The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1890-05-22
I'illnlaniSln.
Editor CamTcA J0unal:

absorb ng topic in your paper, you
will perhaps find place for this cor
trihu;ion from a Tillmanite. Unfor.
tnnatciy the subject cannot be treat
ed without passion, hut it is just MS
well for each one 10 spcak out his
convict ons, give his reasons. pnt
them to. the test, and abide the re.
sult.
In the County and State Conven.
tons, two summers ago, I stood for
Til!man and his IDEAS. when he was
in hopeless minority and was taun-
ted with carrying his party in his hat.
He seemel TO me then an honest
man, extreme and extravagant in
STYLE, but an earnest advocate OF
many sanitary changes or ''reforms
within the party. Those were my
views then, taken with miseivings,
and they are the same now, entertain
cd more firmly since 80 many have
adopted them and now that the dawn
of success begins to light up the poll
teal sky. In my poor Judgment this
State has not produced a man of more
splendid fortitule, loftier honor or
more penetrating foresight thai Is.
r. Tillnan. These qualities in him
have been thoroughly pnt to the teat,
have enilearel him to the peop,e and
male his name one Of magic.
But to the point. What is Till.
manism rs defined by its author?
First and foremost it me ms oppos'.
ton to "ring. rule bossism, machine
methods and the domination of old
ideas in the party. Those who have
CONTROLLED the conventions, The legis-
In ntn=es-and Gftca ttl,e offices for fifteen
wears have resented bitterly the mer.
CHESS crusade lel against them by
this bold agitator For his pains lie
has been likcned 10 limo It every dir
tv character that has disGraccd the
annals of History. Can we wonder
at his fierce returts, being conscious
of honorable aims? Forsooth It
lakes no rCsc.watcr man to- criticisc
the powers that be and lead revo.
lution. Single handel he has fought
against q powerful prcse, against men
in high places and the rooted pTcjn'
dice of old ideas. BY his manly
courage and aadacious sincerity he
has wen the hearts and applause Of
the people. Yes, they arc sadl* at
nicte,l with "Tillmania." It may be
they are poor dcluded creatures
they may be taking vcnonons viper
tn their bosom-but they areiinfa'u.
ated and Ben Tillman is their idol.
If they are mistaken let all lovers Of
truth hope they may be disabused at
once.
1t means also closer economy in
the expenses of government. GRAM
that we have q comparatively cheap
government, if it can be made st |
cheaper without injury why not? All
admit that some lalks can be stop
ped, OF the money applied to better
objec $, AMI If SO, why not? If the
people wish any salaries reduced Or
Offices abol shed md the incumbents
do not like it and begin to kick. the
question arises who are to prevail,
the off .ers or the people?
Leaving aside the leading issue Of
''ring.ru!e," the main features of the
Tillmon heresy my be arranged a.
follows:
!. Establishments of separate Ag-
ricultural College. This has been
accomplished in the foundation of
the Clemson College at Fort Hill.
2. Abolition of the Agricultural
Annex of The University, of the Bard
of Agriculture and the Experimental
Stations, and the transfer Of these
departments with their funds 10 the
Clemson Collage.
3. Perhaps tie abolition Of the Il.
tadel Academy AMI its conversion
mo 4 tenlie college,.
/. Improvements in public schools,
election OF school trustees in place of
their appointment, &c.
). RcLnction OF expenses of the
government, l. By abolishing an:i
combining some Offices. .. BY redu.
cling some salaries. >. BY stopping
work ON State IIonso. 4. Byincreas.
ing the royalty on phosphates $50,
0OO.
G. A better inspection of fertilizers.
I. disappointment of rcpresenta-
tion in the Legislature and Conven
lion so that ea"h County shall have
it's fair proportion OF votes.
s. Election Of delegates to State
Convention by primary, and Il free
discussion Of all pnblic issues.
3. Constitutional Convention, an!
! variety Of other minor changes.
r. demand for some If the above
reforms" especially the first, second,
fifth. sixth and seventh gave rise TO
lie ''Furmers Association or Move
nent." Tris was started b. Tilman
some four years ago. II, became
Is recognized leader. and at various
ines in public speech advocated