The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-29
MOCKBEE TO TILLMAN.
A Chester Representative Gives Some His
tory Of that Railroad Vote and Does
Rather Plain Talking.

To the Editor of the News and Cou-
rler: In answer to your question in the
editorial on the Tillman-Shell charge
OF being "bamboozled or debauched,n
contained in your issue of..May l3, beg
leave to reply that I suppose Tillman,
Shell, or whoever the author of that
, notable manifesto may be, was in need
| of something with which to fill upspace
and could think of nothing else when
he could get in those two high-sounding
words ''bamboozled or debauched,n so
as to make them effective in misleading
the Democratic farmers of the State,
and in hiding their real motive ofseek-
ing place and power-the ruse of cry
ing stop thief.
Just here let me say that in framing
that paragraph Of the Manifesto" as
little regard for truth or want of in
formation upon public affairs was
shown as has characterized all or most
all their utterances for the past two
years and which has driven away from
the Farmers Movement" some of the
best men of the State.
will say as to the ''charge," the only
truth contained in it is that voted for
the passage of the general railroad law
in 1882 and at the next session voted 70
amend it-and why?
Because, IN my judgment, after see
ing the workings and effects of the
law, it gave too great powers to the
commission over the property and busi-
ness of one class of citizens, and at the
same time it was seen that the people
or the State were not receiving the
benefit that we expected from the law
as it then stood. found it especially
so with my constituents, and after con-
sulting with many of the leading bust
ness men of Chester County, farmers
and others, determined to do all in
my power to correct what I believed to
be grave mistake. During the session
of 1883 I was more fully confirmed in
my change of opinion by the numerous
petitions from different portions of the
State praying for the repeal or modifi- y
cation of the law. Notably among those
House Journal, 1888, one by Mr.. Strib-
ling, of Oconee County; on page l96,
one by Mr.. Aiken, from the citizens Of
Edgetield County; and on the same
page, one by Mr.. Talbert, president of
the Shell convention, "from the busi-
ness men of Johnston; on page 2o3,
one by Mr.. Croft from citizens OF
Aiken; on page 233, two petitions by
Mr.. Stands, of Laurens County; on
page 2S5, two by Mr.. McIver, from
citizens of Darlington-all of which
went to show that the people Of the
State desired change of the law, and
would convince any fair minded man
that those who voted to aEend it were
neither "bambooZled or debauched."
AS to whether was bamboozled or
debauched let US have the verdict of the
Democratic party of Chester County.
candidate at the Democratic primary,
and went before the people upon my
record and upon every stand in the
county gave to the people, face to face,
an account of my stewardship, and
especially as to how and why voted
thus and so on all important measures,
and particularly why I voted to amend
the rail road law. Now, J would asked
Messrs. Tillman, Shell & Co., do they
think the Democratic voters, farmers"
and all who in that primary election
nominated me by the largest vote given
any man for the Legislature, Were
"bamboozled or debauched" into doing
so, and if so, why did Mr.. Tillman's
particular friend and ally, DR.. Thinner
man, of Edgefeld County, who had
served with me in the Legislature
during the term of 1882 SO and knew
my record we'll, recommend-me as a
fit person to lead in the organization Of
the Farmers Movement in Cheste:
County, and which, believe, Mr.. TIL
man himself will give me credit for do
ing as thoroughly as possible.
In conclusion, let me say that the
Farmers Movement had my heartiest
support and Mr.. Tillman my sympathy
until his groundless charges Of corrup-
ton and extravaganza against our
chosen Democratic officials and leaders
and his egotistical laudation of himself,
capped finally by having committee
appointed by Farmers Convention,
Of which he was made chairman, to
attend upon sessions Of the Legislature
of South Carolina to bulidoze "bam-
boozle or debauch" its members into
| voting for such measures as he and his
henchmen had agreed upon. All Of
which was conclusive proof to me 81
least that and the Democratic farmers
of South Carolina had made serious
mistake as to our leader, in which view
I am confirmed by the Shell manifesto,
the March Convention, and his every
utterance there and since.
Democrats of South Carolina, the
great Bamboozler is abroad in the land,
and his name is B. R. Tillman.
r. T. MOCKBEE.