The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1909-12-25
SEN. meLAuRIs's PROBABLE SUCCESSOR.
Governor Noel win Prsbably Refer the Matter
to the Legislature, Which win Meet Next
Month-List Of the Possibilities ies-Vardaman
in the Lead.

jackson, Miss, Dec. 22.-The news of
the sudden death Of Senator A. ]. Nc
Laurin at his home in Brandon this
evening came as a profound shock to
every one in this city, to whom the de-
ceased statesman was we'll known, al
most as though he had been resident.
Some weeks ago Senator McLaurin was
seized with an acute attack, and reports
were then sent out that he was near to
the end, but he rallied, and seemed ap-
parently in his accustomed health.
To no one was this sudden death moro
of a surprise than to Governor Noel,
who only two days ago was in converse
ton with the senator over the long-dis-
tance telephone In regard to sundry
matters which were to be taken up by
him at Washington on his return to the
national capital. Only this afternoon
had A. j. McLaurin, Jr., son of the SEN
ator, called to see him at the Capitol,
but at that time he had no idea that his
distinguished father was even then at
deaths door. The governor stated that
he would leave for Brandon tomorrow,
or at such time as the funeral is ar
ranged for, which he would attend, al
though as to that and the arrangements
for the event he had no information to-
night. 1t is his intention to have the
Capitol closed on the day of the funeral,
and he is in hope that every State officer
will attend as mark of respect, not
only to the distinguished United States
senator, but also former governor.
Naturally the uppermost topic dis
cussed here tonight is as to the imme-
date successor to Senator McLaurin,
and when the appointment will be made,
if at all, as it was supposed that Cover
nor Noel would make some temporary
appointment. Discussing this matter
tonight, Governor Noel stated that he
had nothing to say, and had decided on
no course, and probably will not until
after the funeral. Just what he would
do eventually he was not prepared to
say positively, though from the tenor Of
his comment it would not be surprising
if he leaves the selection to the Legis-
lature, which conTenes next TUESDAY
week, and which will, no doubt, take up
| that matter as c .rly as possible, after
disposing of the reiiminaries.
That there wi be some lively cleo
pioneering, and taass there will be a
number of seekers after the post which
death has left vacant, is a foregone con-
| clusion, and only three weeks ago, when
the senator was believed to be dying,
quite number of names were discussed
with the governor. The list includes
former Governor James K. Vardaman,
Leroy Percy, of Greenville; j. S. Sex
ton, of Hazlehurst; Congressman Ben
G. Humphries, of the Third; E. S.
Gambler, of the First; and Eaton J.
Bowers, of the Sixth Districts, respect
lively. Other possibilities who might
figure in the slatemaking are Hon.
Chas. Scott, of Rosedale; and Congress-
man Adam Byrd, of the Fifth District.
1t looks at present as if the fight
would go to the Legislature, as there is
little likelihood of Governor Noel max
ing an appointment owing to the brief
time and the fact that Congress is in
recess and will be until after the hoi-
days.