The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-05-29
THE ISSUE JOINED.

Carolina Will Oe InrONn lltO eIe
throes of political excitement
this, an off year, condition that
in our Judgment will not be help.
full to the business or political
interests of the State. Senator
McLaurin was invited by COM
mittee of citizens to speak at
Carney, and by another commit.
tee Senator Tillman was invited
to speak at the same place on the
same day. Both Senator's hold.
inc views on national issues at
varience with each other, a fur
flying" match was expected; the
500 people present were not dis
appointed. Senator McLaurin
opened in defense of his votes in
the United States Senate, and
Senator Tillman with his usual
bluntness endeavored to place
his colleague before the people
in the light of one who had drift
ed from Democratic moorings
into the haven of Republicanism.
These two statesman were well
matched, neither fearing the
other, and the audience accord
ing to the newspaper reports was
about equally divided. But the
sensational feature of the meet
inc came when Tillman declared
that McLaurin ought to resign.
McLaurin retorted, that Tillman
would not resign; smarting un-
der the taunt from the junior
Senator, Tillman replied that he
would do so if McLaurin would,
they both agreed and senta joint
resignation to Governor Nc
Sweeney to take effect Septem-
ber 18th. Without full informa-
tion as to all Of the circum-
stances, this act on the part of
these distinguished gentlemen
strikes US as being exceedingly
foolish-more like provoked chill
dren. It is to be deplored that
our representatives should have
allowed their personal feelings
to get wrought up tosuch a pitch
that they would precipitate an
extra primary election upon the
people in an off year. The peo-
ple complain, and Justly so, that
we have too many political con-
tests in this State, and to have
one forced upon them is not cal
culated to bring about much har-
mony, but the die is cast, and we
will have to suffer the conse-
ouences. Senator McLaurin in
the advocacy of his views is SIN
cerely endeavoriug to educate
the people to accept certain ideas
which he claims are not antago-
nistic to genuine Democratic
principles, and that they are for
the best interests of the people
of the South. He honestly be-
lieves that the conditions exist
ing now require commercial ex-
pansion, and that our clinging to
the methods as pursued by our
present Democratic leaders are
not progressive, but rather an
obstruction to the South's mater
ial welfare. He realizes that his
task is a herculean one, but that
does not daunt him in the least,
and if his physical condition will
permit, he proposes to make this
a campaign of education: ives sin
cerely hope that although this
extra primary is forced upon the
people, they will see to it, that
none of the candidates will be per
mitted to quit these important
issues to indulge in abuse. The
editor of this paper has been a
supporter Of both Senator's Till
man and McLaurin, and he re-
grets exceedingly that circum-
stances have brought about a
condition which will force him to
decide between the two, but when
we hear both and we are con-
vinced, we will cast our vote for
the man who we believe IS advo-
eating those measures which will
inure to the peoples benefit. We
are not going to be frightened by
the cry of "Republicanism," be-
cause our observation and ex-
perience has taught US that men
differ as to the meaning and ef-,
feet of that term, what we want
to know is, whether the questions
now in issue are for or against
the peoples interests.
The resignation of these two
Senators cannot accomplish any
purpose further than the relega-
ting of one or both to private
life, but if what McLaurin is ad-
vocating is for the benefit of the
people, and the business inter-
ests of the State seem to think
it is, the defeat of the junior Sen
ator will not settle the agitation,
because, if it is right, the people
will see it, and the agitation will
continue to grow until it is set
tied.
We would therefore urge the
people not to permit themselves
to become excited, but to en-
tighten themselves on the issues.
Do not let professional poll
ticians deceive you with the cry
Of "Republicanism, ort the mig
ger-in-the-wood- pile, "but keep in
mind that this is a contest in the
Democratic primary where ne