The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-07-24
A FLY IN OINTMENT
.o.ETHING BEHIND McLAURIN's
DECLARATION.
1ILLMAN PROBABLY KNOWS.
rVIDENTLY HAS SOMETHING UF
HIS SLEEVE.

.,araurin Had Shown Pleasure ut
His Prospective Appointment to
court of Claims, and Had Accepted
concentrations OF Friends-Till-
nan Is willing That He Should he
rewarded for His Services by the
PRESIDENT, but Says That He Is Not
Fit for the National Judiciary and
conId Not Be Confirmed.
washing ton, July Ex-senator Nc
7aurin. the junior senator from South
carolina, appears to be having con-
Siderable difficulty in reaching a set
Element with the Republican admins
tration on account of his alleged po-
ulieal deals in the past. There must
he an untold story behind the latest
announcement that he has declined to
accept an appointment as judge of the
limited States Court of Claims, tender
cd him by President Roosevelt.
only a few weeks ago, when it was
said that President Roosevelt had def
nitely decided to appoint the young
South Carolina senator to that position,
there was great rejoicing among Sena-
tor McLaurIn's personal friends. The
senator himself seemed to like the idea
Of having life position on the bench
of a United States court, which ranks
second in official Importance at Wash
ington, to the Supreme Court of the
United States. Upon being congratu-
lated by his friends, Senator McLaurin
seemed to relish the idea of entering
upon judicial career under such graf
flying auspices, and under such COM
Portable conditions.
He made no effort to conceal the
fact that he relished the idea of be-
ing permanently located in Washing
ton, and had no hesitation in saying
that he was very glad of an oppor-
tunity to throw off the burdens, cares
and the discomftures of active po-
ltical life. In view of the frank
admissions he made on the subject,
those who are supposed to be familiar
with his public aims and ambitions
are at a loss to account for positive
declination of an Office he so much de-
sired.
There is reasonable ground for sus-
picion that Senator Tillman is eithert
directly or indirectly responsible for
the course pursued by his senatorial
intensity of the feeling between the
two men. Their respective records,
since they have been associated in the
Senate, show that, in spite of the
statement of Senator Tillman that he
bears McLaurin no personal grudge, he
simply capnot toleratS or consider him
on political equality with loyal Dem
Ocrats.
TjlIman Made Suggestion.
1t is known that some time ago,
when it was semi-officially announced
at the White House that the Presi-
dent had decided to appoint McLaurin
TO the Court of Claims, Senator Till
man openly vowed that McLaurin
could not be confirmed by the Sem
ate. Senator Tillman went so far as
TO suggest to some of Senator McLau-
rims friends that the President should
be advised on the conditions existing
in the Senate, with view to selecting
him for some other appointment not
requiring the consent of the Senate.
1t was suggested that if the President
saw fit to appoint him to a position
which was not of a judicial character,
there might be no serious opposition
to his confirmation.
In discussing the subject Senator
Tillman did not mince words in declar-
ing McLaurin's unfitness for a position
in the national judiciary. At the same
time Senator Tillman displayed no
evidence of personal animosity towards
McLaurin, but seemed to be actuated
entirely by what he believed to be a
political duty. Without intending to
lntimidate or to influence the Presi-
dent IN any way, or prevent him from
proving his personal or political re-
gard for McLaurin, he indicated that
it might be advisable for the President
TO know what to expect in the event
OF McLaurin's appointment to q judi
cial position.
Something Equally as Good"
1t is possible that this information
has been conveyed to the President,
and he has, after further consultation
with Senator McLaurin, concluded to
give him something equally as good"
possibly membership on the Isthmian
Canal Commission. Or perhaps Senator
McLaurin does not care to subject
himself to the attack upon his political
record, WHICH Tillman declares he will
make in open Senate, in the event Of
McLaurin's appointment to a United
States judgeship.
The Tillman- McLaurin feud has ex-
banded beyond the boundaries of the
Palmetto State, and has now assumed
Aduonal proportions. The outcome
promises more or less sensational de-
Velopments.
AN OYSTER PACKERS COMBINE.