The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-03-13
McLAURIN,
THE REPUBLICAN,.
Has Himself Read Out of the
Democratic Party

dppSas!uS5 AZ sG0 A''"S'o N"-'o|i'N
tion of yesterday, will be CT pecr-
liar interest to the people Of South
Carolina
"sena:or McL2ulin of South Csro-
lima is no longer Democrat. His
name has been stricken from the
Democratic caucus roll, end this bas
been done With the endorsement of
the gentleman himself
"senafor McLsurin has, in fact.
virtually read himself out of the
party which elected him 20 the posi-
ton he now holds Whether he is
to be classed as independent or
Republican, or whether he will
prefer to retain the title Democrat in
the official congressional directory is
something for the senator himself to
determine AS has been stated,
however, he is no longer oD the Dem
ocrstic caucus rolls
"For some time the junior senator
from South Carolina has been voting
with the Republicans OF every oc
casion where there wss division on
anything like political lines. To
Democratic friends who have spoken
with him on the subject he has
conteuted himself with declaring
that his votes were in accordance
with his conscientious idea of what
was correct, and has said that be
would continue to vote as he thought
right. despite all the criticisms Of his
Democratic colleagues Indeed,
these criticisms from other Demo-
Gratis seem to have aroused his
resentment TO such degree es to
make him vote with the Republicans
oftener. perhaps, than be would
otherwise have done ae has up 10
the present declared that ne was
Democrat and that 1t would be found,
when the matter came to test, that
his votes met the approval Of the
most progressive element Of south
ern Democracy Now, however, be
has formally separated himself from
his party
"WheD Senator Jones, as chair
man of the Democratic steering
committee, began sending oct his
notices for the caucus of Democratic
senators held last week, be was
undecided ss to whether he should
send notice to Senator McLsurin
or should not The South Carolina
senator had SO completely broken off
his relations with bis fellow Demo
Gratis and had so consistently voted
With the Republicans. even support
ing the Philippine amendment to the
army Dill. that Senator Jones vas
doubtful Of his status, and according
ly consulted several of his fellow
Democrats, asking them what course
be should pursue toward Senator
The matter was discuss
ed at some length, and it was fually
decided that the best possible way
to solve the problem would be for
Senator Jones to consult the wishes
of Senator McLaurin
This the Arkansas senator did,
making it plain that the matter of
party afiliasions was entirely in the
South Caroiaian's own hands
"Senator McLanrin asked that his
name be stricken from the caucus
rolls. He said be cid not care 10 go
into Democratic caucuses in the
future, and that ne would break off
all political associations with his late
party associates
"This act on his part will probably
make a lote of difference in Senator
political future lie has
determined 10 be candidate 20
spccee3 himself in the senate, and
has teen expecting TO make the race
in the Democratic primaries. count
ing on securing the support OF the
manufacturing cities and towns Of
his State. and believing that this
support would be Sufficient to oriog
about his election As Republican
be could have absolutely 20 chance
of election al the bands OF e legisla-
ture which will be Overwhelmingly
Democratic ; and IS sn independent
he would stand little or nc show in
toe Democratic primaries PTacti
cally all Of The white people OF South
Carolina ere affiliated with the Demo
cratic organization, and .heTe is ap-
parently no place on the list of Office
holders for either Republicans OF
independents
.Senstor McLaurin' 8 act IL disssso-
ciasing himself from his party places
bin in the same category with Scna
tor Jones Of Nevada, Senator Teller
of Colorado and Senator Wellington
os Maryland Senator Jones is
Republican on the tariff and 90 al
most everything else except the
money question. but be prefers to