The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-02-26

out to q senator since the ratification
of that treaty."
"What state ?" demanded Mr..
Spooner.
South Carolina" shouted MIR. Till
man.
"Then." said Mr.. Spooner, II leave
you to fight the matter out with your
colleague.".
"Well," retorted Mr.. Tillman, II
never shIrk the responsibility for a
statement / make. 1 know that he
(NIr. McLaurin, his collesgue,) voted
for the treaty ! know that improper
influence were brought to bear l
know what believe"
"You simply believe" retorted Mr..
Spooner, "what yon do not know"
Tillman should have been called to
order then and there. His frantic as
sertions, to support which be did not
offer an atom Of proof, were an insult
to his colleague, to President McKin-
ley and President Roosevelt; for If
McLaurin so d his vote for federal pat
ronage, it must have been bought by
President Mckinley, who had the dis
posal of the federal patronage at that
time, and if the disposal of federal off,
ces in this State is cited as evidence, it
will not e overlooked that President
Roosevelt's policy in relation thereto
has been the same as that of his pre-
decessor. Tillman's charge was an
imputation against the honor of two
presidents and a senator. 1t could not
60 unchallenged.
McLaurin had realized that Till
mans previous insinuations were aim
ed at him, but he knew Tillman and
believed if he took him to task Till
man would adopt his customary course
of retreat from such embarrassing stu.
ations by saying "the hit dog yelps,"
or, 'if the cap fits you, wear it," So
Mel cLaurin has confined his replies to
statements of his reasons for voting for
the Paris treaty. Tillman's stock re-
plies could not be brought to bear when
Senator Spooner took him. to task and
told him he would be "a coward" if be
did not name the man against whom
his insinuatioD was directed. This
forced Tillman for the first time in his
political life to make direct personal
application OF a character-besmirching
insinuation. 1t was a wonderful feat
apd Senator Spooner can pride him
self upon, it.
The res1lt might have been expected.
Tillman had iterated and reiterated his
insinuation that a senator had been
bought to support the treaty. He had
never attempted to prove that insinu-
alton, but kept Oh making it, despite
Senator McLaurin's perfectly reasona-
BILE and satisfactory explanation of his
vote for the treaty, and his denial Of
anything but patrirtic motives therein.
When, therefore, Tillman. despite
the aforesaid explanation and denial,
charged McLaurin with selling his
vote for federal patronage, and offered
nothing but his belefin support of that
charge, it became absolutely necessary
for McLaurin to call an imperative
halt to these imputations upon his
honor. He did 80. After summing up
the charge against him, be said.
II desire to state, Mr.. President, I
would not Use as strong language as
I intend had I not, soon after the sem
ate met, replied to those insinuations
and said they were untrue. now say
that the statement is wilful, mali
cious and deliberate lie."
AS he started the verbal alteration,
Tillman also started the fisticuff In
each instance McLaurin defended him
SELF Had he not done go be could
never again have held up his head IN
this State, in which his people have for
generations been brave and patriotic
citizens. Had he not done 80, he
would have been regarded as a coward.