The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-07
BENET ON THE CAMPAIGN.
lie Discusses the Political Situation in the
State and the Prospects for Congress in
the Third.
I keOWee Courier.


morning, we said:
"Well, Mr.. Benet. we see you opened
the canlpain at Greenville, too. We
published last week the report of The
Greenville News, 18th instant, giving
an account of your speech there the day
before"
"Ies,' said he, 81 was passing
through Greenville on my way to
PickenS, and | was unexpectedly ser
renaded at the Mansion House The
days News and Courier contained the
article, now famous, entitled a Pri-
mary or Split In my remarks [
strongly objected to the teachings Of
The News and Courier, and advised
all, Tillmanites and anti-Tillmanites,
to join hands in putting down all split
tcrs or boilers, or independents. ! said
that I did not believe that the
Tillmanites would agree to have q
State primary, either for State dele
gates or for Governor, and that | could
not blame them for refusing. The
campaign was begun on the basis of 4
nominating convention. It was ap-
parent to all that Tillman was sure of
success in the nominating convention,
and that it was not to be expected that
he or his friends would consent to sur
render what they had gained, and fight
the battle over again at the primary.
I did not think that either Earle or
Bratton, If either were as sure Of sue
cess as IiIlman is, would be asked to
agree to primary, or would consent to
one. | earnestly urged the discon-
tinuance Of the campaign, now that
the fight was really over, and said
that although I was not for Tillman,
and was a strong advocate Of the State
primary, having been the first ITO in
troduce resolution in the State Con-
vention to that effect, still for the peace
and prosperity of the State, and to pre-
vent the growth Of enmities that might
take years to allay, l advised that they
should accept Tillman for Governor.
Some in the crowd said they could beat
him at the primary. | said 1 did not
think so but that if the anti-Tillman-
ties thought that they had a majority
at the primary, they would have an
opportunity of showing it in the coun-
ty primaries for the election of men,
bers ofthe House and Senate. !,
"Then, Mr.. Benet, you do not think
that the August Convention will order
q primary?"
"Certainly not. It is not to be eX-
pected. 1t is too apparent that those
who are now most eagerly demanding
State primary are those who former
ly We're most bitterly opposed to it. I
know something of the history of the
movement for primary, having seen
and taken part in the contest in the
State Convention some years ago. 1t
must not be forgotten that Tillman's
friends requested primary before this
campaign opened. We must remem-
ber also, that the State Executive
Committee said that a primary was
impossible and unattainable during
this campain. When, therefore, it was
evident to all that majorities were roll
ing up for Tillman in most of the
counties, it was too'much to expect Of
Tillman and his friends that they
should give up sure victory in a con-
vention, and fight the battle over again
in another field. 1t reminds me of a
duel in which the combatants agreed
to fight with swords. After several pass
eS, the man who was getting the worst
Gf it, feeling the cold steel entering his
flesh, exclaimed, Let us stop this fight
with swords and try pistols.'"
ado you think that the Tillmanites
will insist on nominations at the
August Convention ~
II do not think so. They will he IN
the majority, but | do not think they
will exercise the power which tie
August Convention will place in their
hands. But | do think that it would
be we'll for the State and the Demo-
cratic party if the minority in that
convention will themselves propose to
proceed to the nomination Of Till
man and his ticket, for that would
he the case in the September Conven-
ton. Ii this is not done, I suppo> e
the August Convention will simply
take recess until September 10th"
"Have you any objection to express
Ing your opining as 70 the congression-
al race:n
swell, being myself 4 candidate, it
would not become NE to give my opin-
ion as 10 the relative strength Of the
candidates, but have no hesitation in
saying that the farmers of the Third
District are disposed to support me on
account of my work in the Legislature
in their behalf in establishing the
Clemson College. 1t has been stated
that inmy advocacy of that measure
was prompted by a hope of reward in
this race. I can truthfully say that
when TWO years ago l framed and
championed the bill to accept the
Clemson bequest, had no thought Of
ever running for Congress. Judge
Cothran was then, to all appearances,
secure in his seat aS Congressman for
eight or ten years to come; and then
when | framed and carried the bill
through last session for the establish
ment of the college, no one, no; even
Judge Cothran himself, expected his
resignation."
"IOu fOurht for the College, then,