The Florida star., 1902-03-07

seat in the national senate. When the
legislature was wrestling with the elec-
ton of successor to Sem: or Hamp-
ton, asked Tillman why he did not
take 1T himself. His reply was char
people all SUMMER that was the only
man for governor. II permit myself
to be announced for the senate. the sim
certify of my declaration will be ques-
toned, because that would be equiva-
lent to an admission that another man
will answer as well as myself as gov
ernor. But" and he was silent for sew
pires / may have something to say"
What he later had to say and to what
purpose he said it are known Of all
men.
Tillman can no more be happy with
out nOtoriety than he can live with
out food. He likes to be talked about,
and he seems to enjoy censure more
than praise. In fact, while he frequent
ly has been obliged to make use of the
toadies who in swarms hung upon his
coattails when he first came into prom
inence. he loathes them and in per-
sonal way would much sooner do ia
vor to a political enemy. 1t does not
fiatter Tillman to tell him that he is a
great man. He has SO long been firmly
convinced of that fact that any such
statement merely seems to inspire in
him pity for the person so obtuse as
not to have discovered 1t years before.
He enjoys a fight, and. inasmuch as
most Of his battles were fought with
his tongue, the impression got abroad
during the exciting campaign OF 1890
that Tillman was physically a coward.
/ was. however. on the stand with him
at Columbia during one Of the most
exciting political meetings ever held in
South Carolina. and he then showed
that physically he is stranger TO fear.
Tillman is demagogue in certain
sense, but he is an honest one. He fire.
quently makes wantOn appeals to the
passions of his followers. but he ap-
pears to do this purely on the theory
that everything is fair in pOlitics-ex-
cept defeat. Nothing could be more
erroneous than the impression that
Tillman Is an ignorant man. He is a
close Shakespearean student and can
write as incisively and grammatically
as any man in the United States SEN
ate That roughness of style for which
he is celebrated-Or shall we say nOto-
rious? ?-is an affectation. He knows bet
ter, but he does that. as he does all
else. with purpose.
Senator McLaurin went into politics
on the Tillman tidal wave of 1890. be-
ing elected to the legislature. He Op-
posed the separate car" bill and at
the age Of thirty was elected attorney
general. Then he was sent 10 congress
! from the Marlboro district. He served
several terms and on the death Of Sen
ator Earle was appointed TO fill the va
| cancy. In the ensuing canvass he was
elected over former Governor John
| Gary Evans.
| McLaurin is not q pOSeur like Till
man. He Is much better liked by the
business interests Of the state, and he
has the courage of his convictions.
McLaurin, although he is an eloquent
orator, is a very poor writer, making
mistakes OF the most elementary sort
and frequently using expressions which
we expect only from Il bright school
| boy OF Il dozen years. He is in no way
1illman's mental or strategic equal and
on an appeal to the people would stand
no chance against his illogical and er
ratio but cyclonic colleague. Benjamin
Ryan Tillman.
McLaurin is thoroughly courageous
and If were asked to name his weak
est point | should say that it is il tend
ency TO keep his ear too close to the
ground in the effort TO catch the drift
of public sentiment at home. instead Of
going. in To create opinion, as Tillman
does. Tillman's weakest point is jeal
ouSy OF the success of those who have
risen through his initial efforts. Nc
| Iaurin is one OF these, and, while Till
man at first admired him greatly, |
think that his dislike OF the Junior SEN
ator will be found to date from the
day Oh which the latter demonstrated
his ability 10 take care of himself po-
| litically. This was a menace to Till
mans dictatorship. and that Tillman is
as absolute dictator as Il man can be
in any section of the United States
does not admit of question.
McLaurin believes McLaurin is right
in his attitude on public questions;
Tillman knows Tillman is right in his.
That illustrates the salient difference
IN the characters of these two fiery
members OF the national senate.
OCTAvUs COHEN.