The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-06-05
THE GOVERNOR
REFUSES TO ACCEPT
He Returns designations to Sena-
tors Ti11man and McLaurin.

tors Til1man and McLaurin.
Governor McSwecncy has declined
TO accept the designations of Senators
Tillman and McLaurn, and has writ
ten letter to them in which he AS
signs the reasons for his course, which
is as follows:
COLUMBIA, 5. c., May 81, 1901.
fcnllcmcn: Your letter tcndrrin"
your designations as United States
senators from South Carolina was re-
cciVcd on the eve of my departure to
Chickamauga To take part in the ccrc-
MONIES incident to the unvcilinn of
the monument which South Carolina
mas Just erected to her brave and
herolc soldiers who lost their lives in
defense OF principle ON this historic
battlefield. Hence my delay in ac-
knowlcdging it.
respectfully return yo,r rcslgna-
TONS that you may have more umc
Tor serious considerations Of the effect
upon the people of the State Of this
acllon on your part. The commission
which you hold is the highest compli
ment and testimonial which the pcoulc
OF this State can pay to one of lis citi-
Zcns.
1t is possible that you have taken
this step hastily in the heat of debate
and without due reflection Of the con
sequence TO the people who have SO
signally honorcd you.
1T was only last year that our pcoplc
had the excitement and turmoil Incl
dent to campaign and i'm another
year we will be in the midst of further
political strife. The people are en-
tlllcd TO one year of peace and free
dom from political battles and bitter
ness.
The indications are that a campaign
such as would be prccipiiatcd bv vacan-
'ics IN thcsc two exalted positions
| would be very acrimonious one and
personal rather than Il discussion of
issues, and from such canvass oun
! people should be spared. In fact il
would be calamity to the State to be
torn asunder by heated canvass in
this "oif year" Iii politics.
There can be no possible GOOD tc
come of it. The people of the State
are getting together and working for
the advancement and upbuildny OF
the natural prosperity of the common
wealth and | should regret anylhpo
that would rctard this progress.
1t is not my purpose IN this WRITING
to prevent the fullest and frccst dis
cusson of ali public questions and th,
education OF the people along all polti
cal lines.
On the contrary, heartily favor
that and believe it can be best accom-
plishcd without the bitterness and lh,
personalities which would he INSOFAR
able from campaign during the com
ing summer.
Under our party rules campaign
will be necessary within n little nor,
than year and ample time can b
had for full discussion of the issue
now before the people.
Holding these views and looking t
the interests of The people of lhi
= State, their peace, prosperity and hau
, pincss, respectfully decline to acccp
, your designations and beg to rctur
them herewith. have the honor [
be Yours respectfully,
, M. B. MCSwEENEY,
Governor.
TO Hon. b. II. Tilman, u. $. s., an
! Hon. Jno. l.. McLaurin, t.. 5. ;
r Governor McSwccncy received
n great many letters and TELEGRAM
II urging him to settle the matter quick
and accept their designations, an
others urging him not to involve Il
State in useless and unncccssaI
- campaign.
Senator Mclaurin wrote Govern
~ McSwccncy that the designations we
u not to be accepted until Scptcmb
10 18th and that according to law al
~ justice the designations were not &
:, subject for consideration before Sc
~ tcmbcr 18th, and in this way the
- being no vacancy the campaign wou