The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-03-19
Nothing TO Investigate. -

The Springfield, Mass, Republican,
commenting on the demand of Senator
McLaufin for an Investigation, says:
Now it is proposed to Investigate the
truth Of that charge, but the truth is
that there is nothing to investigate.
Everybody knows whatssthe facts are,
and everybody knows accordingly that
the charge made by Tillman is sub.
stantially true. These undisputed
facts are thus stated by the Philadel
phia Record, which by the way, has
been a supporter of the Republican
policy involved in that treaty Of an
nexation:
"It is fact as asserted by Senator
Tillman, that Senator McLaurin was
opposed to the Paris treaty, and when
a vote was badly needed by the ad-
ministration he was suddenly and
mysteriously converted in its favor.
It is also fact that Immediately
after this miraculous conversion Sen
ator McLaurin became the dispenser
of South Carolina patronage of tie
government. He had the run of the
departments and postofices and reve-
nue. collectorships in the state were at
his exclusive disposal. It is not yet
forgotten how he undertookaas one of
his first experiments to seduce the
venerable Wade Hampton with the CO.
lumbia, S. c., postoffice, and how his
base attempt was repulsed. This did
not seriously discourage him as it
would have discouraged any man with
a lingering sense of political decency.
McLaurin is still making his profers
of federal Office to every Democrat in
South Carolina whom he convert
into tool of his own and of the ad-
ministration. With ali this he keeps
up the impudent pretence of being a
Democrat, while supporting by speech
and vote every measure of the party IN
power
And when it is added that McLau-
rim in all this has particularly sought
out Tillman's personal enemies in
South Carolina for the places and
power at his disposal it will explain,
while never excusing the insane fury
of Tillman.
But was deliberate bargain struck
between McLaurin and the admins
tration before the ratification of the
treaty? This is another question and
one which an investigating committee
can probably dispose of with proof
McLaurin suddenly turned on himself
and voted with the administration for
reasons good or bad. If for reasons
honorable, then he has smirched him
self with dishonor when he accepted
pay for what he had done and when he
continues to accept pay in office pat
ronage from Mr.. McKinley's success
sor. His case thus becomes as bad for
himself as if there had been previous
bargain.
Spooner knows all this and knew it
when be baited on the fiery Tillman
to his undoing. Every senator in the
chamber knew it. South Carolina
knows it and the country knows it.
The charge of Tillman is notoriously
true in every essential feature, and the
only thing left for an investigating
committee to determine is whether
McLaurin changed his coat in the hope
of gaining what he has without pre-
vious promise or in response to pre-
vious promise, and if the latter sup
position is true how many and what
administration senators, if any, were
responsible for the bargain. This is
one of those scandals connected with
the Philippine treaty which no amount
of uproar over Tillman's brawling can
hide from present view or history.