The Iola register., 1902-02-28


BILE that he should become the or
ganizer, the prophet and apostle of
the social and economic convulsion |
which shook the South in the later
SOS and which Afterwards spread to
the West and for ten years changed
the political complexion of Kansas
and some of the neighboring States.
In times of stringency and panic the
unsuccessful are always in the major
ity and the man who finds a reason
for the failure of the many in the sue
cess of the few, will always have
listeners. Tillman talked about
Throwing his pitchfork into the fat
pounch of the Plutocrats,' and the
people cheered him and thought he
was a great man, just as they cheered
Jerry Simpson when he displayed his
sockless shins and declared that "my
wife is just as dirty and greasy as any
of you mems wives" Such an era of
unreason was the opportunity for such
men, and Tillman did not fail to use
it. Twice he was elected Governor of
South Carolina, but his experience in
that office seems to have accentuated
rather than to have modified his angu-
larities and eccentricities. In his
"apology" to the Senate he made this
remarkable declarations: "My pre-
vious service as Governor of South
Carolina for four years UNFITTED ME
in measure to enter this august as
senlbly with that dignity and regard
proper regard, | will say-for its ira
ditiOn and habits and rules that is de-
sirable." What sort of civilization
must they have in South Carolina,
when man who was twice its gov
ernor and twice its senator CON
fesseg that his service as gov-
ernnor untitled him to conduct
himself with decency and dignity. OF
course the confession is Il slander on
the State in so far as it implies that
any.man who serves as its governor
necessarily becomes brutal and boor-
ish. The real and serious charge
against South Carolina is that it
should persistently honor man who
is himself so little worthy of honor.
Senator McLaurin, as has been
already stated, is in nearly all respects
the opposite of his colleague. Young
he was born in lS60-slighto of figure,
handsome, graceful of speech and
manner, distinctly and obviously a
gentleman. 1t is true, as Tillman as
serted, that although a Democrat he
has had large influence in directing
the Federal patronage of his State.
But it is as impossible for anyone
knowing him to believe that he traded
his. vote in the Senate for that pat
ronage as it is to believe that Presi-
dent Mckinley offered and paio the
bribe-the necessary corollary OF the
Tillman charge. 1t was published to
the country as a new departure when
President Roosevelt asked the advice
of Southern Senators regarding GER
tain Federal appointments; but as a
matter OF fact this was only the con-
tinuation OF policy long followed by
President Mckinley. Senator Nc.
Laurin was one of the men whom
President Mckinley consulted, not in
exchange for his vote in the Senate
which he did not need, but because he
found him worthy of confidence. That
is all the foundation there is for the
Tillman attack. do.
~
If nothingiwere 10 beEcop sidered in
this matter except a personal quarrel
between two Democratic Senators, the
incident would be of comparatively
little Importance, particularly to Re-
publicans. But it is certainly com
plicated by the fact that for seven
years Mr.. Tillman has otfended-not
senatorial dignity or courtsey alone
which might perhaps be small mat
ter-but senatorial decency and pro-
priety. Again and again he has used
language toward his Republican col
leagues which if used anywhere else
would have been instantly and violent-
ly resented. Again and again he has
used language as little in keeping with
the dignity of his position and the i'm
portance of the body he addressed, as
would be an oath or vulgar tale
from the lips of minister in pulpit.
1t is because of this long record of in
suit and aggravation that sentiment
here, Democratic as well as Repubi.
can, is strongly against Tillman, and
the feeling is common that a great re-
lief would be afforded if the resolution
by which he is adjudged to be in con-
tempt of the Senate and therefore not
entitled to recognition, could be held
up in committee for two or three
months and everybody be thereby