Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-28
McLAURiN AND TlLLMAN
ISSUES OF THEIR FIGHT SET FORTH
BY JOHN G. CAPERs.
Both Men Well Equipped for the Inn
pending Contest I'm south
Carolina.

An interesting contribution was made to-
day to the McLaurinT illman controversy
by Mr.. John G. Capers. recently appointed
United States district attorney for South
Carolina Mr.. Capers, who has been Sc
riously i'll at his residence in Rockville, Nd,
was at his Office in the annex Of the Depart
ment of Justice. on Lafayette square, for
the first time in several weeks and received
many congratulations upon his GONZALES
cence. Among those who saw him was an
Evening Star reporter, who was aware OF
Mr.. Capers' familiarity with affairs in
South Carolina. of which state he is a ma
until the past few years He was the man
ager OF the campaign Of Gen. Matthew c.
Butler In his contest against Senator TILL
man for the United States Senate, and is
also familiar with the campaign the latter
waged for governor when Senator McLau-
rim. who ran on the same ticket and was
elected attorney general. was regarded by
Mr.. Tillman the most powerful cam
palgner In his rettnue. Mr.. Capers was an
ardent democrat until four years ago, when
he became so thoroughly satisfied that his
party was hOpelessly Organized that he
found himself compelled to leave it. Sen
ator McLaurin. on the other hand. still be-
lieves that sound money. a proper measure
OF protection. expansion and a support OF
the Administrations foreign policy can be
brought about through the democratic
that he has placed himself outside of its
breastworks. Mr.. Capers and Senator Nc
Laurin are warm friends despite this politi-
cal difference, as they have been for many
years.
McLaurinism VS.. Tillmanism.
When The Star reporter asked the for
ner what he thought about the sensational
action Of the two senator's Mr.. Capers said
that he had not had an opportunity to
talk with Senator McLaurin, and had not
heard from him since the developments at
Gafney Saturday. He stated that he had
analysed the situation from his knowledge
OF the two men and his familiarity with
their methods and their lines of thought
in political matters. and that he felt salts
fled that Senator McLaurin had long since
fully appreciated the fact that he would
have to meet his opponent, whoever he
might be, in a contest in which the lines
would be sharply drawn between McLaurin-
ism on the one hand and Tillmanism on
the other.
Senator McLaurin has the courage, con-
viction and ability to meet the issue be-
fore the people of his state" said Mr..
Capers, land he therefore prefers to make
the supreme test and array himself direct
~ against Senator Tillman. rather than
against one of the latter's proteges The
result of a contest of this character would
leave no earthly doubt as to the sentiments
of the democrats of South Carolina upon
senior and junior senators of that state"
What do you mean by Tillman's prote-
ges?" queried the reporter
We'll, for instance" returned Mr. Ca
pers, lit has been well understo God that
Senator Tillman favored Congressman Lat
inner as the most available man to repre-
sent his, Tilmans. views. as opposed to
Senator McLaurin's. The latter however,
seems to have had the courage to invite
Senator Tillman to enter the arena him
self and meet him face to face rather
than by proxy. / regard it as a broad and
brave action on McLaurin's part
Both Men Able Campaigners.
''How are the gladators matched?" ask
ed the reporter.
Senator Tilman's most bitter enemies
do not deny him an auda city and force as
campaigner seldom equaled In modern
political life. 1t would be great mistake
to think that Senator McLaurin lacks in
aggressiveness or power on the stump He
can easily rise to Oratory of high order,
and. on the other hand, he, too, has been
born and raised on farm and is perfectly
familiar with the plain and forceful figures
of speech which so deeply impress the au-
dicnceS in the rural districts. I know
something Of his campaigning abilities and
l believe he is better equipped all things
taken into consideration, than any public
man in South Carolina to meet Senator
Tfllman in joint debate before the demo-
Gratis in the cities and the rural districts
Looked at from any standpoint" said Mr.
Capers in conclusion, the fight will be an
interesting one