Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1909-02-24
PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

Representative Coke ID. Mann, of
Oconee, in 1907, arose in the House
OF Representatives on a question of
personal privilege" asking that
his reasons for refusing to vote for
Benjamin II. Tillman for seat in
the United States Senate, be placed
upon the journal of the House. His
request was refused, the House de-
clining to admit to the records of
that body his reasons for not voting.
Last Thursday Representative
John G.. Richards arose in the House,
also to a question of personal priv
ilege,' he having experienced q
change Of heart in regard to the pro-
hibition question, desiring that his
reasons tor casting his vote in direct
opposition to his former votes should
be placed on the journal Of the
House. His request was acceded to,
the House voting to print his reason
in the journal.
Whcreupon Representative Mann
arose again and demanded that his
reasons for refusing to support Till
man in 1907 be printed in the House
journal of the present session. This
request, or demand, was of course
refused. No other action could have
been taken at this late date.
Nor does 1t make any marked diff
ference that Mr.. Richards was grant.
ed the same privilege in 1909 that
Mr.. Mann was denied in 1907. We
say 1t makes but little difference so
far as Mr. Mann is concerned, for
Mr.. Mann is we'll known from one
end of the State to the other, and
his one prominent characteristic is
that he will stand alone for his con-
Victions against the whole State If
necessary. until he is convinced that
he is wrong.
In 1907 Mr.. Mann refused to vote
for Tillman in spite of the fact that
he stood pledged, through the DEM
ocratic primary, to support him, as
he was the nominee Of the party. We
are free to admit that we feel that
Mr.. Mann was so pledged. But we
are not the keepers OF Mr.. Mann's S
conscience. He felt that Tillman's s
tlings at the ministers Of the State
tMr. Mann is a minister of the Cos
pel) prevented him from conscienti-
ously supporting Tillman, and he
refused to do so. He was honest i'm
his convictions, he stood by those
convictions, and he stands by them
thnrn hn g.;
respect him for the stand he has
taken, though they may differ widely
from his way of thinking. 1t is for
that reason that we say ii makes lit
tie difference that his reasons for
refusing to vote for Tillman were
denied place in the House journal.
He is convinced he is right: he
stands by his convictions, and he has
the respect OF the people.
These facts, however. all go to
show that it makes a marked differ
encc where you stand when you want
"personal privilege" in the House.
Iou must not dare to differ from or
oppose Tillman. THE King can do
no wrong" Tillman does, not now
carry South Carolina in his coat
tail pocket as he used TO, but he
has influence and power and many
man in State politics thinks twice
before he dares to breathe his inner
most thoughts where Tiilman is con-
cerned. There is much good in Till
man, but not all--at least not as we
. see him. Evidently Mr.. Mann has a
kindred feeling with us on this line.
Certain it is that Mr.. Mann will be
found years from now just where he
stands to-day unless he, too, expe-
riences change OF heart in regard
to questions Tillmanic as MIR. Rich
ards did on the question alcoholic.
Mr.. Richards had a right to state
MS reasons, and the House was right
TO place them on its journal. Mr..
Mann had n right to state his rea-
sons, and the House did wrong to
refuse to put them in the journal
In 1907, however, the reasons
were Tiilmanic; in 1909 they were
alcoholic. And thereby hangs a
tale.
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