The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-06-05
THE SENATORIAL RESERVATIONS
Status Of 7iIIman and MeLaurin Dis
eussed in Washington.

Washington, June While, of
course. neither McLaurin nor Tillman
can /" rue back'' without earning the
reprobation of every honorable man,
still, in the opinion of good lawyers
here. there is nothing legal which
would prevent the withdrawal of their
resignations. These in fact, are not
resignations at all but merely notices
of an intention to resign. Until Sep
tember Is, they are Senators Of the
United States and will draw the pay
as such. The Governor is absolutely
barred, meanwhile, from appointing
anyone to their seats or even to sue
ceed to them when their designations
take effect. Any appointment that
he may make must be made after
that date.
In discussing the subject. a Demo
cratic United States Senator, who IS
recognized as one of the foremost law
yers of that body, said:
Senators Tillman and McLaurln
have not resigned. They have merely
notified the governor OF their inten-
ton to resign. Their alleged reslgna-
tions will not take effect until the
date specifed-that is, September 10.
In the meantime either may Withdraw
and the governor of the state Will De
obliged, under law, to recognize such
Withdrawals In case out IN Indiana
some wears ago this question arose;
The supreme court of that state held
that such resignation was simply
notice of an intention to resign and
that the man who had submitted 1t
was entitled to withdraw it at his
pleasure. In order for Messrs McLau-
rim and Tillman to resign in the regu-
lar and legal way it will be necessary
for them to sign paper rellnqulsn-
ing their seats at once.
"This places an aspect upon tne
question which might lead some to
believe that there is possibility OF
lack of sincerity on the part of one
or the other of the two senator's.
There is no telling what complications
NAV arise calculated to lead either
man to Withdraw his resigntlon,
which can be done without detrlment
to his standing as member OF the
Senate
While the validity of any election
held before September 10, in order to
fill the vacancies, is also questioned,
this point seems to have been settled,
as far as a precedent set by the House
can control the action of the Senate
which, of course, it cannot at all ex-
cept morally. A similar question was
fully discussed on the first day OF the
last session of Congress, when the sub
iect of seating of Senator Delivers
successor was under discussion. Mr..
Delivers resignation as member OF
the House was worded so as to take
effect on December 80. This was sub
mitted to the governor OF Iowa about
three months before that date. The gov
ernor ordered an election, which was
held in Mr.. Delivers district on No
vember previous, and a successor TO
Mr.. Dolliver was elected. When his
credentials We're presented to the
House on December 3, the point was
raised that they did not entitle the
newly elcted member to seat IN the
House. This contention, after great
deal of discussion. was decided IN the
negative and Mr.. Dolliver's successor
took his seat.
Secretary Root has received from
the Philippines an official act OF
the Philippine Commission which
asserts. in SO many words, that the So
called agreement entered into with the
Sultan Of Jolo authorizing the contin-
uance of polvgamy and slavery in his
islands. was a regular treaty and not
mere modus vivendi. as claimed by
the Administration. The significance
of Gthe acknowledgment of the Jolo
treaty is realized by Mr.. Root. the
latter admitting that the actions OF
the Philippine Commission We're en-
dorsed by the United States Govern
meut.
The first section of the act follows:
/" Pursuant to Article Y of the
treaty between Brig. Gen. John c.
Bates, United States Volunteers, rep
resenting the United States, and his
Highness, the Sultan of Jolo, the Dat
to Rajah Muda, the Datto Attik, the
Datto Calbi. and the Datto Joakanain,
all trade in the domestic products of
the Archipelago of Jolo, when carried
on by the Sultan and his people, with
any part of the Philippine Islands,
and when conducted under the Amerl-
can flag, shall be free, unlimited and
undutiable. .
This is the first instance wherein
the United States has entered into
free trade with a foreign Government
without the ratification of reciproc-
| ity treaty.