The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-06-04
HAS PULLED lHE STRING
SENATOR M'LAURIN, OF SOUTH
CAROLINA, WILL HOLD HIS
SEAT IN THE SENATE
DEFERs TO GOV. M'sWEENEY
In Retracting His Resignation the
Senator Processes to Act for the
Best Interests of People
of His State.

COLUMBIA, S. c., June 3.-Gov Nc
Sweeney today received the following let
ter from Senator McLaurin:
Dear Sir-Your letter of 31st of May,
in which you decline to accept my res g.
nation as United States senator is re-
ceived.
The ground upon which your declina-
tion is predtcated is that the people are
entitled to one year of peace and free
dom from political battles and bitterness
and that campaign this year would be
a calamity to the state to be torn asun-
der by hastened canvass in the Off
year in politics without any possible good
to come of it. AS an additional reason
you suggest that any disturbance of the
harmony of the people in their work
for the advancement Of the material
prosperity of the state might result in re-
tarding their progress
81 appreciate fully the force of the
reasons given by you and the effect on
the people Of the state of a heated strife
producing contest for United States Sena-
tor this year. For the sake of the peace,
prosperity and happiness of the people of
this state. | am willing to hold on to
my commission as United States senator
and to continue to serve the state as I
have done in the past to the best of my
ability. But in retaining my seat in the
senate I will not consent to be handi-
capped or bossed by anyone claiming a
right to judge my motives and actions.
L propose to exercise my judgment on
all national questions under the inf1u-
ence of high sense of reSpons ibility to
the people and to work for the up-bui.d-
ing of the political and material inter-
ests of the state. I recognize fully my
accountability to the sovereign people
and ann always ready to give a strict ac-
count of my official acts to them.
Your suggestions that it is not your
purpose by your official action to prevent
the fullest and freeSt discussion of all
public questions and the education of the
people along all political lines is in ac-
cord with your patriotic course in refer
ence to the designations. The people are
entitled to hear both sides of these uues-
tions and to form judgment. Person.
altties and bitterness in a joint debate
would interfere with a fair and full dis
cussion of them, and instead of educating
would miSlead and deceive them All
that I have claimed is that this right of
the people and my right to enlighten on
these questions will never be called upon
In my effort to do my duty, [ was
| interfered with by the senior senator who
inferred that my doctrines We're -rolit. cal
heresies and hurtful to the people. NV
wish is that all public questions may be
freely and fully discussed before the
people and l will be content to abide by
their decision upon them. In consentin 2.
to hold on to my commission I wish it
understood that 1t Is in response to vour
OF the state and not because [ feared to
go before the people and discuss with
the senior senator or others the national
issues of the day. I am the public serv-
ant of the people, and it is nv dutv and
pleasure always to promote their inter-
eSts In every way I can.
John L. McLaurin.'