The Penn's Grove record., 1901-05-31
FIGHT IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Both Tillman and MoLaurin Resign
From the Senate.
Action is the Outcome of n Warm Joint
Debate in which Charges and
Countercharges Were Made.

Columbia, >. CAS- the outcome VI
a spirited debate between United
States Senators b. II. Tillman and
John L. McLaurin at Gaffney both of
them have put their designations in
the hands of Governor insolvency,
to take effect September 10. They
have resigned with the understanding
that they are to go before the people
of the State in a joint canvass and the
sentiment of the people is to be eX-
pressed in the vote In q Democratic
primary to be held in November.
The meeting at Gaffney was ar
ranged for McLaurin by some of his
friends and others who wished to
hear his views on the great National
questions. Senator Tillman was later
invited by the County Executive Com
mittee TO speak. He had been hank
| erlng' he said to get at McLaurin. and
it was through his individual efforts
that the joint debate was arranged.
Tillman excused his participation in
the meeting when he was not a can
didate by saying that he was recog-
nized as a leader In this State, and he
considered It his duty to appear be-
fore the people and warn them when
traitors and hypocrites appeared be-
fore them.
If McLaurin was q Democrat, he
said, he was not, and the only decent
thing for McLaurin to do when he
could not stand on the platform on
which he was elected was to resign.
The Senator said McLaurin had stolen
the sermon of the Rev. DR.. Van Dyke
Of New York City. He attacked Nc
Laurin's political record ever since
be had been in the Senate.
McLaurin came back at Tillman
with unexpected fire. He had wished,
he said, to keep the campaign on a
high plane. but it was evident he
would not be allowed to do so. Till
man accused him of stealing a SER
mon. If there was truth in the many
charges floating around South Caro-
ina, he added, Tillman had stolen
much more valuable things. Tillman,
ne said, was a nilly; but he had sized
aim up years ago and knew how to
meet him. Tillman's conduct was
brutal and his name of forcing HIM
self on this meeting was indecent.
The insinuation that he (McLaurin)
was handling any of Mark Hanna's
money, he continued. was a falsehood,
and unworthy of Il Senator and a gem
.leman. Mr.. McLaurin asked: why
iocs not Tinman offer to resign If I'm
elected? He says if I'm elected, the
people will repudiatc him. No! You'll
not find Benjamin resigning. He is
not that sort"
Tillman, who was sitting near,
;prang up and said: "Ill resign right
low, if you will, and we will go be-
fore the people together" Senator
McLaurin said he was willing.
Senator Tillman said, Draw up the
papers and we will sign right now"
Agreed" shouted McLaurin.
The Senators almost Immediately re-
fred from the stand. Tillman went
20 a lawyers office and drew up a res
.gnatlon in joint form, and asking the
Governor not to appoint their success
DIS until the people could vote in a
primary and recommend the men to
i'll the Office. He signed this and sent
t by a friend and half a dozen CORE
;pondents to Senator McLaurin's
house. The junior Senator amended
t by adding, THE campaign is TO be
between B. r. Tillman and John J..
McLaurin for the long term of office
which the former resigns and TO be
leld during the months of October and
November"
Mr.. Tillman rejected this because it
vas debating to the committee, and
here were no conditions in the agree
nent at the meeting. There was coun-
.er correspondence, Mr.. Tillman final
Y writing that he had called Mr.. Nc
Laurin's bluff, ard that now the junior
Senator wanted to back out.
"Will you or will you not stand by
The pledge you made on the stand?' he
wrote.
Mr.. McLaurin gave as his reason for
wishing that the campaign should take
place in the fall that his health would
lot permit n summer canvass of the
State. 1t was finally agreed that both
should resign, to take effect Septem-
Der 10.
Tillman was last summer reelected
10 the United States Senate for six
gears, and McLaurin has yet two years
20 serve. Should Tillman be sustained
McLaurln's seat will be vacant; if Nc
Laurin Is successful he will succeed
TO Tillman's long term.