The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-06-05
EsIGNlTIOHs NOT ACCEPTED.
Gov. MeSwssnsy Returns Letters to
Senator's TiIIman and MeLaurin.
SAYS He will Immediately Appoint Their
Successors if designations are Made
Internationally.
From the State.

From the Staate.
Columbia, May, 31.-Gov. McSwee-
ney has returned the designations OF
the senators. This action created as
much Of a sensation as the Gafney
episode itself. There we're a number
of letters awaiting the governors ar
rival from Chickamauga, and every
one which touched upon the senatorial
rumpus begged him to take action to
prevent a campaign this summer.
The governor stated that he himself IS
opposed to campaign in an off year.
TO representative of The State ne
said: These gentlemen, I see by the
newspapers, are unable to agree upon
the terms of the resignation. One
wants a campaign in August and the
other considers thatsthe canvass cannot
be held before the 154h of September:
The people Of the State have appealed
20 me to return the designations, and
q have done so. If they want to resign
The Offices, let them say so and make
the designations effective Immediately.
Z would appoint their successors IN
less than two minutes and half.
The governor stated that all sorts OF
propositions had been made, but he
thought this the best course. He had
been approached to tender his resigna-
ton as governor IN order TO become
senator himself and to let Lieut.. Gov.
Jas. 81. Tillman become governor,
and he had also been urged to accept
the designations, the vacancies to be
supplied upon the result Of the Demo
cratic primary.
Following is the governors letter, a
copy of which was sent to each sena-
tor:
Gentlemen Your letter rendering
your resignation rs United States SEN
ators on the eve of my departure to
Chickamauga to take part in the cere-
monies incident to the unveiling of
the monument which South Carolina
has just erected to her brave and
heroic soldiers who lost their lives IN
defence of pricniple on this historic
battlefield. Hence my delay IN ac-
knowledging it.
respectfully return your resigna-
tions that you may have more time for
serious consideration OF the effects
upon the people Of this State of this
action on your part. The commission
which you hold is the highest compli-
ment and testimonial which the people
of this State can pay to one Of It's citl-
zens. It is possible that you have
taken this step hastily in the heat of
debate and without due reflection of
the consequences to the people who
have so signally honored you.
It is only last year that our people
had the excitement and turmoil incl
dent to a campaign, and in another
year weEwill be in the midst of further
political strife. The people are enti-
tied to one year of peace and freedom
and from political battles and bitter
ness. The indications are that a cam
paign snch as would be precipitated
by vacancies in these two exalted po-
sitions would be a very acrimonious
one and personal rather than discus
sion of issues, and from such can
vass our people should be spared. In
fact it would be calamity t. the State
to be torn asunder by heated can
Fass in this "of year. in politics.
There can be no possible good to come
of it.
The people of the State are getting
together and working for the advance
ment and upbuilding of the material
prosperity of the commonwealth, and l
should regret anything that would re-
tard this progress.
tits not my purpose in thus writing
TO prevent the fullest and freest discuss
ion OF all public questions and the ed
rcation of the people along all politi-
cal lines. On the contrary, I heartily
favor that and believe it can be best
accomplished without the bitterness
and the personalities which would be
inseparable from campaign during
the coming summer. Under our party
rules a campaign will be necessary
within little more than a year. and
ample time can be had for full dis
cussion Of the issues now before the
people.
Holding these views and looking to
the interests of the people of this
State-their peace, prosperity and
happiness-I respectfully decline to
accept your designations and beg to
return them herewith.
I have the honor to be, etc.