The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-14
SENATOR MLAURIN'S DENIAL.
He Declares He Has Not Abandoned
the Democratic Party.

the Democratic Party.
CHARLESTON, s G, March 14-Sena-
tor McIaurin Is being severely criticised
by the press and the Democratic leaders
in this State and there is a general de
mand for him to resign at once The
point is raised that he does not repre-
sent the people who elected him 10 the
Senate aud that as, it is declared he
is no longer a Democrat. he cannot rep
resent a Democratic constituency, and
the only course left open for him is to re
tire.
During the recent session of the State
Legislature two resolutions censuring
Senator aAIcLaurin's course were intro
duced, bUt the question was never pressed
and the resolution failed to go through
At that time it was said that McLaurln
had voted on all important issues with
the Republicans, and while it was known
that he was friendly to the Administra-
ton II was not believed that he would
break away from his party associates
Senator McLaurin, in view of the re
ports that have been published regarding
his absence from the caUcuses of the
Democratic Senators and the further re
ports that he has formally allied himself
with the Republican party, made this
statement last night:
I have not changed my party afflia-
lions and still regard myself as Demo-
crat For the last week my wife has
been in q hospital, undergoing danger
Gus operation. and during that time l
have read no newspapers and have trans
acted no business Politics was further
est from my thoughts
1T was a surprise to me today when
1 learned that The statement had been
published that had become Republican
and that my name had been stricken
from the caucus list of Democratic Sen
ators. Some time ago 1 had frank talk
with Senator Jones. who had noticed my
absence from some of the Democratic
calcuses. told him that my absence
was caused by my feeling that, in view
Of the radical differences Of opinion on
certain matters of National policy be-
tween myself and the other Democratic
Senators, my presence in caucus might
be wrongly construed It might be
thought that I would use some of the Sc
crets of the caucus to the detriment OF the
party in the Senate.
Moreover il would have been useless
for me 10 attend and engage in any
wrangling about matters in which there
IS wide difference of opinion between me
and the ma jority Of the Democrats. / did
not know until today, however, that my
name had been taken of the caucus list,
and have now no knowledge of il, eX-
cept from the newspapers.
There has been no secret about my
convictions on leading questions If some
Of them happen to coincide with those Of
the Republican party, II does not mean
that I affiliate myself with that party; it
means that I conceive those convictions
TO be right
u am willing to stand on whatever rec
ord I have made and I would not change
one policy or utterance for a dozen seats
In the Senate 1 am willing 70 submit
the issue TO the people Of my State at the
primaries
Senator AIcLaurin has sent this letter
to the editor Of the Columbia Is. O.
Record
The statement that requested my
name 10 be stricken from the Democratic
caucus roll Is absolutely false I merely
stated that felt a deIicacy in attending
the caUcuses on certain questions where
! differed with my party associates, as 1
might eIbarrass their party deIibera-
tons 1t is nothing but a deliberate and
premeditated attempt TO prevent the peo-
pie OF my State from hearing both sides
Of great national issues which nothing
can reduce 20 mere party questions II
health and strength permit l shall pre-
sent these issues as best l can IN the next
Democratic primary.