Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-15
He and McLaurin Meet as Friends
for First Time Since Fight, but
Former Writes Old Foe to Run
for Senator, Not Goyernorship.
Famous Carolina Senator, Resting
in Atlanta, Gives Characteristic
Interview on Taft's Opinion Of
Future of Republican Party.

When Senator Ben Tillman, of
South Carolina. the "Pitchforl1 Ben"
OF other days. and John l.. McLaurin.
several days ago in Columbia sealed
end of their long and bitter feud, 1t
did not mean slngleness of politi-
cal views for the two. If McLaurin
runs for Governor of South Carolina.
as every runnor and his own tenta-
tive announcement indicate he will.
1t is certain that he will not have the
Endorsement or support of Senator
T1llman, as matters stand now.
So much Senator Tillman himself.
in Atlanta for a two weeks rest. as
| serts The information that McLau
rim would run for Governor, conveyed
by Sunday American reporter. was
news TO him, he admitted.
FaVors Richards for Governor.
NO, he answered a question. ut
won't mean necessarily that he will
have my support. l didn't want him
10 run for Governor, | Thought he
ought to have tried for the Senate.
l am for John ]. Richards for Gov
ernor"
All OF which was rather sIrpris-
Ing in the light of developments OF
few days ago when Senator Till
man and former Senator McLaurin
smiled and spoke to each other for
the first time since their sensational
fist fight on the floor of the United
States Senate twelve years ago this
month.
That fight was the climax of feud
that for bitterness has hardly been
excelled in all Southern political his
tory. The two had been cordial
friends and then, as is always the
case when friends fall out, the most
cordial Of enemies Bitter crimina-
lions and determinations passed be-
tween them, in the halls of Congress,
and on the hustings at home In South
Carolina, Their enmity sizzled, al
ways at blood heat.
Climax Comes in Senate.
Finally. February 30, 1902. Senator
Tillman, in a speech on the floor Of
the Senate, charged his colleague with
corruption and with having been in
fiuenced in his vote by the proffer OF
Federal patronage. Senator McLau-
rim returning to the chamber. a Few
minutes later, gave Tillman the lie,
and they rushed at each other. fren-
zied- Before they. could be parted,
there had been a biood-spi1ling. maui
ing combat. with most of the dignif1ed
members of the Senate as shocked
spectators.
A national sensation thus was
| sprung, and a Senate investigation
ensued. Northern newspapers were
loud in their denrmciation of the
Southern Senators, and many of them
| advocated the expulsion of Senator
Tillnan, whose heated tongue had
made for him many enemies. But the
matter passed with merely a severe
reprlmand from the Senate.
They Meet at the Door.
Last week Senator Tinman was IN
Columbia, a witness before a Legis-
Iative committee. Hts former adj
versary was a witness in the Capitol
chamber. The hearing over. Tillman
made his way out of the hail, ard at
the door came face to face with Mo-
Laurin-
Bystanders edged nearer. nervous
ly soenting a sensation. For all they
knew, the men were stili bitter foes.
But the sensation that did come was
altogether unexpected in nature. Both
men smiled, and came together with
hands outstretched In friendship.
Their antagonism was at an end
Naturally, the announcement sew
eral days later that McLaurin would
run for Governor gave mise to the be-
lief that he would have Senator Till
mans support. But Senator Tillman.
in Atlanta, says that 10 not the case.
However, the Senator, iolling easily
In a comfortable arm chair in Cap
itol avenue zanitarium, u mot In