The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-09-19
McLAURIN TO RESIGN
HIS WAREHOUSE POST
Says Governor Has Views Other
Than His for Future Of Storage
System.

John L. McLaurin, in letter ad-
dressed to J. Arthur Banks of St. Mat
thews, copies of which were distrlbu-
ted to the press yesterday, says that he
will shortly resign as State warehouse
commissioner. The commissioner in
seven typed sheets comments On his
purpose as follows:
eft is my desire to retire as State
ware house commissioner, and this is
to advise you that will tender my
resination to the governor at an early
date. My purpose is to give you an
opportunity to take such action as you
may deem wise to secure capable
man as my successor.
"I have established the system, SO
Tar as have gone, on firm founda-
ton; we are taking in new houses
nearly every day. and, in spite OF the
high price Of cotton, it would astonish
you to know how much is being stored.
The present State administration IA
vors retaining the system on its pres
ent basis, while 7 favor it's develop
ment upon broader lines. I can not
succeed with opposition from the State
administration.
Admits Achievements.
Another reason why 1 wish to re-
tire is that / am tired Of public life.
Twenty-Five years ago, when l went to
Washington, found negroes in nearly
all of the postohces, and our people
were restless and resentful under this
condition Of affairs. 1t finally cui'
minated in the burning of a postmas-
ter in this State and in Mississippi, and
had there not been change there is
no telling what might have occurred.
I set myself to work with the determi-
nation that, no matter what the cost
was to me personally, would remedy
this condition of affairs. The only
way to do it was to gain the respect
and confidence Of those in authority,
and make them see what was right.
Personally it did me no good, and was
a great burden, but the benefit was
not confined to South Carolina. The
policy which I succeeded IN getting
MCKINLEY to inaugurate, and Roosevelt
to carry on, was extended to- every
Southern State, and has practically
settled the negro question so far as
politics is concerned. My reward was
the charge on the floor of the senate
by my colleague that had sold out
FOR patronage. I advocated the prln-
ciple of ship subsidy for an american
merchant marine, and pointed out
then what would happen to the South
if there was ever European war. l
was the first man in high public Office
in this State to point out and oppose
the Democratic party following Mr.
Bran in his erroneous views on n
nance. Read the platform of the
party today and see whether my views
have prevailed or not.
"In the present campaign there was
not a candidate for governor in the
field who suited me. l begged you to
run on the industrial issue. and Of
fered to run for governor myself II
Won would run for lieutenant govern
or. Wmen it was narrowed down to
Blease c-d Manning. supported
Blease, and would do so again under
similar circumstances. because knew
that could develop the warehouse
system and secure rural credits
measure with Blease and that 1 could
never move a peg with Manning.
when made up my mind to fight for
Blease I did not do it in half heart
ed vay, and believe right now that
il had not got sick and had to spend
q month in the hospital but could
have continued my canvass Of this
State. that wo would have won the
night on the first ballot. However,
what is to be will be, and am not
CRYING over split milk.
Arehbold Correspondence.
~ 1nff or