The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-05-30

Gafney, S. G., Speclal.-lt Is Ihe
unexpected that happens so often IN
South Carolina politics, which hap
pened here Saturday. 1t came like
thunderbolt out Of clear sky, so un-
expected and sudden was the whole
thing. When the two United States
Senators agreed to meet in joint de-
bate, McLaurin to advocate his 'Com-
rercial Democracy" and Tillman to
attack il, no one dreamed the two
United States Senator'S would before
nightfall have their designations IN
transit to the governor.
Here up in a fourishing corner oil
the State, has occurred the most SEN
sational development of politics since
1890. Two Senators have uncondl-
tionally resigned. Tillman has just en-
tered upon a six year term and Nc
Laurin has until March 4, 1905, TO
serve without molestation, yet both
have resigned, effective September
10th in order that they might go be-
fore the people and test their strength,
the understanding being that this
test shall decide whether the people
endorse Senator McLaurin's Democ-
racy with its expansion, ship subsidy
and commercial ideas or that OF
Senator Nllman, with what McLaurln
calls his Bryan Democracy. Senator
McLaurin sought TO narrow the fierce
contest to Tillman and himself, where
as Senator Tillman insisted on resig
nation as originally proposed on the
ground that he could not dictate TO
the Democratic committee as to who
should be in the race or when it should
be. Both seemed eager to sign the res
igpation and about o'clock the paper
containing the dual resignation was
In the mail. 1t means that instead OF
the campaign coming next summer II
will be held this year, and 1t means
that Tlllman will be in the race for
his six year term and McLaurln for
reelection or for Tlllman's term as
he sees fit, but most likely for Till
mans term. Tillman in his speech had
hammered and hammered away at the
idea that McLaurin had betrayed the
true Democracy and that II he were
not a Republican he ought to be, for
he had supported all their propositions
and doctrines. Tillman urged that the
decent thing for McLaurin TO do-tae
only proper thing, was for him 10 re-
sign his position and go before the
people and if they endorsed him, be
returned, or stay at home if defeated.
McLaurin had deserted the party plat
form and ought to resign at once, he
persisted. Senator McLaurin in turn
inisted that he was a Democrat and
that on national issues he was free to
act with independence and did so.
Tillman said let McLaurin resign and
90 before the Democratic primary
this year and Ill go home and keep
my mouth shut and let the other fel-
lows attend to him IL you elect him Il
take il as notice that you don't want
me. II he is Democrat then am
not" Then, McLaurin, turning on
nYllman, suggested that Tllman al
ways found a bomb-proof, and then
Senator McLaurin went on to say:
"Oh yes, Tillman says why don't re-
sign? II I'm elected it will mean the
people don't want him, but he stopped
there: he is smart. You never catch
him committing himself too far. He did
not say if I'm elected he would resign.
Oh, YOU will never hear Of Benjamin
Tillman resigning. Senator Tillman
Jumped up and said: Il will sayt lt,anu
do sav it," Senator McLaurin:
Agreed" Tillman: "Pll resign right
now if you will, and We will go before
the people" McLaurin: Agreed.
Iillman: Draw up the paper and we'll
sign it right now" McLaurin: mat
suits me-" Later on in Tillman S I'VE
minutes reply, he remarked that he
would not reply to McLaurins charge
that he was brutal in his treatment
and indecent in harassing him as ne
did. they would both be before the
people soon and there would be no
need to discuss matters further here.
He was ready for the agreement at
once. McI.aurn: so am L. 1t was
soon after that the agreement and res
ignation were signed.
Senator Tillman went directly from
the court house 10 the law office OF
Mir. J. c. Outs and there dictated the
first formal resignation which he
signed. 1t reads as follows:
Gaifney. ). c.. May %. 1901.
His ExceIency Gov. NJ. 3. McSweeney,
Columbia, S. G.
Strive hereby tender our resig-
nations as Senators from South Caro-