The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-12-13
WASHED BEFORE THE PUBLIC BY SOUTH
CAR0uIAa'S SENATORS.
SENATOR JONES TAKES A HAND
senate McLaurfn Arises to a Ques-
ton of Personal Privilege and
Complains of Attempt to Read Him
TiIlman C~haIlengers Him to a Joint
observation-disclosures Hoar Sug-'
gests that Both Seats are Vacant by
Reason of the Resignation of Last
Spring.


chamber was the scene Of a highly
dramatic episode today when Senator
Tillman, of South Carolina, challenged
his colleague, Senator McLaurin, to re-
sign with him on he spot In order, TO
use his own language, that they might
be able Ito wash their dirty linen at
home"
Senator McLaurin did not take up the
gauge.
The exciting clash between the two
senators today was the direct sequel
Of the very bitter controversy which
arose between them In South Carolina
last spring.
Senator McLaurin arose to a question
of personal privilege today n pro-
ceeded to explain what he charged was
a conspiracy to discredit him in his own
state for acts and views which did not
meet the approval of certain demo-
cratic leaders. He declared that he was
being Inundated and, according to pub
lie print, was to be excluded from the
democratic caucu because he had acted
upon certain public issues in a way
which he considered was for the best
interests of the country and the people
of his state. He announced himself a
believer in the old democracy, and, af-
ter denouncing the new democratic
leaders. who. he said, had brought de-
struction upon the party, declared that
he could not be driven from his old
allegiance into a party with which he
did lot care to affiliate.
Senator cLaur statement drew
the fire of Senator Jones, chairman of
the democratic national committee, who
denied he had any Interior motives"
N NOT ior No Ano%~~ Mi ,,~,~ 80
enter the caucus.
From Senator Tillman 1t brought
forth a review of the Whole controversy,
in the course of which Senator oar
took occasion to express the opinion
that it was very doubtful whether both
the South Carolina seats in the senate
were not in reality vacant. He con-
| tende that when the designations were
offered last spring to the governor they
| could not thereafter be withdrawn, but
that they became Immediately OPERA
tive. He cited a precedent and sug-
| gested that the committee on privil-
| eyes and elections should look into the
matter.
The climax came when Senator Till
man challenged Senator McLaurin to
join with him in preparing their joint
designations and handing them to the
presiding officer of the senate. This
challenge, however, Senator McLaurin
did not accept and the episode was
brought to an abrupt close by a motion
of Senator Lodge that the senate go
into executive session.
At the conclusion of the morning
business there was something of a stir
in the chamber when senator McLaurin
nf South Carolina. arose to a question
of personal privilege. He had before
him a huge pile of manuscript. Il arise
to a question Of personal privilege in
connection with the published state
ment that I am excluded from partici-
patton in the democratic party" he IN
nounced. With evidence of considerable
emotion he proceeded to explain that
If such was the case and if he was to
be without assignment upon committees
the right of his state which he in part
represented in the senate would suffer
The personal effect of an exclusion from
representation on committees, he said
was not of SO much Importance as its
effect upon the state OF South Carolina
The only notice he had ever had, he
said. that he was to be excluded from
the democratic caucus came last spring
before the adjournment Of the senate
when he was accoSted by the chairman
of the democratic national committe:
in the cloak room and asked why h
no longer attended the democratic eau
cuses. Senator McLaurin said he ha
replied that in view of his opinion o
the questions growing out of the Span
tsh war he thought that his presence
might be embarrassing. The demo
cratic chairman had replied: "Thel
perhaps, it would be less embarraSsin
to you not to be invited to the caucus?
Senator McLaurin said he had re
piled: Certainly"
This incident Senator McLaurin de
clared was the elimination of a loni
series of events in a contest waged b.
an element Of the democratic part,
, against him.
BY this time the entire senate was in
, terested. Several republicans crosse
: the political aisle to the democratic sid
= in order to better listen to what Sena
tor McLaurin had to say.
Continuing. Senator McLaurin said h
: would be silent. did he not fear that tn
movement against him was one TO kee
y alive s~ectionalism. For nan years tn
|, people of the south had realized tina
they had not obtained their fair shar
of the national benefits.
Senator L recalled the fac
that although Samuel j. Randall ha
advocated a protective tariff he ha
been voted for in a democratic nations
convention for president. Hancock, a
though he declared that the tariff wa
a local issue. had been nominated fl
q president and David B. Hill althoug
e he opposed the income tax had not bee
9 read out of the democratic party.
The holding of such views by nortl
ern men. no matter how diverse. d
not endanger the position of certai
political leaders, and, consequent
they were immune from attack; bl
! when a southern man, said Senator VI,
- Laurin. tried to get the benefit of II
a tariff for his people, those whose polit
cal career might be ended by the su
cess of his. efforts were ready to crus
). and humiliate him. He had contend,
- that if the tariff was a robbery h
section should share in the booty. Ups
- the issue of that speech he had. late
= gone into a campaign in South CaroliI
and although his democracy had be
attacked upon the stump, the people
his state had endorsed him. He d
=, clared hat during that campait
"calumny. falsehood and trucker,
never before eQualed in American Pc
tics had been employed. n now [
principal charge against him was tn
ef during the Mckinley administration
rs had been bought by patronage" a
l. that he had renewed his former CO
T. tract with President Roosevelt.
w Entartoinin0 tho hioh p1rcanol roOa