The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-06-05
S0.HE TELLS McSWEENEY
Holds on to the Senatorship For the
Peoples Good.
THIS HE WANTS CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD
And Not Because He Fears 10 Discuss With
the Senior Senator or Others TIE
National lssuss of The
(By the ASSOCIATED Press. }

Columbia, S. c.. June 3.-Senator Nc
Laurin, under date of Bennettsville, S. G.,
has written Governor insolvency the fol-
lowing letter acceding to the Governors
request that he withdraw his resignation:
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 declin-
alton is predicated are that the people are
entitled to one year of peace and free
dom from political battles and bitterness,
and that a campaign this year would be
a calamity to the State to be torn asund-
er by heated canvass in the off year in
politics without any possible good to come
of 1t.
"As an additional reason, you suggest
that any disturbance of the harmony Of
the people in their work for the achieve
ment of the material prosperity of the
State might result in retarding this prog
ress. l appreciate fully the force of the
reasons given by you and the affects upon
the neople of the State of heated and
strife producing contest for United States
Senator this year. For the sake of
peace. prosperity and happiness of the
people Of this State, l am willing to hold
on TO my commission of United States
Senator end to continue to serve the
State IS I have done in the past to the
best of my ability.
but in retaining my seat in the Sen
ate, | VIII not consent to be handicapped
or 'bcssed by anyone claiming a right
to Judge ny motives and actions. l pro-
pose TO exercise my judgment on all ma
tional questions under the influence of
high sense Of responsibility to the people
and to work for tie uobuilding of the
political ard material interest of my
State. / recognize fully my accounta-
bility to the sovereign people and am al
ways ready to give a strict account of my
official acts to them. Your suggestion
that it is not your purpose in your Off
cial action to prevent the fullest and
freest discussion CT all public questions,
and tire education CT the people along all
political lines IS in accord with your
patriotic course in reference to the resig
natiors.
THE people are entitled to hear both
sides of these questions and to form judg-
ment. Personalities and bitterness in a
joint debate would interfere with fair
and full discussion of them, and, in
stead Of educating, would mslead and
deceive them All that | have claimed
is this right Of the people and my right
TO cnlightcn them on these questions
whenever called upon.
'Jn nv Efforts to do this | was inter-
fered with by the senior Senator who
affirmed that ny doctrines were political
beresics aGd hurtful to the people My
wish is that all public questions may be
freely and fully discussed before the peo-
PIE. end I will be content to abide by
their decision upon them. IN conserving
TO hold on % my commission, wish it
understood that ii is in response to your
ap~eal that it is fer the good of the
State, and not because | fe; I'D to go
before the Teorlc and discuss with the
senior Souatcr or others the national is
sues of tho day. | am a public servant
of the rcorle and it is my duty and
pleasure alwa"s to promote their inter-
ests in every way / can"