The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-12-11
KcLAURIN's WHINE.


member four things before making up
their minds about the whine Mr.. McLau
rim put up in the Senate on Monday be-
cause the newspapers had printed that
they had heard somebody say that Sem
ator Jones had told Republican Senator
that he did not think the Democratic
caucus would provide for McLaurin in the
assignment of committees They are
l. Senator McLaurin has not attended a
Democratic caucus for two years, volun-
tarily staying away and declining to take
any part in them.
g Before Congress adjourned at the last
session, the papers quoted him as tell
ing Senator Jones that it was not his pyr-
pose to attend the Democratic caucus or
be bound by its action.
8. Since that time he has taken occa-
sion in long winded and dull public
speeches to declare himself on the Re-
publican side of every public question
that IS of issue.
f. He has become the recognized Of
fetal dispenser of Federal patronage in
his State joining hands there with all
strong Republican party.
We do not state these facts to reflect
upon Mr.. McLaurin. He has an lndoubted
right to pursue the course that he has
marked out for himself. 1t is our con-
viction, however, that having been elect
ed as Democrat, he ought to resign his
seat when he becomes an administration
Senator. But we waive that point If
he believes that having been elected for
six years il is his duty to serve out his
term, he ought at least to have the de-
cency not to complain of being read out OF
the party when he has publicly read him
self out of the Senate caucus and out of
harmony with the declarations OF the
party. After such action, the surprise is
that the Democratic caucus did not meet
and expel him.
Upon the Senate committees the Re-
publicans have majority and the DEM
ocrats a minority. Legislation is practi-
cally shaped, as every well informed man
knows, by the committees. Each party,
therefore, wants full representation upon
committees. Let us suppose that the
,I,1 Nv cI IL
rim and give him place on an important
committee, what committee would st
be? He could not be placed on the Com
merce committee, for Frye's subsidy bill
is before that committee, and McLaurin is
a Republican on the subsidy bill. Upon
the Finance committee he could not be
revenue and tariff legislation, and Nc
Laurin is Republican on the tariff. The
Committee on Foreign Affairs would not
do for him, for upon the question of i'm
perialism, colonies and the like McLaurin
is a Republican. These are the three
important committees in the Senate, but
kindred matters to these above enumer-
ated will probably come up before every
Senate committee. If MIR. -McLaurin is
put upon them as a Democrat, his record
and speeches show that he will vote with
the Republican majority every time. How
could he represent Democratic sentiment
uron any committee?
The practical result of placing Mr.. Nc
Laurin on any committee as Demo-
crat would be to see this result: if there
are four Republicans and three Demo-
Gratis ON the committee and there is di-
vision on party lines, the report would be
made to the Senate thus: -Four Republi-
cans and one Democrat favor this or that
bill and two Democrats oppose it, thus
advertising split in the Democratic par
ty which does not exist. To permit such
a dishonest advertisement of lack of
party harmony would be the height of bad
politics, as we'll as absolute dishonesty.
We hope the Democratic Senators will
meet the issue clearly and say to Mr..
McLaurin: IF you will renounce the Re-
publican policy of subsidies, tariff and
Imperialism, quit being the dispenser of
Republican patronage in your Stats and
agree to abide by the Democratic caucus,
the doors are open to you to return"
If he refuses to be subject to the action
Of the caucus and vote with his Demo-
cratic colleagues, he ought not to be
permitted to represent Democracy on any
committee any sooner than ought Mr..
Mark Hanna.
Why is it that Mr.. McLaurin continues
to speak and vote with the Republicans
and still claims to be a Democrat? The
answer is that if he proclaimed himself
a Republican he could not run in the
primaries in South Carolina for Senator
ship. AS Republican in South Carolina,
he could do the Democratic party no
harm. If he poses as Democrat, while
preaching Republican doctrine, he can
work it injury. That's the secret of his
present attitude.