Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-07-27
DROPPED BY THE DEMOCRATS


News that the democratic committee
OF South Carolina had expelled Sena-
tor McLsurin from the party and de-
manded bis resignation was conveyed
to him yesterday. The Senator was
greatly sprrrised. No intimstion fof
the purposed action bad reached hum
or any OF bis friends on the ommittee.
The body had assembled to fix the date
for the election In the Seventh con-
pressioual district to fill the vacancy
caused by the death OF Representative
stokes, and Senator Tillmsn's plans
seem to have been kept remarkably
we'll concealed.
McLaurin declined 10 make state
ment yesterday even 20 his closest per-
sonal and political friends. II is ex-
pected that after a consultation with
leaders on bis side he will issue an an.
pouneement OF his position. Ruling him
out OF the party will cause the loss OF
some supporters who were willing to
follow him as democrat. 1t may gain
him others.
The resolution ruling McLsurin out
Of the party was offered as a substitute
for one changing the rules OF the party
so as to make the candidates 10 the
primary subscribe to an oath to support
and advocate, as members OF Congress,
the principles and doctrines OF the
democratic party as promulgated in
The national and State platforms. There
vas considerable opposition to this. as
members ielt the silver and other
blanks in the national platform were
back numbers.
The McLaurin rt 8 ,lution, with which
senator Tillman was familiar, was tf'
fred as q substitute, and the senior
Senator earnestly supported 1t. State
senator Lewis Appel, of Clarendon.
vas the only one to make struggle
for McLsurin. Tillmsn de6ed anyone to
say McLsurin had cast his vote In the
Senate in accordance with the wishes
of bis people.
"He has voted on important matters
with the republicans. since the treaty
with Spain was ratified by his vote" /"
said TillmaD. "I have bad to remain
10 my seat quietly and see him confer
time and again with republicans.
Now, we are the engineers in charge OF
the democratic train, and must guide 1t
,siely into the station. We must pro-
tect the party from treachery. This
year we were told we would have
peace and harmony for one summer at
least, but peace and harmony won't
come when there are snesks and
thieves aud traitors going around hir-
ing Heasisns and distributing gold and
ouying up newspapers. l sm fully
aware of what am saying and l know
whereof / speak,"
State Senator Appel, who is the pro-
orietor OF McLaurin paper, arose to
make a protes,.
~ know that you belong to him,
heart and SOUL" said Tillman. He had
cot aimed at Appel, he said, but
hought his remarks must have fitted
nis case. But the Issue is not as to
mer; 1t ia one OF republicsnism," con-
tinued the Senator, land republicaDism
of the most damnable kind. l might
have had some respect for McLaurin Il
be had come out honestly and as re
publican" =,
Tillmsu met all dissenting remarks
whipped 10 the wavarers. and carried
| the resolution through with a rush.
McLaurin headquarters have jus
been opened in Greenville and the &C
tion OF the executive committee has LEI
his supporters ct sea until the junio
| Senator indicates his course. A month
ago McLaurin dared Tillman to hav'
nim read out of the party, declarinI
| that II such action were taken he would
"split this democratic party wide opeI
| 10 this State"
If he now continues in politics ant
mskes the contest next year this resul
will almost certainly follow.