The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-25
CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASES.
The Railroad Pass in the Present Not What
It Was n the Past-Governor Tillman
Aptly Comprehends the Intent and
Purposes Of the Courtesy"
Especial to Charleston World.


Colombia, June 20.-Recent!y a
good deal has been said by the press
about the acceptance of railroad
passes by Governor Tillman and his
i'official family" To ascertain from
headquarters what there was III 1t, a
World budget representative asked
Governor Tlllman to-day whether there
was any truth in the statement that he
had a pass; if so, what he had to say
about it?
When the reporter asked thequestlon
point blank about the pass, the COVER
nor laughed and said:
II notice some editorial brethren,
who habitually use these little pieces
of paste board, very much disturbed Of
late about my accepting a like courtesy
from the railroad authorities. Without
solicitation or intimatiOn on my part
thatI should like such a thing, the
managers of the Richmond and Dan
Vile and South Carolina railways sent
me passts sometime in January. To
show how they were received you can
get the official copy book and print my
letter to Col: McBee."
The official copy book being produced,
the following letter was found bearing
on the subject:
COLUMBIA, Jan. q, 1897.
V. f. McBee. AshevilIe: Sir-Some lime
since received a complimentary pass over
the Richmond and Danville system in south
Carolina, accompanied by your cared. My frst
Impulse was to return 1t, with THANKS, be-
cau,e have IN the past criticised the Legls-
leture and other officers, and do not IKE TO
be placed in a false position. But after think
ing the matter over, l have decided TO accept
YOUR courtesy in the spirit in which am
sure you offered it. You know me too well to
think for an instant can be influenced by
so small d thing, and don't want to appear
churlish or picayunish by mistaking COM
pliment for bribe. l will therefore keep the
pass, and use it when occasion offers.
Thanking You kindly. am very truly, ETC.,
B. R. TILLMAN,
Governor of South Carolina
In the same connection it is not out
of place to state that the governor has
2,000-mile book, purchased by him
before he had ever received the courtesy
of pass.
It is also learned that other state Off
cials have passes, but in all cases they
have them by the usual courtesy of
railroads.
TIE DISCUSSION "vERY CONTEMPT
BLE,,n SAYS GOVERNOR TILLMAN.
The following is what the Columbia
correspondent Of the News and Courier
says of this free pass business under
same date as above.
IAN amusing inquiry is being con-
Quoted to-day by an enterprlslng cor
respondent to ascertain whether the
State officials have free passes on all, or
some, or none of the railroads. Some
of the officials have passes, and
some have passes and 1000 mile tickets,
and some buy tickets when they leave
their passes home. One of the officials
has pass No. l on the Richmond and
Danville Railroad and others have
higher tickets numerically speaking.
All of the officials who spoke on the
subject to-day said that the passes were
rendered and were accepted under such
explicit conditions that the railroads
offering the same could be in no doubt
as to the effect or result Of the tender
of the courtesies. In fact, it is said that
when the first pass was rendered
meeting of the officials was held to
discuss the situation.
"Governor Tillman was asked If he
had anything special or general to sly
on the free pass emeute. He said that
the agitation Of the thing was very con-
temptible, but his views could he found
in his official letter book, part of the
public records"