Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-12-11
1rlLLMAN AND LAuala.HAvE "A IIlLT
Ii the United States Senate e -Hoar, Of Massa.
ohusetts, Puts'fn a Few Words. |

In the United States Senate - Hoar, Of Massa.
ohlisetts, Puts'fn a Few Words.
~
Washington, December The Soma
tors from South Carolina succeeded to-
day In making things lively through q
vigorous and characteristic washing Of
Carolina's dirty political linen before the
staid body Of Legislators to which they
belong. Senator MOI cLaurin complained
because the Democrats will not take care
Of him In the matter of committee
places, and his complaints and explana-
tions brought upon him vigorous tongue
lashings from Senator Tillmap and Sena-
tor Jones, head Of the Democratic steer
ing committee. y
The exciting clash between the two
Senators to-day was the direct sequel Of
the very bitter controversy which arose
between them III South Carolina last
spring. MoLaurin arose to a question of
personal privilege aud proceeded to
explain what he charged was q conspir-
aoy to disoredit him In his own State for
acts aud views which did not meet the
approval of certain Democratic leaders.
He declared that he was being humili-
ated, and, according to public prints.
was to DO excluded from the Democratic
caucus because he had acted upon GER
tain public issues in a way which he con-
sidered was for the best interests of the
country and tho people of his State. He
announced himself believer in the old
Democracy, and after denounoing the
new Democratic leaders who, he said,
had brought destruction upon the party,
declared that he could not be driven
from his old allegiance into party with
which he did not care to affiliate.
This drew the fire of Senator Jones,
chairman of the Democratic National
Committee, who denied that he had
any "ulterior motives" in not inviting
Mr.. McLaurin to enter the caucus. From
Mr.. Tillman it brought forth review of
tho whole controversy, in the course of
which Mr. Hoar took occasion to express
the opinion that it was very doubtful
whether both the South Carolina seats in
the Senate were not in reality vacant.
The climax came when Senator Till
man challenged Mr.. MoLaurin to join
with him in preparing thoir joint resig-
nation and handing them to the presid-
ing officer of the Senate. This ohallange,
however, Mr.. McLaurin did not accept,
and the episode was brought to an alb
rupt olose;by motion of Senator Lodge
that the Senate 60 into executive session.
At the conclusion of tho morning busi-
ness there WAS something of o stir in the
chamber when Mr. McLaurin arose to q
question of personal privilege. III arise
to question of personal privilege in
connection with the published statement
that have been excluded from partici-
patton in the Democratic party" he
announced. With evidence of considera-
BILE emotion, he proceeded to explain
that if such was the case and if he was
to be without assignment upon commit
tees, the right of his State, which he in
part represented in the Senate, would
suffer. The personal effect of an exclu-
sion from representation on committees
was, he said, not of 80 much Importance
as its effect upon the State of South
Carolina.
The entire Senate became Interested.
Several Republicans crossed the politi-
cal aisle to the Democratic side the bet
tor to listen to what Mr.. McLaurin had
to say. After lengthy review of his
political beliefs and an explanation of his
official acts, during which he mado tho
statement that some Democrats had
"ulterior motives in trying to exclude
him from the Democratic caucuses, Som
ator McLaurin declared that he did not
propose to be driven from his own party,
nor to be forced into affiliation with a
party with which he did not care to ally
himself, and that on great public ques-
tions he would act according to the die
tates of his own conscience and best judg-
mont.
Senator Jones, of Arkansas, took the
allusion of McLaurin as to fullerton mo-
tives" to be intended for him. GAS to
tho charge of ulterior motives on my
part" he said, II am content to treat
it with the contempt it deserves. 1t is
a notorious fact, which every one seems
to understand except tho Senator from
South Carolina, that there has been no
Dem ocratio caucus at this session of
Congress. ! have no hesitancy, however,
in saying that in a recent conversation
with leading member on tho other
side said to him that l did not think
the Democratic caucus could undertake
to provide committee assignments for
the Senator from South Carolina.
Mr.. Tillman was on his feet when Mr..
Jones concluded. In his characteristic
way he announced that, while his name
had not been mentioned, he realized that
he was the cause of it all. Ho said he
would not at this time make an extended
reply. Briefly, he reviewed the contro-
versy between himself and Senator Nc
Laurin, which led to the joint tender of
their designations to the Governor of
South Carolina last spring, and told of
the Governors suggestion that the resi- :
nations be withdrawn. Mr.. Tillman saia
he contended that the Governor was
simply ''a box into which we had put
letters for the Legislature" and that
they could not undo their act, but that
Mr.. McLaurin had hastened to withdraw
his letter. Mr.. Tillman said he had
examined the record, and of about two
hundred cases in the history of the gov
ernment, whore Senators had resigned,
McLaurn enjoyed the enviable distinc-