The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-06-05
THE QUESTION Is DECIDED.
Senator McLalIrin VIII be AD-
pointed to Il J .Judgcship.

, 1t 8 conceded that the President will
name Senator John j.. McIaurm, 0
: South Carolina, to fill the vacancy OF
the court OF claims in Washington
and this fact produces much comment
in one way or another. The Washing.
ton correspondent of the Atlanta
: Constellation says:
Senator McIIaurin, of South Caro-
lima, is understood to contemplatt
some sort of a grandstand play in the
Senate in the near future when he will
announce his resignation of the posi-.
ton he holds. A great deal of myster,
IS maintained by those in the Senator
confidence and it is impossible, there
fore, to say just when this performance
will come Off. II is, OF course, posi-
BILE that he may change his mind about
the manner in which he will let the
world know that he has been taken
care of by Republican President, but
the understanding now is that either
coincidcnt with the announcement of
his appointment to the court of claims
or before that announcement is made
he Will again air his grievances toward
the party which has honored him, and
will endeavor to get some notoriety by
his manner in doing it. The friends
of several candidates for the iudgeshlp
seem to think that the matter has not
yet been settled in McLaurin's favor.
but have it from source very close
TO The President that he has decided
upon McLaurin for the place.
The resignation of the Senator IS
nj 10
Carolina situation. Politicians from
that State believe Governor McSweeney
is anxious TO get into the Senate, and
they arc wondering whether he can
' make an appointment to fill the
vacancy which will in any way help
along his ambitions.
The old line Republicans of the
State have been turned down again b,
President Roosevelt in the appoint
mcnt Of postmaster at Charleston
but the appointment is not particular
ly pleasing TO those Democrats who
have been trying to get on the Repub
llcan band wagon, some of whom
wanted the place for themselves. The
appointcc is w. l.. Harris, who is a
recent citizen of the State, and while
classed with the so called Commercial
Democratic element, does not distinct
ly belong to il. He is a Republican
anu has lived at Charleston for less
than year, having come from some
Northern State TO hold small govern
ment position. lie seems to have re-
ceivcd his appointment largely because
Of The fact that he married relative
of Major Micah jenkins, who is one of
President Roosevelt's favorites.
The Washington correspondent of
the State makes the following com.
ment upon the sltuatlon:
President Ruosevelt's friendship and
regard for the Senator are known, and
Furthermore he would be carrying out
the wishes of President Mckinley in
providing comfortable berth for
(Senator McI.aurln. A judgeship on
tho court of claims carries salary of
"a 500 and life tenure. lis social
advantages makes the office much
sought after.
II has been suggested in case the
Senator were nominated for the office,
that his colleague would endeavor TO
prevent his confirmation by the Senate.
Friends of Senator Tillman declare
that the suggestion ls purely gratui-
: tous one, and that in their opinion he
! would do nothing of the kind, either
; directly or indirectly. Because for
personal reasons the Senator has seen
lit to hold up certain Federal appoint
ments made III South Carolina at the
instance of Senator McLaurin, Is, they
argue, no indication that he would do
the same by his colleagues appoint
ment. The reasons for which Senator
Tillman has been keeping Mel .aurir
, appointees on the anxious bench'
are not, 1t is thought, such as woult
1 cause him to hold up McLaurin's ap
pointment TO an Office that is entirel,
: remote from South Carolina politics.
3 In this connection, it is known tha
l number Of personal friends of Sena
. tor McLaurin in the Senate, among th,
i Democrats, have been exerting stron
u influence to have the Senator appoint
, Ell to the court of claims. The DE
u mocratic Senators who have been ad
u vocating Senator McLaurin for th
}. Office happen to be among his mos
pronounced opponents on certal
u political issues and are supporting hir
y entirely because of their strong pei
) sonal friendship for HIM.
But what is of more vital interest !
j. South Carolina circles is not the ar
Is polntment Of the Senator 80 much o
y the consequences. II is believed the
~ Senator McLaurn will accept the jud{
u ship. HIS Senatorial term expire
n next March, and as he is out of th
u race for reelection there is really yer
&c little that he could accomplish betw &c
IN now and the end of his term. If he
III rendered the appointment and accept
Ell he will of course resign his seat in IL
tn Senate. And then what? 1t will
up to Gov. McSweeney. No one HI
Is, suggested that the Governor will sho
in any reluctance this time about acce,
lts ing designations from senators. n