The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1901-06-07
SENATOR M'LAURIN
WRITES GOVERNOR
WITHDKAWs RESIGNATION BUT SAYS
HE'S NOT SCARED.
ho VIII Use His Own Judgment In voting
Upon National Questions, and VIII
Not bo BOsscd by Any Ono, Etc.
Tho State, Juno 4.


withdrawn his resignation. This will
now, no doubt, be followed by sim
liar action on the part of Senator
Tillman, who has already declared
that he would not withdraw his res
ignation until MoLaurin had done 80.
There. is some speculation as to
whothor or not Tillman will resign
next summer in order to meet Nc
Laurin and try conclusions in the
primary.
Governor McSweoney yesterday
received the following letter from
Senator NIcLaurin:
Bennettsville, S. c., June 1, 1901.
GovernorM. B. McSweeney.-Dear
Sir: Your letter of the 3lst of May,
in which you decline to accept my
resignation as United States Senator,
is received. The grounds upon which
your declination is predicated are,
that the people are "entitled to ono
year of peace and freedom from po-
litical battles and bitterness" and
that campaign this year would be a
calamity to the State to be torn
asunder by heated canvass in this
off year in politics without any pos
sible good to come of it. AS an adj
ditional reason you suggest that any
disturbance Of the harmony of the
| people in their work for the advance
ment of the material prosperity of
the State might result in retarding
this progress.
I appreciate fully tho force of the
reasons given by you, and the effects
upon the people Of the State of a
heated and strife producing contest
for United States Senator this year.
For the sake of the "peace, prosper
ity and happiness of the people of
this State," I am willing to hold on
to my commission as United States
Senator, and to continue to serve
the State as l have done in the past
to the "best of M ability" But in
retaining my seat in the senate,
will not consent to be handicapped
or "bossed" by any ono claiming a
right to judge my motives and action.
propose to exercise my judgment
on all National questions under the
influence of high sense of RESPONSE
bility to the people, and to work for
the upbuilding of the political and
material interest of my State. /
recognize fully my accountability to
the sovereign people, and am always
ready to give strict account of my
Official acts to them.
Your suggestion that it is not your
purpose by your official action "to
prevent the fullest and freest discus
sion of all public questions and the
education of the people along all
Epolitical lines" is in accord with your
patriotic course in reference to the
designations. The people are entitled
to hear both sides of these questions
and'to form judgment. Personali-
ties and bitterness in q joint debate
would interfere with fair and full
discussion Of them, and instead of
educating would mislead and deceive
them. All that T have claimed is
this right Of the people and my right
to enlighten them on these questions
whenever called upon. In my effort
to do this, I was interfered with by
the senior senator, who affirmed that
my doctrines were political heresles
and hurtful to the people. My wish
is that all public questions may be
freely and fully discussed before the
people and will be content to abide
their decision upon them.
| In consenting to hold my commits.
sion, wish it understood that it ie
in response to your patriotic appeal
that it is for the good of the State
and not because I feared to go be.
fore the people and discuss with the
senior senator or others the national
issues of the day. L am a public
servant of the people and it is my
duty and pleasure always to promote
their interests in every way can.
I have the honor to be, etc.
John L. MoLaurin.