The Savannah morning news., 1901-06-02
COME OFF THE PERCH
SAYS SENATOR TILLMAN TO GOV
8PSWEENEY.
EXCEEDED HIS AUTHORITY.
CANNOT COMPEL A MAN TO REMAIN
A SENATOR.

ernor That He Doubtless Mennt
Well. But That He Has Transcend
ed His AuthOrity-He Then Pro-
ceeds to Make a Long-Winded De-
tense of His Present Position and
Undertakes to show That a Cam
paign Now Is DesirabIe-He Talks
Right Sassy to the Governor.
Every Vote Will Be Needed at the
Next Session, He Says.
columbia, S. c., June 1.-Senator TILL
man has declined to withdraw his resig-
nation and charges that Gov. McSweeney
+ranscended his authority in sending the
resienations back to the senators.
Senator THllman has written an open
letter. which has not yet reached the
Governor. in which he says in part:
your excellency, of course, has the
right. and it is entirely proper to return
nv resignation and advise more serious
consideration. In declining to accept.
an sure you have transcended your au-
thority 1t will take very little investiga-
tion and reflection to convince you of
this You cannot compel a member of
the United States Senate to hold his COM
mission and exercise the functions of that
Office if he chooses to surrender it. My
action in rendering my resignation, while
hastv was not I'D advised, and l am firm
Iv convinced of the wisdom of my course
upon reflection.
Personally, 1 had nothing to gain and
everything to lose, and 1 do not feel the
need of further instructions or vindica-
ton. because I had just been reelected
by the people with practical unanimity. l
offered to resign in order to bring about
the resignation of my colleague and thus
put US on a level, with equal rights to
20 before the people and ask an indorse-
rnent OF our respective courses. 1t is
somewhat remarkable that you should
ask the senator's who have resigned to
take time to consider, when you your
self are reported to be ready to appoint
two senator's in two minutes and a half
after receiving an immediate resignation
A shot at the Governor.
Your conception of the Office of sena-
tor and its powers can be best under
stood by the ease with which you think
you could ill it. 1t was not my fault
that an Immediate resignation was not
sent you. You declare that the people are
entitled to one year of peace and free
com from political battles and bitterness
l am ready to acknowledge that this is
very desirable, but our race has ever
thought war preferable to dishonor, ana
unless | am very much deceived, large
majority of the people of South Carolina
would be glad of an opportunity to have
those principles and policies which they
support Loyalty represented in the Con-
eress Of the United States.
i am aware that there is strong oppo-
slton in certain quarters to a campaign
IN this off year to fill two vacancies in
the Senate Many unthinking citizens do
not know its Importance. Many would-be
aSprants are not just yet ready for va
flous reasons to enter the contest brought
on so unexpectedly; it is not convenient
or suitable and. therefore, they have, no
doubt, importuned your excellency tc
await their convenience claiming that it
Is for the public welfare.
The Coming Contest.
On the other hand it might be re-
marked that the session of Congress be-
ginning next December marks an era in
he history of our republic and the pa
N-'7-'f w 4iD viii tHen ana InGIe lnduSu-
rate struggle for the restoration of the
oh landmarks and the preservation OF
our free institutions, will need every voice
ana every vote that can be had. The
lact that the Republicans have good
majority in the Senate does not alter the
vase IN the least. The recent decision OF
tne supreme Court promulgating the
uamnaole doctrine that this republic
whose bedrock principle is the consent oi
,He governed can acquire by conquest OF
purchase territories and peoples, TO be
controlled and taxed without representa-
t'on through congressional absolutism
.lust ne met and exposed, and plans must
" Ald for a battle to the death by the
overs Of Democracy and liberty against
this heresy.
claim to represent the people and
~ noIae their wishes. The result of the
IaHnoy meeting had brought Senator Nc
I'lh within reach of his constituents
Is Dl was to obtain this answer at once
vat prompted my conduct at Gaffney
,o, .o1t ENcelencys action gives him a
nsp"oe ana the censure or blame must
'esl Where it belongs.
mere is nothing personal in my atti-
h,. towards Senator McLaurin. Nothing
- NV d sense of duty forces me to the
- ~ have pursued. Material pros
- ana progress may be worth more
sp. Sr'J adherence to principle and 10y.
~. " trust, but l cannot see it in that
Why He Resigned.
-.nF noainF this view, I decline for the
70 withdraw my resignation. ii
-. 'naered in order to secure the resig-
@ OF senator McLaurin. and will not
.l,' vnarawn until he shall have shown
o".'iSness TO let our peope pass upon
h solauet this year. instead of next
,giares in his latest interview that
" speak on such invitations as he
Pdiiney when possible, and will
T'nsent to any Interference by Sena.
-"'.nan or anybody else Whether
,. o. lr McLaurin will be allowed tc
va 's remains to be seen. If the people
h.a "snt to hear him, the same peo-
mo- right TO hear me and others
lghser seems to have anxiety about
me- ''lh and II allowed to speak by
' rather enjoys the prospect"