Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-05-15

but we can DO no less In view Oh tne
malicious ISLANDERS he utters.
DAILY GROWING STRONGER.
The Better Senator McLaurin II
Understood the More Generally He
Is Endorsed-A Man of Conviction
and Steadfast Purposes.
Columbia Record, May 9:
Among the reunion visitors to Co.
lumbia is Mr.. ]. P. Gibson, veteran
newspaper man Of Marlboro county,
who as journalist has had much to do
with the politics Of the State, and es-
pecially Of the Sixth district. A Record
reporter met him this morning and
had long talk with him as to polit-
ical matters and especially as to Nc
Laurins status in his home county and
the district which sent him to congress
in 1892 and started him upon his career
in national politics. Mr.. Gibson said
McLaurin was misunderstood at first,
but this was due to the misrepresenta-
tions Of the papers inimical to him, but
that as his position Is becoming better
known, he Is steadily gaining strength.
He predicts that the speeches McLau-
rim Is to make at Greenville, Gaffney
and Spartanburg will be the best he
has ever made and will start the tide
flowing swiftly In his favor. His Char
lotte speech was a commercial address
at a social banquet Of business men,
and was therefore restricted in its
scope. It created an immense amount
Of talk and discussion, but the triad of
speeches he will deliver in the Pied
mont will be in response to direct in
vitations for speeches on the political
situation, and he will there not be at
all trammeled. Mr.. Gibson said:
Senator McLaurin is the most gen.
orally discussed statesman in the Uni
ted States, and this is no surprise to
those who know him intimately, for he
does his own thinking, formulates his
own plans and once settled In his con-
victions, nothing on earth could side
track or cause him to deviate from
what he conceives to be his correct line
Of duty. I know ]. L. McLaurin per-
haps as we'll If not better than any man
living, for he has long been my person.
al friend, and while not always agreed
on political measures, yet know that
in the beginning Of his political career
I had much to do in placing him in po-
litical positions Of honor, and he has al
ways expressed himself freely and hon
estly to me on all public questions. At
one time was severe in my criticisms
Of his political course, yet the friend
ship Of former times remained undim-
med and unchanged. I will right here
say that, after explaining his position,
a few days ago on political questions, I
am nearer in accord with him on the
political issues Of the nation than I
have been for a number Of years. His
position will be thoroughly explained at
Greenvile on the 22d instant; therefore
it would not be proper for me to give to
the public, in advance, what has been
related to me privately.
Much has been said about Senator
McLaurin desiring federal appoint
ment, etc., when it will be remembered
that he refused a fifteen thousand dol
lar appointment rendered by President
Mckinley, preferring to remain In the
United States senate, where he could
be Of more benefit to his native state.
Senator McLaurin has always valued
his independence more than anything
else, and I have seen him tried by fire.
"In 1890 owned and edited the off,
cial organ Of the Marlboro County AL
lance, and did more than ali other in
fluences to elect ]. L. McLaurin to the
legislature. We often discussed the sit
uation, and he told me then that many
Of his relatives were opposed to the
Reform movement, and while he was
uncertain as to. the result, yet he be-
lieved that the Reform cause was right
and just, and being a representative of
the young Democracy, and possessing
laudable ambition, he made up his
mind to make the canvass for the legis-
lature, endorsing fully the former plat
form, and was elected. Had not the
files of the Pee Dee Alliance been de-
stroyed by fire, I could today produce
many articles written by Mr.. McLau-
rim, signed x. Y. D., in which he urged
the farmers to demolish the court house
ring and themselves assume control of
the politics of the county and state.
Mr.. John B. McLaurin, an uncle Of the
senator, had no children and was very
wealthy, and like many other wealthy
and prominent gentlemen in this state,
hated Tillman and had no patience
with the Reform movement. He was
much mortified at the course pursued
by his nephew, and talked to me on the
subject, expressing the most intense in
dignation, and firmly declared that If
John L. continued in the Reform party
and ignored his wishes, he would not
leave him one cent Of his property. The
senator often talked to me Of his un-
cle's displeasure, but said that he be-
lieved he was right and would not sac
rifice his honest convictions for every
dollar of his uncle's vast fortune. But
before he died, Mr.. ]. B. McLaurin re-
Tented and left his nephew large por-
tion of his property.
II mention these facts to show that
Senator McLaurin is not Influenced by
money considerations, but adheres with
undying tenacity to what he believes
to be right, and for the best interest of
his country.
1.-THE report that Senator McLaurin's
health has broken Is all stuff and nom
sense. I saw him Tuesday and never
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