The times., 1901-06-04
Mr.. M'LAURIN's WITHDRAWAL.
The senator Aecedes TO the Request
Of GDxrrnor NIcSxxceney.


CoLGMBIA. S. C.. juno 3.-Governor
McSweeney today received the following
letter from Senator McI.aUTin. Withdraw
ing his resignation.
"My Dear Sir Your letter os the Slst
~ May IT, which you decline 10 accept
my resignation as United States Senator,
s'fhe grounds apgn which your deelin-
alton Is pre6ic8ted arc that the people
are entitled 20 one year Of peace ana
freedom from political battles and bitter
ness and that campaign this year would
pc calamity % the state. - ~ totn
as8nder b. Il heated canvass IN the on
year in politics. without any possible
AS 81 additional reason. yDu suggest
that any disturbance Of the harmony OK
! the people IN their work for the aenieNe-
peut - the material prosperity OF tlo
State might result iG rstardiug this prog
ress. 1 appreciate fully the force OF the
reasons given by you and the effects upon
me ssaaele Of the State Of a heated and
e-produciuR contest for United states
senator this year For the sake or the
I peace, prosperity. and happiness OF the
/ people or this state, ! am willing TO hold
i on 10 my commission Of United States
| Senator and 10 continue TO serve the state
as l have done in the past TO the best
/ of my ability
But. In retaining my seat in the SEN
| ate, | VIII not consent to be handicapped
or oossed by anyone claiming a night to
judge my motives and actions / propose
to exercise my Judgment on all national
| questions under the influence Of a high
| sense Of responsibility to the people and
to work for the upbuilding Of the political
! and material interest of my State. 1 rec
OgniZe fully my accountability 20 the SOW
| ereign people and am always ready 10
give strict account Of my official acts to
| them. Your suggestion that il is not your
| purpose by your official action to pre-
| vent the fullest and freest discussion OF
| all public questions and the education OF
the people along all political lines IS IN
| accord with your patriotic course in ref
| erence to the designations.
The people are entitled TO hear ooth
! sides of these questions and to form
I Judgment. Personalities and bitterness IN
| joint debate would interfere with fair
| and full suggestion Of them, and instead
OF educating, would miSlead and deceive
| them All that / have claimed Is this
| right Of the people and my right to en-
! tighten them on these questions whenever
I'm my efforts to do this I was inter-
fered with by the senior Senator, who
affirmed that my doctrines were political
heTesies and hurtful 70 the people. My
wish IS that all public questions may be
| freely and fully discussed before the peo-
pie and l viii be content 10 abide by
their decision upon them. In consenting
to hold on to my commission. l wish it
understood that It is in response to your
patriotic appeal that it is for the good Of
| the State and not because ] feared TO go
before the people and discusss with the
senior Senator or others the National is
1 sues of the day. l am a public servant
l OF the people ana lt IS my duty ana pleas
ure always TO promote their interests in
every way / can
This disposes of the opportunity for
a sensational campaign in South Carolina
this summer. Senator Tillman is expected
to follow the lead of McLaurin.
Governor AIcSweeney maintains that
while under ordinary circumstances and
under the conditions existing in nearly all
the States, the Governor would not have
the right to accept or reject a Senator's
resignation, in South Carolina it is differ
ent. These designations carried with them
a caII-for primary election. which must be
arranged for by the Governor through the
Executive Committee.
The Governor claims the right Of pre-
venting agitation if he considers it in
furious to the peace and prosperity OF
the people. So, the SenatOrship being
made kind of State Office by these pri-
mary requirements. the Governor claims
Jurisdiction
The withdrawal Of the designations viii
not prevent the Senators making stump
speeches this summer. McLaurin de-
clares he will speak when invited, and will
not have Tillnan around. Tllman swears
he has right TO a hearing. and threatens
to talk whenever McLaurin does.