The Savannah morning news., 1902-02-24
WILL INJURE STATE.
GOV. McSWEENEY TALKS OF THE
SENATORIAL ENCOUNTER.
HE DEPLORES THE INCIDENT.
WILL AFFECT SOUTH CAROLINA's
DEVELOPMENT.

Has No Opinion to Express, but
Should the Senate Take Radical
steps He Will Meet the Issue
squareIy and with Firmness-He
Reviews His Course in the Matter
of the Proffered designations Last
instances He Could Not Do
Otherwise Than He Did.
Columbia, S. c., Feb. 2S.-To- night
Gov. McSweeny, when seen and asked
about the matter, said that he de-
plored the undesirable prominence
which had been give the state of South
Carolina by the clash between her
senators. "It comes at a bad time, ="
the Governor said. "Just when our
state is on the crest of the wave or
industrial development, and a state of
political quietude is prevailing to the
material benefit of her citizenship. l
realize that the press of the East will
take up this matter and exploit it to
the fullest. That it will act as set
back to the developments of South
Carolina / do not doubt. All that we
can do is to deplore the occurrence.
1t is for the United States Senate to
deal with the senators in this matter
as that body sees fit under it's rules.
At this distance it is not proper for
me to express an opinion as to what
course the Senate should pursue. If
the Senate should take radical steps
and it comes to me, as Governor, / can
squarely and with firmness, and deal
with it as the circumstances demand.
when the designations of our sena-
tors were received by me last spring,
I decided that it was for the best in
terests of our state that l should not
accept them. This course brought forth
various comments, favorable and
otherwise. The designations We're not
unconditional, and l did not deem it
wise to do anything other than pursue
the course of requesting Senators TILL
man and McLaurin to withdraw their
designations, believing as I die that
the action of these gentlemen, both of
whom have been highly honored by our
people, was hasty and without due con-
sideration. With me it is not ques-
ton of Tillman or McLaurin. During
my official career I have endeavored on
every occasion to act in such a way
that South Cardinals political and iI-
dustrial course could not be misunder-
stood. fractional differences have long
ago passed away in this state and at
no time in our history have the people
been more determined to look at mat
ters from a practical and sensible
standpoint. The advantages of South
Carolina have been presented tc all of
the business men who have been care
fully looking to points where capital
should go and personal issues should
not be considered in matters like this
unfortunate affair. The people of the
country should not blame our state for
this incident in the United State Sem
ate.
Senator McLaurin by implication
and his friends directly have charged
Senator Tillman with taking rebates,
etc Senator Tillman has made these
charges of selling out for federal pat
rcnage against Senator McLaurin. If
there is anything in these charges and
counter charges, it seems to me that
the time has come when the people of
South Carolina are entitled to know
it, that it is time these matters are
brought to the proof on both sides.
Again 1 deplore the occurrence in the
Senate on SATURDAY."