The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-05-21

followed with 4 WhOOp. lnree cheers
was then given for Tillman. and then
three cheers for the straightout De
mocracy. Mr.. a c. Latimcr called
the meeling to order. Rev. c. B.
Smith was requested to open it with
prayer, which he did. This was
about 11:3O. Capt. D. r. Tillman was
then introduced to the audience by
the presiding officer.
After leisurely arranging some
manuscript and news papers on the
board, he began: 1T gives lnepl cas-
ure to meet the citizens Of any ounty-
of South Carolina and see them, and
let them look me in the eyes, or eye,
for I have got but one eye. After
what you have seen III the papers, I
am sure you are surprised to learn
that this little, insignificant fellow is
Ben Tillman. [ have some peculiari-
ties. I write with my left hand. All
you've seen in the papers as coming
from me was written with this left
paw. Another peculiarity is, I have
only one eye and I will tell the truth.
l have said some hard things, but
that is necessary in all reforms. What
I have said has been in self-defense.
1 am here asa candidate for governor.
I am here as the exponent of the
principlesrepresented blythe &armers
movement.
He then went on to discuss the
necessity for the March convention,
and said he was responsible :for its
being called. lie spoke OF his can
vass two years ago with Governor
Richardson and referred to the cleo
ticn of delegates to the State conven-
ton. and said the ringsters had the
convention bottled up In their
breecles pockets. He also spoke Of
the amendment to the constitution,
two years ago, as a trap to catch the
farmers N. He said the change was
a danlnable plot. i warned them
that the farmers would interest them
IL 1890 He said tie State Demo
cratic executive committee had map
ped out thirty-iiye meetings, 1T which
he was expected 10 be.
He said: I hope they will meet
me there" A voice from the crowd:
They never do it.
Capt. Tillman: ':Don't you be too
sure of it. Don't loller until you get
out Of the woods. l don't holler"
He spoke OF the cry Of splitting the
! DaI.ty. and finally came to the meet
ing ut Ridgeway, and explained why
he withdrew. He then went over
pretty much the same ground rs
covereda at Ridgeway. He denounced
the free schools miserable as humbugs,
and said We should stop work On the
State House. Itwould take nearly a
million dollars to finish it, and We
could not afford it and live in our
huts.
Capt. Tillnan referred to refund
ing the State debt, and said: i
don't see why I can't refund it as
well as anybody. I've as good q
character us anybody if I do say it
myself.
At the conclusion of his talk, Gen.
Earle was introduced to the audience
as another henored son of South
Carolina" He made q calm and
clear speech, Notwithstanding that he
was often interrupted by Tillman
and others.
Col Earlcs Reply.
Colonel Earle said he nrraed with
Capt. Tillman in some things, and
differed with him in many. Under
his definition, ,Tillman was an aristo-
cat. and he was an Office seeker in
Columbia. He also said the March
convention was called outside the
Democratic ranks and that hence it
was an independent movement.
He then said he wanted to know,
rs attorney general, in what the cor
luption in the State offices consisted,
and turned to Capt. Tillman and dask-
ed him to tell him.
Tillman replied: well, the legis-
lators did not do what they swore
they would do, in not taking the cen
sus and re-apportioning therepresen
tatives ovei: the State"
Is that all!'' said Gen. Earle.
We'll. yes; replied Tillman; ''there
was also afailure Of duty by the board
of agriculture to prosecute fertilizer
dealers
Is that ALL" inquired Gen. Earle.
Yes.
DO ycu charge anything against
me IL my Office"
No"
Have I been extravagant?"
No.
Have I failed to DO my duty"
No
80 the only corruption in the
State government IS in the failure TO
rc-apportion?
Yes
: There were severed little spats, but
nothing generally involved.
Gen. Ealic's speech was character
lied bv calmHess and clearncss. He
showed !!l;,. The railroad commission
was without power. He also said
that Capt. T!llman had done wrong
in Saying that such men rs john
G. Haskell and others. who are just
as good and pure as Tillman. ale per.
, jarers.
Gen. Earle characterized this as !;
tight by the outs TO get ii. and sald
it looked very much like Walker Rus
sells Democracy. i don't say they
will 80 Ike Russell, nor DO | coinpare
1 them to Russell, but the facts point
g in that direction Tilluau hasttun
: ed his back on the rules of the Demo
cratic party OF 1876. He believed
Tiumar was Democrat, but II de
Q featedh he did not knowwhat he would
/ do. He is :; misguided Democrat. H
L did not think Capt. Tillanan would
;, be false to the party.