The age-herald., 1901-06-02
He Writes a Rather Warm Let- ter Regarding the Matter
 to GOV McSWeeney
DID NOT ACT ILL-ADVSEDLY
The Senator Says He Rendered His Resignation in Order to Get Sem ator McLaurin to Resign, and
 Will Stick To It.

Columbia. S. C., June 1.-Senator Tirl- man has declined to withdraw his resig- nation. and says that Governor Mo- sweeny transcended his authority in send ing the resignations back to the Sena- tors
 Senator Tillman has written an open letter, which has not yet reached the Governor. in which he says, in part:
 Your excellency. of course. has the right, and it is entirely proper, to return my resignation and advise more serious consideration. In declining to accept I am sure you have transcended your au- thority. It will take very little investi- gation and reflection to convince you of this. You cannot compel a member of the United States Senate to hold his com mission and exercise the functions of that office if he chooses to surrender it. My action in rendering my resignation, while nasty, was not ill-advised and am fully and firmly convinced of the wisdom of my course upon reflection.
 Personally, I had nothing to gain and everything to lose, and do not feel the need of further instructions or vindica- ton. because I had just been reelected by the people with practical unanimity. I offered to resign in order to bring about the resignation of my colleague and thus put us on a level with equal rights to go before the people and ask an endorse ment of our respective courses It is somwhat remarkable that you should ask the Senators who have resigned to take time to consider, when you yourself are reported to be ready to appoint two Sem ators in two minutes and a half after re- | ceiving an immediate resignation. | Principle, Not Policy. l Your conception of the office of SC ator and it's powers can be best under stood by the ease with which you think you could fill 1t. It was not my fault that an immediate resignation was not sent you. You declare that the people are en- titled to one year of peace and freedom from political battles and bitterness I a ready to acknowledge that this Is very desirable. but our race has ever thought war preferable to dishonor. and unless I am very much deceived, large majority of the people of South Carolina would be glad of the opportunity to have those principles and policies which they support Loyalty represented in the Congress of the United States.
 T am aware that there is strong opposi- ton In certain quarters to a campaign in this off year to fill two vacancies in the Senate. Many minimizing citizens do not know its importance. Many would-be aspirants are not just ready for various reasons to enter the contest brought on so unexpectedly, and it is not convenient and suitable, and therefore, they have, no doubt, importuned your excellency to await their convenience, claiming that it Is for the public welfare.
 "On the other hand, 1t might be stated that the session of Congress beginning next December marks an era in the his- tory of our republic, and the patriots vino will then and there inaugurate a struggle for the restoration of the old landmarks and the preservation of our free institu- tions will need every voice and vote that can be had The fact that the Republi- cans have a good majority in the Senate does not alter the case in the least The recent decision of the Supreme Court promulgating the damnable doctrine that this Republic, whose bedrock principle is the consent of the governed. can acquire by conquest or purchase territories and peoples. to be controlled and taxed with out representation through Congressional absolutism,' must be met and exposed and plans must be laid for a battle to the death by the lovers of democracy and liberty against this heresy.
 Represents the People.
 'T claim to represent the people and to voice their wishes. The result of the Gaffney meeting had brought Senator McLaurin within reach of his constitu- ents, and it was to obtain this answer at once that prompted my conduct at Gaff- ney.
 Your excellencys action gives him a loophole and the censure and blame must rest where 1t belongs There is noth- ing personal in my attitude toward Me Laurin Nothing but a sense of duty forces me to the course have pursued. Material prosperity and progress may be worth more than strict adherence to prin- ciple and loyalty to trust, but cannot see it in that light.
 Holding this view I decline for the present to withdraw my resignation. It was rendered In order to secure the res- ignation of Senator McLaurfn. and will not be withdrawn until he shall have shown his unwillingness to let our people pass upon his conduct this year instead of next He declares in his latest interview that he will speak on such invitations as he did at Gaffney when possible, and will not consent to any interference by Sen ator Tillman or anybody else Whether or not MT McLaurin will be allowed to do this remains to be seen If the people have a right to hear him, the same people have right to hear me and others. He no longer seems to have anxiety about his health and if allowed to speak by himself, rather enjoys the prospect"