The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-10
TILLMAN M'LAURIN
THEIR DIFFERENCES AIRED IN
THE SENATE.
SOME NICE POINTS RAISED.
HAVING ONCE RESIGNED ARE
THEY NOW SENATORS.


Conduct and show Conspiracy in
His Party Against Him-He Gets "a
Sarcastic Call Down from Senator
Jones and Reply from Senator
TiIIman-The Latter Issues
Challenge for Both to Resign and
Go Before the People, but McLaur-
in Dared Not Take Ii Up.
Washington, Dec. 9.-The Senate
chamber was the scene of a highly dra-
matte episode to-day, when Senator
Tillman of South Carolina challenged
his colleague, Senator McLaurin, to re-
sign with him on the spot in order, as
Senator Tillman said, that they
might be able to wash their dirty linen
at home" Mr. McLaurin did not take
up the gauge.
The exciting clash between the two
senators to-day 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 to-
day and proceeded 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 Democratic leaders. He de-
clared that he was being Inundated,
and according to public prints, was to
be excluded from the Democratic eau
Gus because he had acted upon certain
public issues in a way which he con-
sidered was for the best interests of
the country and the people of his state.
He announced himself a believer in the
old Democracy, and after denouncing
the new Democratic leaders, who he
said, had brought destruction upon the
party declared that he could not be
driven from his old allegiance into
party with which he did not care to
affiliate.
Senator McLaurin's statement drew
the fire of Senator Jones, chairman
of the Democratic National Committee,
who denied that he had any ulterior
motives in not inviting Mr.. McLaurin
to enter the caucus.
From Senator Tillman it brought
forth a review of the whole contro-
.versy, in the course of which Senator
Hoar took occasion to express the opin-
ion that it was very doubtful whether
both the South Carolina seats in the
Senate were not in reality vacant. He
contended that when the designations
were offered last spring to the Gov
ernor they could not thereafter be
withdrawn, but that they became inn
mediately operative. He cited prece-
dent and suggested that the Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections should
look into the matter. The climax came
when Senator Tillman challenged Sem
ator McLaurin to join with him IN
preparing their joint designations ana
handing them to the presiding ofhcer
of the Senate. This challenge, how
ever, Senator McLaurin did not ac-
cept, and the episode was brought to
an abrupt close by a motion OF Sena-
tor Lodge that the Senate go into ex-
ecutive session.
McLaurin starts the Racket.
At the conclusion of the morning
business there was something of a stir
in the chamber when Mr.. McUaurin
arose to a question of personal prlVl-
lege. He had before him huge pile
of manuscript. Il arise to quesuoh
of personal privilege in connection with
the published statement that l have
been excluded from participation in the
Democratic party" he announced.
With evidence of considerable emotion,
he proceeded to say that II such was
the case and if he was to be without
assignment upon committees, the right
of his state, which he in part repre-
sented 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
committee in the cloak room and ask
ed why he no longer attended the
Democratic caucuses Mr.. McLaurin
said he had replied that in view of his
opinion of the questions growing out
of the Spanish war he thought that
his presence might be embarrassing.
The Democratic chairman had replied:
Then, perhaps, it would be less en-
barrassing to you not to be invited to
the caucus?"
Senator McLaurin said he had re-
piled, Certainly"
This incident, Mr.. McLaurin declar-
ed, was the elimination of a long Sc
ries of events in a contest waged by
an element of the Democratic party
against him.
BY. this time the entire Senate was
interested. Several Republicans cross
ed the political aisle to the Democratic
side so they could better hear what Mr..
McLaurin had to say.
Puts Ii ON Sectional Basis.
Continuing, Mr.. McLaurin said he
would be silent did he not fear that
the movement against him was one to
keep alive sectionalism. For many
years the people of the South had
realized they had not obtained their
fair share of the national benefits. He
recalled the fact that although Samuel
j. Randall had advocated a protective
tariff, he had been voted for in DEM
ocratic national convention for Presi-
dent Hancock, although he declared
that the tariff was a local issue, had
been nominated for President and
David b. Hill, although he opposed the
income tax, had not been read out of
the Democratic party.
The holding of such views by North
ern men, no matter how diverse, did
not endanger the position of certain
political leaders, and consequently they
We're immune from attack. But, when
Southern man, said Mr.. McLaurin.
tried TO get the benefit of the tariff
Tor his people, those whose political
career might be ended by the success
Of his efforts were ready to crush and
humiliate him. He had contended that
II the tariff was a robbery his section
oil II. 4 . -