Evening star., 1901-05-29
TILLMAN In CONTROL
McLaurin's Chances for Reflection
to Senate Are Slim.
EVEN HIS FRIENDS SAY THIS
The People, However, May Choose
Two New Men.
STATUS OF THE FIGHT T


Special From Staff Correspondent.
COLUMBIA, s. c., May 29-It is in the
air that Senator McLaurins movement for
the rehabilitation of the South Carolina
democracy is doomed to failure upon this,
it's first trial. The tremendous inertia of
prejudice, partisanship and class ignor-
ance is too much to be overcome by the
spontaneous effort of the young patriot.
The ponderous machine of Tllmanism is
too powerful in it's present organization to
be lightly overturned
Don QuiXote, in his famous charge
against the windmills, made not more
hopeless sortie that the present onslaught
of McLaurin. Tillman, invncible in his
armor of demagogism, securely entrench
ed behind an organization that required
five years to perfect, and which has en-
Joyed five years more of perfection, can
and does snap his fingers in the face of
this paladin who rides lightly forth to do
him battle upon his own ground.
There is nothing at this time in the
present situation that augurs favorable
for McLaurin, however righteous his cause
NO matter how it appears to the good
sense and material welfare of the people
OF south Carolina everything points to it's
present destined failure. The odds are too
much against him. 1t will take years of
patient effort of education and of self
sacrlhce on the part of men more promi-
nent than McLaurin to bring the van
guard up to the banner which McIaurin
mas so fearlessly planted at the almost GER
tam prospect of his political immola-
ton.
Question of Politics. Not Policy,
IL is true that in the opinion of thought
ful men, concerned in the material welfare
OF the state the policies advocated bv Nc
Laurin are those most likely to be bene-
ticial to South Carolina But it is also
true that the men who recognize this fact
are not potent factors in the politics of
the state.
On the contrary, they are not even promi-
hent IN politics. They shrink from partici-
patton In political affairs They fear the
odium they would suffer from opposing the
powers mat be, and the powers that be-
and will be for some time to come, repre-
sent Tillman and Tillmanism
Inc movement which McLaurin has in
ausurated does not carry the seeds Of
t;, t;esoietlon. 1t carries seeds which require
'ilne Tor propagation and growth
south Carolina has just come throupb q
revolution, the so-called reform move
ment begun by Tillman in 1890 1t an
pealed TO the passions and preiudces of the
masses and resulted in the overturninr of
the old Bourbonism. the aristicracv of the
state, by the so-called "Wool Hats" This
class Is still dominant. Now comes Nc
III a measure will reinstate the aristocracy
that is the wealth and industrial element
OF the state. 1t can scarcely be expected
that THIS revulsion of feeling will come in
single campaign. Even those in the class
which MIR. McLaurin Is attempting to
reach shake their heads and say the pros
pect of his success is remote
however much they sympathize with him
thelr familiarity with the situation as it
exists leads them in frankness to express
doubts of the success of the movement in
the near future.
Few Believe in McLnurin's Success.
outside of the little circle Immediately
surrounding Mr.. McLaurin and sharing his
enthusiasm and confidence, 1t is hard to
ind a well-posted man who will admit
the likelihood of his success
The material fact in the present situa-
tion is that McLaurin and Tilman, having
resigned from the Senate, are before the
people for reelection. They will both con-
test for the long term, that is for the seat
now represented by Tillman. Already a
host of unknown men are candidates for
the short term, or McLaurin's seat.
There Is the possibility that the people
of the state, firing of the fight between the
two men and shrinking from the alternative
presented in their candidacy of voting for
I1Nmanlsm or Commercial democracy"
better understood as republicanism NAV
prefer two candidates representing the reg
ular democracy. Thus there is the poss-
bility of both being left at home But it
IS only possibility. The probabilities are
all with Tilman and favorable to his sue
cess. The question is to be settled next
fall when primary elections will be held
throughout the state. At these primaries
electors will be chosen who will be pledged
to vote for the success of the senator's
thus affording in a measure a direct vote
for senator by the people. Senator Nc
I.aurin has requested that the campaign
be postponed until September on account
of his health.
Gov. McSweeney Candidate.
A feature of the situation is the fact
that the governor of the state. McSwee-
ney, is candidate for senator. He will
be asked to resign, and if he does James
H. Tillman, nephew Of the senator will
become governor. He represents Tillman-
ism in its most virile form. The Tillman
papers in the state today published an ed
itorial from William j. Bryan's paper tele-
graphed from Lincoln commencing Till
mans candidacy and closing with these
words:
1T is needless to say that the editor
of this paper hopes and expects to see
Senator Tillman win sweeping victory,
because he represents the man, while Nc
Laurin represents the dollar. whe vote
will show whether the plutocrat idea is
making any headway in the SOUTH"
Bryanism and Tillmanism are still linked
together in this state and to thoughtful
persons there are no indications that one
is less acceptable to the masses than the
other. 1t Is considered significant that in
the industrial sections Of the state, where
McLaurin's movement is best appreciated
and valued, there should be the most
doubt Of its success. This is only explain
able upon the theory that the best An
formed people understand more thorough
ly the temper of the rank and file of
the state and are therefore the most pes
simistic. Senator Tillman last night is
sued a manifesto to the democrats Of
he Undo FOL
lows:
Tillman's Manifesto.
THE contest between the democracy and
| the man who seeks to betray it will be
fought without any local complications
whatever. Voters will not be influenced
in this contest by the desire to elect local
favorites, and thus swapping will be pre-
vented. The issues will be clear cur. The
organization of the Commercial demnc-