The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-05-21
TIE GREAT BAMBOOZLER.
THE ORGANIZER OF THE FARMERS
MOVEMENT IN CHESTER IS TIRED
OF TILLMAN.
Good Reasons Going to Show why
the Railroad Law ShOald Have
been Modified.

the Railroad Law ShOaId Have
been Modified.
To the Editor of the Neus and Courier:
In answer to your question in the editorial
on the Tillman Shell charge Of being "bam-
booZled or debauched," contained In your
suppose Tiilman. Shell, or whoever the
author of that notable manifesto may be. was
In need of something with which to fill up
space and could think OF nothing else when
he could get in those two high-sOnnding
words Gnnlboozted or de6ducled. so as TO make
them effective in misleading the Democratic
farmers Of the State, and In hiding their real
motive of seeking place and power-thc ruse
OF crying stop thief.
IGNORANCE OR LACK OF TRUTH.
Just here let me say that in framing that
paragraph Of the ''ManifestO" as little regard
for truth or nam Of Information upon public
affairs was shown MS 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 ms to the "charge," the only truth
contained In 1t Is that voted for the passage
OF the general railroad law in 1889 and nt the
next session voted TO amend it-and why?
REASONS FOR REPEAL OF RAILROAD LAW.
Because, in my Judgment, after seeing the
workings and effects Of the law, IL gave too
great powers to the commission over the
property and business of one class Of citizens.
and at the same Time 1t was seen that the peo-
pie Of the Stnte were not receiving the benefit
that we expected from the law as II then
stood. found 1t especially so with my own
constituents, and after consulting with many
Of the leading business men Of Chester Coun-
tip, farmers and Others, determined to do oil
IN my power to correct what believed 10 he
a grave mistake. During the sessions of 1888
was more fully confirmed In my change of
opinion by the numerous petitions from diff
ferent portions of the State, praying for the
repeal or modification of the law. Notably
among those petitions will be found on page
III, House Journal, 1853, one by Mr.. Stribling,
Of Oconee County; on page l9G, one by Mr..
Croft, OF Aiken. from the citizens OF Edgefleld
County on the same page, one by Mr.. Tai
bert, president OF the Shell Convention, "frnm
one by Mr.. Croft from citizens of Aiken on
page 2i3 two petitions by Mr.. Shands, of Lau.
rreHs t0uniy; on pr fgge5, ge 2S5 Mr.. Mcfver
from citizens Of Darllngton-all of which
went 10 show that the people OF the State de-
sired a change OF the law, and would con
vince any fair-minded man that those who
voted 10 amend itwcre neither "bamboozled
or debauched."
CnESTER'S VERDICT.
AS to whether 1 was bamboozled or de.
bauched let US have the verdict of the Dem
Orratic party of Chester County. In the CAM
paisn OF 1871 was again candidate at the
Democratic primary, and went before the peO-
the country gave to the people. face TO face.
an account OF my stewardship, ana especially
as to how and why voted thus and so on all
important measures. and particularly uly
rOteu 10 amend The raihOdd iuW. Now, / would
ask Messrs. Tlllman, Shell & Co., do they
think the Democratic volers, farmers" and
all who In that primary election renominat,d
me by the largest vote given any man for the
Leg Slnture, were "DnTn booZlcd or dcbauched"
In To doing so, and if so. why did Mr.. Till
mans particular friend and ally, DIR. Thinner
man, OF Edgeneld County, who had served
with me in the Legislature during the term
of lhS2-S and knew my record well. recon-
mendcd me as Il fit person 10 lead in the
organization OF the TURNER'S Movement in
Chester County, and which, believe, Mr.. Till
man himself will give ME credit for doing rs
thoroughly as possible.
TIRED OF TILLMAN.
In conclusion let me say that the Farmers
Movement had my heartieSt Support and Mr..
Tlllman my sympathy until his groundlesS
charges OF corruption and extravaganza
aga inst our chosen Democratic officials and
leaders and his egotisticnl landation OF him
sell, capped finally by haying a committee
appointed by u Farmers Convention, oil
which he was made chairman, to attend upon
the sessions Of the Legislature of South Car
olina 10 buldoze, ''bambooZe or dcbauch"
its members into voting for such measures as
he and his hcnchmcn had agreed upon. All
OF which was conclusive proof TO me at least
that and the Democratic farmers Of South
Carolina had made q serious mistake rs TO our
leader, In which view 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. L. Iillman.
II. II. MOCKBEE.