Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 June 1901 — TILLMAN AND M'LAURIN QUIT. [ARTICLE]

TILLMAN AND M'LAURIN QUIT.

Both Senators Resign as Result of a Bitter Personal Wrangle. What promises to be the most exciting senatorial campaign South Carolina ha# ever known has been precipitated by the resignations of Senators Tillman and McLaurin. Both resigned Saturday as the Immediate result of a hot debate, preceded by a bitter personal wrangle. Their resignations are now in the hands of Gov. McSweeney and beyond recall. Both agreed to appeal to the people and- seek re-election on the issues Involved. It has been intimated that the Governor may end the factional tight by retiring both men to oblivion and naming new Senators for South Carolina. Tiilmftn represents the Bryan and Populist Democracy of the State, while Me Laurin stands for the new and conservative Democracy, which is a protest against Tiilmanism and all its so-called heresies and fantasies. Between both men and their followers there has been bitter war. The feeling resulted in a challenge debate on the issues Saturday. At the close of the debate Mcl.aurin challenged Tillman to resign his seat and he would do the same and both would appeal to the people. “MeLaurin made a bluff at me and did not think I would call it,” said Tillman afterward. “He taunted tiie by saying I would not leave my six-year, bomb-proof position. I called the bluff and in so doing believe I have made a ten-strike for true Democracy. Now it is for the people to decide.” The approaching battle between Senators MeLaurin and Tillman will •be watched closely by all Americans who take pleasure in a warm political fight. The two men have stripped for the fray. Each has thrown off what is called the “senatorial toga.” The Governor holds the resignations of both of them to take effect in the of September. A Democratic primary election is to be held a month or so thereafter, and the men designated by it are to be appointed by the Governor to fill the vacancies. This is a noveLjKay of settling a dispute between rival Senators as to who best represents his constituents. The stakes are not equal. Senator Tillman has six years yet to serve, and Senator MeLaurin but two. The former will lose much more than the latter in the event of defeat, but he does not expect to be beaten. Probably he will not be. There will be a hot campaign next fall. Innumerable speeches will be made which would have led to bloodshed once, but which will not have deadly consequences now. Nearly every South Carolina Democrat will go to the t>olls and vote for men for Senators who exactly represent his principles.