The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-01-12
N~'LAURIN'5 LETTER.

N'AURIN'5 LETTER.
Brandon, Miss.
Editor Clarion-Ledger;
In Gov. yardaman's message to
the Legislature, as published in the
papers, / see this language:
10 As | look back over the past
ten years of the history Of the pen
itentiary management-and | have
been a student and close observer
Of it fail to lind a single instance
wherein we have had a warden
whose manifest purpose was not to
serve himself or a few partisan Or
political friends, rather than pro
mote the physical and moral we'll
being OF the convicts and advance
the pecuniary interests Of the state.
This period includes the time
when my brother, Walter McLaurin,
who has long been in the grave,
was a warden, and | cannot permit
this false and unprovoked imputa-
ton upon the integrity Of his mo
tiyes to 90 unchallenged.
"The competency and capacity Of
Walter McLaurin for the Office of
warden, and the amount Of dill
igence or efficiency he gave to the
duties of the Office are legitimate
subjects Of discussion and criticism
by his enemies or friends, but the
unfoundcd and %irrevcrent imputa-
ton put on the honesty Of his mo-
tiyes will be properly estimated by
every true heart and mind who reads
it, without any Characterization Of it
by me.
Il had never thought that men Of
manly mold would ever pursue the
subject Of their enmity beyond the
portal of the grave or invade the
sacred precincts Of the silent, sleep
ing dead.
"Walter McLaurin, faithfully and
to the best of his ability, performed
every duty that pertained to the
office. There was never a more
faithful, humane, magnanimous and
philanthropic man. He not only
gave diligence and energy to the
discharge Of the duties of the office,
but he gave his health also.
when the overflow of the delta
came in 1897, he braved the floods
and the elements, in some instances
swimming streams and bayous OF
horseback, and in other instances
rowing in skitfs over the dangerous
and chilly waters to save the con
victs and the states property and
take them to places Of security.
Besides the drenchings from
horseback swimming, he was over
turned in skiffs, and when he re
turned from this work and exposure
his health was broken, from which
he never entirely recovered, an(
which eventually necessitated hi
resignation Of the office when HI
had held it only about a year.
He loved his friends as the Ath
onian loved the City of Viole
Crown and would do anything 70
them consistent with integrity, Blu
neither for his friends nor himsel
would he neglect or pervert hi
official duty.
Ills philanthropy and magnani
nifty were unbounded. Only a few
months-less than a year-befor
his death he made an earnest eifor
to do Gov. Vardaman a favor, 0
which, l suppose, Gov. VardamaI
never knew.
HE received the injury that re
suited in his death while attempt
ing to save the lives OF Others IN
runaway vehicle.
IN writing this humble vindica
ton of the memory Of my believe,
brother, | have suppressed my fee.
ings as best could.
II have not trusted my feeling
to write my estimate Of the ma
who would make such an unwal
ranted imputation upon him.
Walter McLaurin's memor
needs no vindication to those VIII
knew him personally, But ther
are those who did not know hi
personally, and | owe it to tn
thousands of his friends that tn
groundless impugnment of the hor
esty of his motives shall not 90 III
challenged,
"A. J. MCLAURIN."
VARDAMAN'S REPLY.