The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-06-19
Wednesday, June 10, 1901.


Is Willie Jones Party to This?
1t is evident that Tillman Is badly scared
as to the political future. Instead Of meeting
the people face to face and showing the jus
tice OF his contention, does he prefere, with
closed doors and in secret session to make the
Democratic State Executive Committee tool
to accomplish by trick that which he may be
unable to do by appeals to the common sense
Of the people.
The effort to take an undue advantage OF
McLaurip is q small matter. 1t Is Of very lit
tie concern whether he Is in the race or not.
The wrong which Is intended primarily
against him is really an injustice to the great
mass Of the people. Any interference with
the freedom Of speech, and any effort to pre-
vent the people from full expression OF
their wishes at the ballot is bossism, pure and
simple. AS the leader of a great movement
ten years ago, Mr.. Tillman was a hero. Now,
as a schemer, in trying to hoodwink the peo-
pie, by depriving them Of their rights, he
assumes the role of boss.
When Mr.. Tillman started out on nis cru
sade he was a farmer, wishing only to'secure
the rights Of the people. He succeeded to
wonderful degree and became a hero-the
idol OF the great mass of the people-whose
word was law with them.
But period OF ten years in the highest Of
fees within the gift OF the people, and his ALB
solute ownership, or guardianship OF their
rights, seemed to have turned his head, and
1t would appear, when his power is waning
that he would hold by strategy that which he
cannot maintain in an open and frank ap-
peal to the people.
In this last movement Of Mr.. Tillmap
against the rights and liberties OF the people,
he seems to have disregarded a number OF
his old and staunch friends by assembling
around him new lot OF followers, who might
assist him In his sleight Of hand performance
behind closed doors.
In the following dispatch, which was sent
out from Columbia, it will be noticed that IL
is sought to associate Col. Willie Jones with
the trick. Mr.. Tillman recognizes the re-
spectability and the esteem in which the
chairman of the committee Is held by the
people. II, therefore, Mr.. Tillman and his as
sociates, could secure the cooperation Of
such a man as Col. Jones, they would have
gained a strong point in their favor. But Col.
Jones has good reputation. He is popular
with the people. His oonnivsnce at Mr.. TILL
mans plans against their rights and liber.
ties is something that a gentleman OF Colo.
mel Jones's standing could not afford. Col.
Jones Is deservedly popular man. He has
kept himself aloof from the dark lantern
methods Of the politician, and he could not
join q nefarious scheme against the rights OF
the people, without compromising his OVID
selfrespect and forfeiting the good will Of
those who have so justly honored him.
Columbia, June Ex-senator Tillman's
friends think he has quietly fixed the cards
for Senator McLaurin TO draw a blank next
summer Without even haying chance to
win.
Instead of ruling McLaurin out of the par
ty, method that would raise a rumpus IN
the junior senator Is to be made to rule him
self out.
Tillman was opposed to the executive COM
mittee ruling out McLaurin, on the ground
that it would give him an advantage before
the people.
He could declare himself democrat and
say Tillman was afraid TO allow the people
hear him; afraid to allow them to be the
judge 1t has therefore, been planned to let
the convention, that meets next May to or.
ganize party machinery, make new primary
McLaurin. This oath, heretofore, has been
designed to cover the state matters only, the
candidate pledging himself TO abide the re-
suit Of primary and ID support the new ones;
as TO pledge the support OF the national dem.
ocratic platform In all It's plank acknowledg-
Ing the platform as the mouthpiece Of the
party and pledging also to abide by the eau.
Gus votes
McLaurin having declared 90 strongly
against both these, Tillman supporters de.
clare he cannot take the oath, and unless he
does he cannot participate In the primary or
be voted for except at general election. The
plan leaked out after Senator Tillman and
Colonel Willie Jones, Chairman OF the state
executive committee, spent q couple OF days
together.
McLaurln's course, under these circumstan-
ces, has not yet been defined, but 1t Ia already
taken by his friends as evident that the or
ganiLation is afraid OF McLaurin's strength.
Governor M.B.McSweeney NJ. was asked today
whether he indorsed this scheme OF ruling
out McLaurin. He would not commit him
self, saying that he was not mem ber Of the
committee and did not care to get tangled up
In the matter. He would say, however, that
unless a man would stand by the platform
and be governed by q caucus, he could not
claim to be In the party.
State Chairman Jones said he did not think
the present executive com mmitee would take
any action about McLaurin. The conven-
tion and new committee will be in control
long before the campaign is opened for next
year.
"Nothing will be done now," he said, "un.
less McLaurin goes to cutting up too much in
the state this summer. Then any five men,
bers Of the committee can have II called to-
gether and take what action they may see
IT."