Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-06-05
------a -
M'LAURlN WITHDRAWS RESIGNATION.
In Courteous Letter He Accepts the Action
OF Governor McSweeney.

Columbia, S. c., June 3.--Governor
McSweeney today received the follow
ing letter from Senator McLaurin:
Bennottsville, S. c., juno 3, 1901.
Governor Nj. b. McSweeney-Dea
Sir: Your letter of the 3lst of May, in
which you decline to accept my resigna-
ton as United States Senator, is received.
The grounds upon which your declina-
tion is predicated are that "the people
are entitled to one year of peace and
freedom from political battles and bit
terness," and that a campaign this year
would be "a calamity to tho State, to be
torn asunder by heated canvass in the
off year in politics without any possible
good to come of it,"
AS an additional reason you suggest
that any disturbance of tho harmony of
the people in their work for the advance
ment of tho material prosperity of the
State might result in retarding this
progress
appreciate fully the force of the
reasons given, by you and tho effects
upon the people Of the State of heated
States Senator this year. For tho sake
of "the peace, prosperity and happiness
of the people of this State" am willing
to hold on to my commission as United
States Senator and to continue to serve
the State as have done in the past to
tho "best of my ability" but in retaining
my seat in the Senate will not consent
to be handicapped or bossod by any one
claiming right to judge my motives
and actions.
propose to exercise my judgment on
all national questions under the influence
of high sense of responsibility to the
people and to work for tho upbuilding
of the political and material interests o f
my State. | recognize fully my account.
ability to tho sovereign people and am
always ready to give strict account of
my official acts to thcm.
Your suggestion that it is not your
purpose by your official action "to pre-
vent the fullest and frecst 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 tho designations. The poo
plo are entitled to hear both sides of
these questions and to form Judgment.
Personalities and bitterness in a Joint
debate would Interfere with fair and
full discussion of them and instead of
cNuCdClHR WOuNl ullSlcdu anu UCCClVo
them.
All that have claimed is this right of
the people and my right to enlighton
them on these questions whenever called
upon. In my effort to do this 1 was
intcrfcrrcd with by the senior Senator,
who affirmed that my doctrines were
political horesies and hurtful to tho
people.
My wish is that all public questions
may be freely and fully discussed before
the people and 1 will be content to abide
their decision upon them.
In copaenting to hold my commission
I wish it understood that it is in response
to your patriotic appeal, that it is for tho
good of tho State, and not because l
feared to 90. before tho people and dis
cuss with tho senior Senator or others
tho national issues Of the day am q
public servant of tho people and it is my
duty and pleasure always to promote
their interests in eyery way l can.
| have tho honor to be,
Yours very respectfully,
John Lowndcs nj cI.alirin.