The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-06-04
Wants Ii Understood His Action Is
Not Because IN Bird i'm Hand Is
Worth Two i'm the Bush"
THINKS LIKE THE GOVERNOR
THAT THE PEOPLE WANT ONE YEAR
OF POLITICAL PEACE,
And, Therefore, for the Prosperity
VIII Not Make Campaign.

COLUMBIA. S. c., June S.-Governor Me-
Sweeney to-day received the following let
ter from Senator McLaurin
MY Dear Sir-Your letter of the 31st of
May, in which you decline TO accept my
resignation as United States senator, Is
received.
The grounds upon which your declina-
ton is predicated are that the people are
from political battles and bitterness. ana
that campaign this year would be u
calamity TO the State, which would be torn
asunder by heated canvass in the of year
IL politics, without any possible good to
come OF IT,. AS an additional reason, you
suggest that any disturbance OF the har-
mony or the people in their work for the
advancement of the material prosperity Of
progress.
Il appreciate fully the force oe the rea-
sons given by you and the effect upon the
people of the State OF a heated and strife
producing contest for United States SEN
ator this year. For the sake of the peace.
prosperity and happiness OF the people OF
this State, L am willing to hold on TO my
commission as United States senator and
to continue to serve the State as l have
done in the past TO the best my ability.
But in retaining my seat in the Senate L
will not consent 10 be handicapped or
bossed by any one claiming right to
judge my motives and actions. L propose
10 exercise my judgment on all national
questions under the influence of a high
sense of responsibility 70 the people and
pO-
litical and material interests of the State.
/ recognize fully my accounta bility to the
sovereign people and am always ready to
give a strict account of my official acts 10
them.
your suggestion that II is not your pur-
pose by your official action to prevent the
full and freeSt discussion of all public ques-
lions and the education of the people along
al political lines, IL in accord with your
patriotic course in reference TO the resig
nations. The people are entitled to hear
both sides of these questions and TO form
a judgment. Personalities and bitterness
in a joint debate would interfere with a
fair and full discussion of them, and in
stead of educating would mislead and de-
ceive them. All that have claimed is this
right OF the people and my right to en-
tighten them on these questions whenever
called upon. In my effort to do this l was
interfered with by the senior senator. who
affirmed that my doctrines were political
heresies and hurtful 10 the people
MY wish is that all public questions may
be freely and fully discussed before the
people. and | will he content to abide by
their decision upon them. In consenting to
hold on to my commission / wish IL under
stood that it is in response to your patriotic
appeal that IL Is for the good of the State.
and not because / feared to go before the
people and discuss with the senior senator
or others the national issues of the day. I
public servant of the people. and it
H. my duty and pleasure ALWAYS 10 promote
their interests in every way l can"