The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-05-30
HOT POLITICAL FIGHT IS ON
Outcome Of Joint Debate at Gaffney
Was an Unexpected Denou-
ment and Tremendous
Sensation.


Gaffney, S. c., Saturday, the latter
replying to a remark Of McLaurin
stated that he was willing to resign
his seat in the United States senate
If McLaurin would and, with him, 60
before the people as candidates for re
election, the one against lie other.
The challenge was quickly accepted,
and after the meeting was over both
men wrote and mailed their resigna,
tions to Governor McSweeney. thus
leaving the Palmetto state without a
representative in the upper branch OF
the national congress, a situation
which has not obtained since the days
of reconstruction.
Among those who realize the import
of the designations it created a sensa-
ton. It was the most startling and
dramatic incident in South Carolina S
startling politics for very many years,
and the very novelty of the situation
leaves considerable doubt as to the
procedure.
The Joint debate was the most inter
esting political event in South Caro-
lima since the famous Tillman cam
paigns of 1890 and 1892. Senators Till
man and McLaurin occupy antagonis-
tic attitudes on questions Of national
politics, and as result their personal
relations have become greatly strain
ed. This was made manifest in the
course of their debate, and some OF
the passages between them were In
tensely exciting Tillman is the su-
perior of McLaurin as campaign
speaker, but the latter is full of ear
nestness and spirit, and holds up his
end of the argument with vigor. He
had many supporters in the crowd and
his strong points we're warmly cheer
ed. The majority of those present ap-
peared to be with Tillman, however,
and this gave him the advantage.
Tiiiman's Version.
'McLaurin made bluff at me-" said
Tillman after the discussion was over,
''and didn't think I'd call him. I felt
that after had made an assault in his
honesty and integrity Of purpose, he
tried to parry that by taunting me
with the assertion that I wouldn't
leave my six years bomb-proof. saw
the opportunity to make a ten strike
for democracy, and I was ready to
take it, regardless of the personal
sacrifice. l want South Carolina to
say whether she wants two democrats
or two republicans in the senate. II
the people don't want to re-elect me,
/ don't care to serve them. I shall
announce my candidacy to succeed my
self, and will take such other steps
as / find desirable. regard it for
tunate that this is an of year, so that
we can discuss these national issues
without any trading and combinations,
the voters can live upon these issues
without outside influence. If I relieve
the state of eighteen months Of Nc
Laurin, I think am entitled to some
credit and thanks. If a commercial
democrat isn't a republican, I don't
know what he is. If McLaurin Is
democrat, am not want the people
to decide between u.s.
McLaurin's Comment.
Senator McLaurin, when asked
about the resignation, said:
"Tillman made bluff today and
called him. I put him in a position
where he either had to resign and go
into a sensational race with me, or
confess he was blufing and was afraid
to risk his political scalp, though will
ing to knife me in a campaign in
which he was not candidate and had
nothing at stake. All l desire is a
free, fair and open fight with Tillman
on the issue upon which we differ. I
earnestly hope mat all others will
keep out of our race and run for the
other senatorship, so that Tillman and
may meet as man to man and fight
it out. He said he was unwilling to
bulldoze me into joint debate with
him, if was afraid to meet him, and
hope he will not show himself
afraid to meet me in the senatorial
race. I hope he will not get any Of
his strikers into the race to dodge be-
hind, but will meet me in it alone"
Governor Has designations.
Governor McSweeney at Columbia.
Sunday morning, received, on the
train while preparing to go to Chicka-
mauga, the official designations of Sen
ators Tillman and McLaurin, dated at
Gaffney, May 25th, to take effect Sep
tember 18th next. When asked what
he had to say about the matter, Cover
nor McSweeney said:
"The designations Of Senators Till
Aaey May Visit Us.
A special from Washington says:
Aguinaldo is likely to come to the
United States next fall and spend the
winter in Washington. This informa-
ton reached the war department in