The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-04
M'LAURIN TO M'SWEENY
WRITES IN REFERENCE TO HIS
 RESIGNATION.
Will Continue to Serve the State in the United States Senate, But Will Not Be Bossed
 by Any One.

| Columbia, s. C., June Ex-Governor
 McSweeney today received the follow ing letter rom Senator McLaurin: l My Dear Sir--Your letter of the 31st of May. in which you deeline to accept my resignation as United States SenA- | tor. is received.
 The grounds upon which your de- clination is predicated are that the peo- | pie are entitled to one year of peace and freedom from political battles and bitterness and that a campaign this year would besa calamity to the State | to be torn asunder by. a Heated canvass in the off-year in politics, without any | possible good to come of it. As an ad- ditional reason, you suggest that any disturbance of the harmony of the peo- pie in their work for the advancement of the material prosperity Of the State might result in retarding this prog ress.
 T appreciate fully the force of the reasons given by you and the effects upon the people of the State of a heated and strife producing contest for United | States Senator this year. For the sake of the peace, prosperity and hap piness of the people of this State,' l am willing to hold on to my commis- sion as United States Senator and to continue to serve the State as I have done in the past, to the best of my ability. But in retaining my seat in the Senate, I will not consent to be handicapped or bossed by Qny one claiming a right to judge my imotives and actions. l propose to exercise my judgment on all pational questions un- der the influence of high sense of re- sponsibility 10 the people. and to work for the upbuilding of the political and material interests of the State. I rec ognize fully my Accountability to the sovereign people and am always ready to give a stIict account of my official acts to them.
 Your suggestion that 1t is not your purpose by your official action to pre- vent the fullest and freest discussion of all public questions and the education of the people along all political lines. is in accord with your patriotic course in reference to the resignations. The people are entitled to hear both sides of these questions and to form a judg- ment. Personalities and bitterness in joint debate would interfere with fair and full discussion of them. and instead of educating, would mislead and deceive them. All that I have claimed is this right of the people and my right to enlighten them on these questions whenever called upon.
 Tn my effort to do this. l was inter- fered with by the senior Senator, who affirmed that my doctrines were politi- cal heresies and hurtfuLSo the people. My wish is that all public questions may be freely and fully discussed be- fore the people, and l will be content to abide their decision.
 'In consenting to hold on to my com mission. I wish 1t understood that it is in response to your patriotic appeal, that it is for the good of the State. and moi because feared to go before the people andidiscuss with the senior Sen ator. or others, Che national issues of the day. anna public servant of the neopIe. and it is my duty and pleasure always to promote their interests in every way I can.
 q have the honor to be. etc.