates in the field. Each mus
specify for which term he is a candi
:. | date.
Charlotte N. c., May 25.-A special II
The Observer from Gaffney, S. c., says
Senator Tillman was seen at tn,
train, after the resignation had beer
signed and was asked what would, in :
i. word, be the effect of the resignation
He replied:
1T will mean that we are to hay.
j either two republican senators or tw4
democrats
well, will you and Senator McLau
r rim enter the primary before the peopl,
S for re-election?"
: IT am going before the people ant
e there will be number of candidates.
y don't know what McLaurin will do, bu
I presume if his health will permit, tha
l. he will also run"
j. will you both run for the tern
which you have just vacated?''
t He can run for either one. There j
= no restriction about that. The resig
II nation is unconditional and he might a
d well run for my seat as his own
Are you entirely confident Of bein
Sc reelected to the term which you fav
% just given up?''
s, II see no reason why I should hav
Is fear as to the result I have nothin
personally against McLaurin. meref
e want the people to decide the matte
se and vindicate me-"
at Atlanta, Ga. May 25.-A special I
the Constitution from Ganney, s.
,e says: Senator McLaurin when aske
j. about the resignation said:
20 Tillman made a bluff and I calle
- him. All I desire is free fair an
il open fight on the issues upon which v
differ. I earnestly hope that all othel
will keep out of our race and run II
a. the other senatorship, so that Tillma
K and may meet as man to man an
" fight it out
40 ~ The Independence to be I'm the Rae