Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-02-19
Fighting The WAREHOUSE.
Vicious Assault In the Senate Falls
Flat.
The POLITICIANS and The INTERESTS

6eam9uaro makes Gooo Speech-
Carlisle Opposed to MeLaurin Be-
cause He Would Not Be a catspaw
] Senator Evans Would Impeaeh the
Warehouse Commissioner for Moth.
ins"-Senator Banks Puts opposi-
tion to Shame.
Correspondence The Yorkvills Enquirer
Columbia, s. c., Feb. 1S.-The de-
bate on the extension Of powers Of the
state warehouse commissioner began
last Friday and was adjourned over
until Monday night. When debate was
renewed, Senator Lee Of Darlington,
launched upon an attack on the poll
tics of the state warehouse commits
sioner, saying that the people Of South
Carolina had no confidence in him" !"
Senator Carlisle Of Spartanburg, in his
speech in opposition to the warehouse
measure, said he had nothing but
kindliest feelings for Mr.. McLaurin per-
sonally, and that In his earlier years
had been a strenuous supporter Of
him In his differences with Senator
Tillman. That his cause Of complaint
was that recently, when this state
needed a leader ito rid It Of Blease-
ism," that McLaurin refused and de-
clared himself for Blease. This Is
about the substance Of Senator Car
isles remarks. Senator Nicholson Of
Edgefield, made a very calm, dispas-
sionate statement Of his objection,
with no reference to politics.
Senator Beamguard made a rattling
good speech, not only showing clearly
the advantages Of the warehouse sys-
tenn. but defending McLaurin from
the unjust political attacks on him
to cover the assault upon the first
practical step taken by the farmers to
get fair prices for their products.
Senators Buck, Goodwin, Appelt
and Stuckey followed in able argu-
ments. Senator Appelt was peculiar
ly pungent in scoring the other side
for the nasty" politics injected, and
eulogized McLaurin for his unselfsh-
ness and ability. Senator CHM Of
Hampton, was listened to with clos
est attention. 1t was really a remark
ably strong speech. He said that he
had made the longest speech on the
floor Of the senate, and had fought
harder than any other man to keep
the bill from becoming a law; that he
had been watching the development
Of the system under McLaurin, and
studying the principles upon which It
was based, and had come to the con-
clusion that 1t was the proper solu-
ton, and that McLaurin was doing
good work for his people. Senator
CHM made the longest speech in
favor Of the bill, as he did against II
year ago. and It was full - good
horse sense and often quantity hu-
morous. It will be recalled that he
and Senator McLaurin a year ago
had quite an acrimonious passage at
arms in the debate on the bill.
Senator Evans Of Marlboro spoke
in favor Of the bill, saying that Nc
Laurin could not come back political
ly, and volunteered the statement
that II would vote to impeach Nc
Laurin." Senator Sharpe Of Lexing-
ton, arose very slowly, and asked, in
loud, clear voice, did under
stand the gentleman to say that he
would vote to impeach McLaurin?"
YES" was the reply Of Senator
Evans. Senator Sharpe asked, May
inquire upon what grounds?" Sena-
tor Evans stopped a moment and then
said. For nothing"
The debate was adjourned about
II p. m, and was resumed next day
by Senator ]. Arthur Banks Of CAL
houn. who made one Of the clearest
and strongest speeches heard upon
the floor Of the senate in recent years.
Senator Banks said, in part:
II am admonished by the friends
of this measure to permit 1t to come
to vote without further discussion;
but l cannot get my consent, even
though it be in the interest Of the bill,
to have the discussion ended, without
first defending the friend Of my boy
hood against the charges which have
been made on the floor Of this senate.
I will defend the brave, big-brained.
big-souled, and generous-spirited
Warehouse Commissioner, John L.
McLaurin. 1t is his brain which gave
birth to the greatest piece Of con-
structive legislation which this gen.
eral assembly has witnessed since my
connection with it.
THE charge made against him by
the senator from Darlington that the
people Of South Carolina have no con-
fidence in him is not in harmony with
what the records shows. Where, in the
light Of McLaurin's public record in
this state, can there be found justi-
fication for the charge taht "the peo-
pie have no confidence in him? Did
he not serve the state Of South Caro-
lima ably as her attorney general?
Did he not represent her with ability
in the congress Of the United States
elected by the votes Of the people Of
this state to every office to which he
has aspired? Can any Of his traducers
point to a single instance where he
has failed to receive the commenda-
ton OF the people of the state when
he has asked for it? More than that,
did not the representatives of the peo-
pie in the general assembly Of South
Carolina last October express their
confidence in him by electing him to
the position which he now occupies.
Yes; they elected him to that posi-
ton, unsought by him, because they
realized that he was the only man
who could carry into effective opera
ton the warehouse system, which
was the child of his own brain. Can
any one point to a single act Of his
which would justify such attacks as
have been made upon him by the
senator from Darlington?
1T has not been repeated on the
floor Of the senate, but the charge
has been made in the State House
that the state warehouse system
reeks with politics, because the ware
house commissioner appointed
private secretary of Governor Blease
to the position Of secretary of this
warehouse department. Would you
charge the state warehouse commits
sioner with playing politics If he had