Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-06-05
McLaurin's Reply.

Immediately upon receipt of the gov
ernor's letter, Senator McLaurin wrote
his reply; but refused to give 1t out to
the press in advance Of it's receipt by
the governor for reasons Of courtesy.
Governor McSweeney gave out the let
ter on Monday. 1t is as follows:
"My Dear Sir: Your letter Of the
31st of May, in which you decline to
accept my resignation as United States
senator is received.
1.-THE grounds upon which you decli-
nation is predicated are that the peo-
pie are entitled to 'one year OF peace
and freedom from political battles and
bitterness and that a campaign this
year would be calamity to the state
TO be torn asunder by a heated can
vass in the off year in politics without
any possible good to come Of 1t. AS
an additional reason you suggest that
any disturbance Of the harmony OF the
people in their work for the advance
ment of the material prosperity OF the
state might result in retarding this
II appreciate fully the force Of the
rea sons given by you and the effects
upon the people of the state of a heated
and Strife-producing contest Tor Unnteo
States senator this year. For the sake
of the peace, prosperity and happiness
of the people of this state l am Will
ing to hold on to my commission as
United States senator, and to continue
to serve the state as I have done in the
mast to the best of my ability but IN
retaining my seat in the senate l Will
NOT consent to be handicapped or boss
ed bv any one claiming right to Judge
NV motives and actions. 1 propose to
EXERCISE nv Judgment on all national
ouestions under the influence of high
sense of responsibility to the people
and to work for the upbuilding or the
political and material interests or the
state. I recognize fully my accounta-
bility to the sovereign people and am
always ready to give strict account
of nv official acts to them.
your suggestion that it is not your
nurnose by YOUR official action TO pre-
vent the fullest and freest discussion
of all public questions and the educa.
tion of the people along all political
lines is in accordance with your pa
triotic course in reference to the res
ipnations. The people are entitled to
hear both sides Of these questions and
TO form a Judgment. Personalities ana
bitterness in a joint debate would IN
t1rfere with q ldlI anu iuil dioSuooiOiA
of them. and instead Of educating
would mislead and deceive them. All
that 7 have claimed is this right OF
the people and my right to enlighten
them on these questions whenever call
ed upon.
I'm my effort to do this I was inter.
fara1 with by the senior senator, who
affirmed that my doctrines were polit-
ical heresies and hurtful to the people.
My wish is that all public questions
NAV be freely and fully discussed be-
fore the people and I will he content
to abide their decision upon them.
I'm consenting to hold on to my, COM
mission, I wish it understood that 1t
is in response to your patriotic appeal
that il is for the good of the state and
not because I feared to go before the
neople and discuss with the senior sem
ator or others the national issues of the
day. 7 am a public servant of the peo-
pie. and it is my duty and pleasure al
ways to promote their interests in ev-
cry way 1 can. l have the honor to
be, etc."