Evening star., 1901-05-30
MlAURIN - TILLMAN
Administration Watching the Fight
With Interest,
BREAK In SOLID SOUTH
Reform May Not Win Now, But
VIII Go On.
AN OFFICI AIS VIEW s

The administration leaders are taking the
keenest interest in the T1llman-McLaurIn
fight In South Carolina 1t is practically
an open secret that the republican leaders
in Washington would be delighted to have
Mr. McLaurin win, but 1t is not likely that
the President or any OF his official repre-
sentatives will permit themselves to get
mixed up in the contest.
The full significance OF the struggle that
is being waged between Tillman and Nc
Laurin is probably not realized by the cas-
ual observer.
Whether John L. McIaurin is defeated
or not is of little moment in the general
equation Of events. If he should be sue
cessful, which the best Judges here regard
as extremely doubtful. 1t will only hasten
what conservative observers believe to be
the inevitable-that is to say. a complete
and radical overturning Of the political ira
ditions that have dominated the southern
states ever since the dark days of recon
struction and carpet bag rule.
Break Expected.
Three states that have hitherto been
classed as belonging to the solid south
Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia-are
viewed pretty safely anchored in the
republican column, while Kentucky Mis-
souri, and perhaps Tennessee are consid-
cred debatable ground.
But the fact remains that no former con-
federate state has cast its electoral votes
for the nominees of the republican party
since they We're restored to the fun rights
of suffrage. The votes of South Carolina,
Florida and Louisiana Were counted for
Rutherford B. Hayes in 1876 but that
only after bitter partisan fight, which
was finally settled by compromise. by
which the democrats lost by one vote In
the electoral commission.
There has been no break the political
bulwark of the old confederate states for
the last quarter of a century.
Worked to South's Disadvantage.
That the political solidity of the south
has worked to it's disadvantage. CONNER
cially and otherwise, is perfectly obvious
to the dullest mind.
Development has been retarded. The
richest and most fertile section OF the
country. from every natural point OF view.
has practically stood still, while other sec
tions like the great northwest, with not
one-tenth Of the natural advantages of the
south, have gone ahead.
Many democrats Of the south have de-
plored the conditions which have made this
section solidly antagonistic to their sister
states of the north and west. So loEg as
the race question remains prominent they
felt themselves helpless to secure a change.
But the race issue now being practically
eliminated. the intelligent people Of the
south are beginning to hope for a new era
and recasting Of political ties.
An Omciars Views.
81 hardly expect to see McLaurin win,
said high official Of the administration
today to a reporter. ''Tillman's grip
on the state Is probably too strong for
that but the defeat of McLaurin in the
coming fight will not put end to the re-
form movement which has been started to
break down the barriers Of sectional hatred
and prejudice throughout the south. 1t
will go on, and am confident that within
a comparatively short space OF time you
will have political revolution all over the
south.
Have you observed that Mr.. Tillman
has not attempted to answer Mr.. Nc
Laurin's arguments? Well, he will not
either. All he is doing Is TO appeal to the
old-time passions and prejudices OF the
people Of his state. He falsely charges
McLaurin with being a republican. Nc
Laurin is no more Of a republican than
Tillman. He voted to ratify the Paris
treaty but did not that eminent democrat.
VIM J. Bryan, advise democratic sena-
tors to do so7
''Of course the administration will not
take any hand in the South Carolina fight.
1t would probably do McLaurin more harm
than good for us to try and help him.
The good people OF the south must work
out their own salvation without outside IN
reference.
'All lovers OF fair play. however, will
sympathize with Mr.. McLaurin.'