The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-05-06
CAUSED NO SUPP RISE
McLAURIN's LAST GASP" WAS NOT
UNEXPECTED.
A FAREWELL TO DEMOCRACY.
WILL DOUBTLESS BE CARED For
BY ADMINISTRATION.

His Last Gasp Before Going Rae ara
n"ssaSe Into the Republican
Camp, Say south Carolina Mem
bers-Mr. Tillman Takes 1t Cool
iy-Was Already Classed with Re-
pHbifcans Anywny-When His
Term Expires President Roosevelt
VIII Doubtless Find an Appoint
ment for Him.
Washington. D. c., May 5.-Senator
McLaurin's announcement of his with
drawal from the senatorial race in
South Carolina occasioned no SUNRISE
among politicians here, who are ia
miliar with the conditions in the Pal
metto state. The reasons given by
Senator McLaurin why he will not
submit to the rule which governs the
primary system in his state have been
told before in these dispatches. Mem
bers of the South Carolina delegation
generally agree in the opinion that it
is the last gasp of Senator McLaurin
before he goes. bag and baggage, into
the Republican camp"
Senator Tillman treated the an
nouncement of his colleague with total
indifference and declared that it called
for no reply from him. He said it was
simply feeble attempt to answer
some of the statements made in his
Manning speech, and would have no
effect upon the coming campaign in
the state. There is nothing unusual
or sensational in the plain proposition
TO require that aspirants who desire
faVors at the hands of the party or
ganization, should be willing to sub
scribe to pledge to support the party
nominee and the party principles. That
is all that is required of Democrats
in South Carolina who are candidates
for office.
In the judgment of Senator Tillman
there Will be a number of gentlemen
who will cheerfully take the pledge
and make the race for the senatorship.
II has been known here for some time
that Senator McLaurin objected to the
proposed primary system pledge. and
that at the proper time he would de-
clare himself on the subject in unmis-
taxable terms. Some of his political op-
| ponents say 1t would have been a
| greater exhibition of moral courage
had he come out boldly and declared
That his future political hopes are
| with the Republican party and, there
fore, he is not qualified to make the
| race for the Senate as Democrat
Has Burned Ills Bridges.
| The general impression prevails here
among Democrats as we'll as Republic
cans that Senator McLaurin has now
burned behind him all his bridges,
which might lead him back to the
Democratic party. Prior to his formal
denunciation of the primary system at
home, he was classed with the Repub.
licans in the Senate. His position has
not been altered by his latest act. but
only strengthens the charge made
against him. that he is beyond redemp-
ton so far as the South Carolina De-
mocracy is concerned.
What Senator McLaurin's future po-
litical plans may be he declines TO dis
cuss. At the expiration of his senate
rial term, unless he should be taken
care of in the meantime by the Re-
publican administration, he will retire
to private life and practice law. There
have been and are now various rumors
in circulation to the effect that he will
be provided with a federal appoint
ment by President Roosevelt. The sub
ject has been frequently discussed by
some of Senator McLaurin's friends,
but thus far no definite statement on
the subject has emanated from the
White House.