Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1890-06-26

IN tho newspapers \ am the most abused
man in the State, but it is evident that
by many am the most loved, whatever
tiie cause may be, YOU know IL as we'll as
| do. We arc hero on an important occa-
sion, but I am glad to sec that Tillmanism
or Anti-Tillmansm hasn't got such u
grip on you that you cannot listen calmly
and dispassionately to tho discussion Of
the questions of the day. We are all
Democrats. No ono disputes that.
Thoro have becn made charges that l
was trying to play tho Malone game in
this State, but l don't think anybody
really believes that. Edgcfield is my
homo and it is tho homo of tho Straight
out Democracy. TlUre is not single
whito Republican IN tho county. We
want free speech and fair play This is
tho first time in tho history of Oconce
that you havo sccn your candidates for
Governor face to face before their nomir
nation. If tho Farmers Movement has
donc nothing moro it has brought that
about. What arc tho issues of this
movement? Boiled down to its last
essence it is solf-govcrnmont.
III explaining this Capt. Tillman ran
back over tho history Of The State, and
insisted that in the past it Was governed!
by the aristocracy of the coast counties
| iic said: II have no objection to an ars-
tocracy founded on brains and character,
but God forbid that should over bow
the knee to money and family. We today
have but repetition of tho past. Tho
Convention takes the place of tho old
aristocracy. Tho three thousand white
men of Oconcc arc boiled down to six
men to go to Columbia, who are not in
sympathy with you, and they vote for
mon and not measures.
81 believe struck the keynote when
SAID that this was Il demand for self
government. Let us have government
by tho people and for the people, instead
of Il government by the politicians for
the Office seekers. Two years ago |
demanded a State primary, but the Con-
March Convention, which here repre-
sent, demands that delegates to the State
Convention DO elected by primary. A
direct primary would be unfair, ON
account of tho injustice that would be
done to counties with great black popula-
tions They say that there is nothing to
complain Of that the Government is all
right, pure and Democratic. Iinuy SIM
ply represent the status quo. They don't
want change. do"
Capt. Tillman then took up the plat
form of the March Convention and OK
planned its planks. Ills views on reap
portionmcnt are well known. His reason
for the abolition of the Agricultural De-
partmcnt was that he wanted money for
the Clemson College, where it would do
the farmers more good and save that
institution from becoming Il burden on
the tax payer. lIc did not want to pull
down the South Carolina College, but
thought that it was top-hcavy. lie wanted
to divide tho money. We could not
afford these colleges for boys, while girls
were allowed to grow up in Ignorance.
We pay too much for higher education
when our public schools arc in the con
dition that they are. We want fewer
districts and made square, with one school
for each race. We also want the people
of the district to elect trustees.
My friend here has compared this
movement to The capture of this State by
the Radicals in 1868. A voice: ''rhat
ain't no comparison."] lie says We are
arraying class against class; then it was
race against race. Suppose the farmers
do take charge of the governments; are
we not in the majority? If farmers do
not govern this State then minority
| will. Suppose we do control the State;
does that mean that none but farmers
can get offices We have four lawyers
now on our ticket. We want the best
men without regard to their professions
Every class will prosper when the farm
crs prosper. Where is the merchant,
doctor or preacher who can reasonably
object to this movement d? Just como to
town and you will find them.
They keep asking me what arc you
going to do? Well, | want to know
what they arc going to do?
Gen. Earle has kept swallowing the
planks Of our March platform until he is
now about to push mo of. Between
'lillmansm administered by me, or ny
Earle or Bratton, which would bc the
Simon pure article, | want the Govern
mcnt economically administered. When
the Democrats first came into power
they went honestly to work to reduce
expenses, but in short while they crca-
ted many useless Offices. Now just look
and see how expenses have grown. In
I'LL the departments there has been an i'll
crease since 1870. There is q contingent
fund of the Senate and the House. What
is that for? We got along without il
in 1870 and think we can get along
without it now.
Now, there is the State JIousc They
are planting flowers, putting up electric
lights and identifying the grounds, all
ut our expense. We can get along with
less State pride and Nor" attention 10
the wants Of the people in reducing
taxes. want more simplicity, more
simple Democracy.
For repairs and furniture on the GOV
! crnor's mansion in 1882 the Legislature
appropriated $500. In 1888, SGiO. In
| 1881, 800. In 1885, $500. a new Gov