Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-02-13

Mr.. John McMaster. of Richland, has
introduced in the legislature a resolu
tion Of censure for Senator McLaurin's
position on the ship subsidy bill. What
has the legislature Of South Carolina
got to do with Senator McLaurin's
course in the United States senate?
The senator is sent to Washington to
represent his state. according to his
own Judgment and guided by his con-
science. Happily we have not yet the
Populist system Of initiative and refer
endum in our government. and repre-
sentative in the legislative councils of
state or nation is really a representa-
tive and not a mere agent of his con-
stituents' will. Senator McLaurin has
taken a position on the ship subsidy
measure which we do not approve our
selves, and probably large section of
the senator's constituents hold views
identical with ours on the matter It
is right and proper that these views
should be expressed now, and hereaf-
ter put into action. when Senator Nc
Laurin comes to make an account of
his stewardship and to ask for a re-
election. But it is not in the province
Of the state legislature to outline poll
cies Of national government, and there
is no occasion for it to pass upon a sem
ator's attitude on a public measure, as
long as the senator remains within the
bounds of his authority. 1t is to be
hoped that the legislature will not pass
the McMaster resolution, as such ac-
tion would establish precedent of in
terference with the states representa-
tives in Washington which cannot have
other than harmful results.-Charles-
ton Post.
This sounds sensible. 1t is very SEN
sible, for The Post, which is con-
stantly throwing gratuitous filings at
Senator McLaurin. 1t shows that even
The Post is capable Of looking at Sc
rious question soberly. AS to whether
Senator McLaurin is right or wrong
on the ship subsidy question, we con-
fess that we do not know. He is in
Washington for the purpose Of study
ing such matters, and the presumption
is that he is doing what he conceives
to be his duty. Filings and insinuat tions
of disloyalty to his people are as unjust
as they are contemplate, and they are
not creditable to any newspaper that
makes them without proofs. Papers
like The State and Post, insinuate Mr..
McLaurin's action is Influenced by his
desire to please the Republicans. Mr..
McLaurin's speech, however, is based
upon the resolutions of Southern man.
ufacturers, and is in line with their
desires. These manufacturers repre-
sent millions of dollars of capital that
have Influenced the prosperity of this
whole section. These manufacturers
are capable of studying such questions
intelligently. The positions they have
attained in the world by their own ef-
forts generally, furnish proof of this
fact Unless they saw benefit in the
proposed measure they would not ask
for it. The only reason we can see
why cotton manufacturers could want
to develop the American carrying trade
on the ocean would be to secure inde-
pendence of foreign shippers. If this
development would benefit Southern
cotton manufacturers, it would also
benefit Southern cotton producers, and
if it benefits both of these classes, then
Senator McLaurin is justified in work.