The Savannah morning news., 1901-04-22

In Joint Debate Surprises the
McLaurin's Ability and Courage to
Live Up 10 His Convictions. -
stated at Charlotte, Expressed by
Politicians on Both sides.
Washington, D. c.. April 2.-South
Carolina politics is just now occupying
the center OF the national stage by res-
son of the bitter personal contention be-
tween two United States senator's from
the Palmetto state. Senator McLaurin's
recent speech a Charlotte, when he prao-
tically put himself outside of the reg
ulsr Democratic party, has called forth
stinsing rebuke from Senator Tiilmau,
accompanied by challenge from the lat
ter 20 go before the people of South Car
olna and fight out the issue on the stump.
Senator McLsurin has repea tedly de-
clared that he proposed to go before the
people of his state and explain why he
voted with the Republican party in the
Senate last winter on nearly every ma
tional question. 1t was thought that he
was counting joint debate with his col
league, Senator Tiilman. who publicly and
privately denounces the course OF his
young colleague.
The announcement that Senator McIsu-
rim refuses to meet Tillman in joint dig
cussion is surprise to politicians in
Washington, who arc watching the South
Carolina struggle with the keenest in
terest. 1t seems almost impossible to
keep the two South Carolina senators
apart during the coming campaign In
that state, for Tillman is not the man
to he balked by an ordinary deciination
on the pant OF McLaurin to engage in "A
joint debate. The latter is sensitive to a
high degree. and It Is believed that he
VIII not require much urging from his
friends to enter the political ring with
his trough and tumble" colleague. Such
bout would naturally be attended by
sensational results, and politicians, with
out regard to party, anticipate the most
exciting and memorable campaign that
has ever taken place In that state.
McLaurin viii Have to Explain.
Senator McIaurin's friends declare that
he cannot expect to be returned to the
Senate unless he can give a complete and
acceptable explanation OF his afihation
with the Republican party. II he shows
the white feather now In the face of Sen
HOT 11itfna n 8 Dold denance, IL Is not DIM
cult to sec his finish. Some OF the most
conservative Representatives of the Demo-
cratic party are deeply concerned over the
political situation In the South, and tho
South Carolina incident is attracting the
attention of Democrats from all sections
of the country. A Democratic congress-
man who is familiar with the situation
remarked to-day that while II may be true
that Senator McLaurin voices the senti-
ments of a number of Southern men who
are interested in the commercial prosper
ity of that section, he racks the courage
of his convictions. and is hardly broad
enough to take the leadership Of such a
crusade as he proposes.
Republican politicians possess weak
ness of faith in McLaurin's ability and
courage to live up to the declarations he
made in his Charlotte speech. A Repub-
lican senator said to-day: Il am con-
vinced that McIAurin is a Republican at
heart, but he is not strong enough in his
convictions to SO declare himself. If the
administration would assist in eliminating
the negro question from Southern politics,
you would see general split In the Dem
ocratic ranks on the very lines laid down
by McLaurin."