Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-04-24
that they believe will result from the

tIldI lIey peleNS Will iSSuiI lioih eiiS
pursuance of the common sense policy
that has been so clearly outlined.
If it were possible to secure for the
issues raised by Senator McLaurin
thorough and unprejudiced considera-
ton, there would be but little reason
to doubt their ultimate triumph. The
policies outlined are really and truly
for the best interest of the South, and of
South Carolina, and when given the
opportunity for full deliberation these
people are not apt to make serious
mistakes. But the politicians also un-
derstand these facts only too well,
and in a case like this they will not
permit such deliberation if they can
prevent. They fully understand how
much easier is the task of arousing
passion and prejudice, and that Is the
policy they are likely to pursue.
The character of Senator Tillman is
we'll understood. All men of intelli-
gence and information must admit
that the senator Is an able man. He
is not only able, but he is patriotic.
He wants to see South Carolina pros
per, just as Senator McLaurin does.
But it must also be admitted that the
senior senator has a great deal of vani-
ty. If there is any good coming he
wants to be responsible for it, and un-
less it brings him a little glory he does
not. He certainly does not desire the
success Of policies he has opposed, nor
can he contemplate with complacency
the triumph of a political rival.
Though great is the patriotism Of Sen
ator Tillman, at this point it stops and
changes to vindictive bitterness.
Senator Tillman has never been es-
pecially concerned with the moral right
of a given policy whether Democratic
or Republican. For this we have his
own testimony. "If there is any steal
ing going on" he says, IT want my
share" He made this statement open
ly in the senate, and he makes no Sc
cret of following this policy. Such a
stand may be novel, to say the least
of it; but we are not prepared to say
that it is creditable. We do not think
that his charges Of dishonesty against
Senator McLaurin comes with good
grace
It is a fact that Senator Tillman did
everything in his power to secure the
appropriation for the Charleston ex-
position and he failed. There are those
who say he traded his position on GER
ton. There is no doubt of the fact
that he threatened to prevent the
passage Of the st. Louis bill unless II
should carry the Charleston bill. The
Congressional Record shows that. On
this last proposition he was undoubt-
edly right; but somehow he was una
BILE to carry out his threat. The other
side was too much for him, and he got
nothing but a dose Of chagrin-not
even the satisfaction of having OBJ
structed certain measures to which he
might have otherwise given trouble:
Now comes Senator McLaurin, and by
following the proper method to given
end, succeeds in large measure where
Senator Tillman had failed. McLau-
rim does in a week, what Tillman was
unable to do in months. This is only
one occasion out of dozens where the
same thing has happened, and in view
of Tillman's publicly announced prin-
ciples, we suspect that this, more than
anything else, is the secret Of his ami
mostly toward McLaurin. There is nc
argument or reason in the senior SEN
ator's denunciation of McLaurin, and
the only theory upon which we can ac-
count for it, is unreasonable jealousy
of a man who is able to accomplish
that which he himself is unable to ac-
complish.
If the new propaganda that has been
instituted by Senator McLaurin within
the party is given fair show, 1t can
result for much good to South Carroll
na but if, instead of campaign OF
deliberate discussion Of material is
sues vitality affecting all the interests
Of this country, we are to have only
another campaign Of personal abuse
based upon the vanity of Senator Till
man, the anticipated benefits will be
indefinitely postponed. 1t certainly
seems to us that if there is any need
for representation in the senate at all
it is much better to continue with two
senators, as now, than to have only
one, as will be the case If the wishes
of Senator Tillman are allowed to pre-
vail.