The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-22
ESTABLISHED 1865
REPLY TO COL. KEITT.
DIR, D. Z. Evans OF kinards, Defends Gov
srnor Tillmau's Administration.

EOltOr S1eEalU aUN NeHS. LII .N'uI
issue of the Sth inst. notice an ''ap-
peal" to the citizens Of South Carolina
from Col. Keitt. Such appeals | con-
slider not only an attack on Governor
Tillman, but on every man who voteC
for him two years ago and who sees
proper to sustain his admit isirIt!on
to-day.
Col. Keitt compares Gov. Tillman to
all Ignorant cobbler" unable to ''draw
a straight line" Let him ask 5000
saw peoplen whether Tillman draws a
line straight enough to keep them
within the bounds Of honesty and obe-
dience to the laws Of South Carolina.
| think they will tell him that he is
the best political carpenter" that ever
attempted to strengthen the "iarmers
platform" or drive nail into corrup-
lion wherever found.
Col. KeitJ attempts to prove, and
pretends to believe, that the Governor
IS political ignoramus, and bases his
charges on the assertion that he does
not know the difference between the
returns of property for taxes and the
assessment Of property for taxation.
This charge is so absurd that | doubt
whether any school girl IN South Car
oiina, over twelve years old would
maze it. | do not think Col. keltt
can state an Instance where 1lllman
or the Attorney-General has attempted
to change the returns of any Individual
or corporation when honestly made.
Does Col. keitt mean TO say that there
is no appeal from these boards OF
equalization even when the returns
are known to be Fraudulent Col.
keitt we'll knows that every farmer
is taxed on every dollar he has in
vested or under his control, and he
knows equally as we'll that no corpora
ton make their returns IN accordance
with the full amount Of property they
own or control. TO equalize this diff
ference between the farmer and the
"moneyed powers is the aim aud OBJ
iect of the Farmers Movement, and
must be the same with every officer
elected by that movement.
Col. Keitt accuses the Governor Of
ignorance in regard to the transfer Of
real estate, and attempts to illustrate
it by the recent transaction III regard
to Agricultural Hall. He says if
..chips and whetstoneS had been Of
fered as payment they should have
been refused" Was not something
far more worthless than either "chips
or whetstones" offered as payment for
this property? 1t is true the title was
vested in the State, and it was the
duty OF the Governor, AS guardian of
the State, to see that the State held
possession until all parties performed
their part of the compact; but the mo-
fr,r,S O cd Oft her
sidesthe transaction was void, though
it was discovered but moment after
all papers had been signed and trans
ferred. The Governors prompt action
in this case met the approval and
sanction of the Sinking Fund Com
mission and people generally. The
Governor and Sinking Fund Commis-
sion acted as agents, and in their en-
deavor to protect the State from Jf0ud
acted within the bounds of their au-
thosity, and it is therefore arrogant
and absurd to assert that they are in
dividually responsible.
In regard to the appointment Of
Jones and Gary to temporary seats on
the Supreme Bench l refer Mr.. Keitt
to the Attorney General view Of the
matter. Let him digest it we'll aud be
will be convinced that the Governor
followed in the footsteps Of his prede-
cessoFs and in the line of the constltu-
ton.
.Fhe most serious charge that Col.
Keitt brings against Gov. Tillman is
that he is Il Goddess man." What
does he base the charge on? Simply
an assertion made in the heat Of po-
litical debate: Will Col. keitt kindly
state what he considers "Godly
man.? Will he tell us what his reli-
sious persuasion is-to what church be
belongs-or does he consider all men
not of his persuasion heretics? If he
will answer these questions I will
know his standard" Of a Cody man
and will apply it to B. r. Tillman.
Col. Keict appeals to the people to
throw Tulman over if they wish to
save. the States credit, and predicts
''wars and bloodshed" if they do not.
Why is the credit of South Carolina
somewhat impaired? Simply on ac-
count of just such "appeals'' to the
passions and prejudic, Of man,. not to
his reason or common sense, but to the
basest elements Of his nature. Col.
keltt sliugs his venom right and left,
regardless whom ne defles. Does he
for moment suppose that such sour
rilous attacks on the citizens OF South
Carolina, through their adrlinistra-
tion, can make him respected, or ele-
vate the standard of the States credit
or honor? The sooner the Colonel
recognizes the fact that the people are
no longer under the control Of ante
bellum fossilites the better it Will be
for him. There can be no danger
from such appeals so long as they are
confined to the county or State, Tor
the people know these writers too we'll
/ know they are mad, but harmless.
But when sent out Of the State, aud
read, by parties ignorant as to the tr"s
naOtires Of such alarm!st, great deal
OF harm may result. If the credit of
South Carolina is ever damaged, or the
bloodshed predicted by Ccl. keitt
comes to pass, he and such like him
must be held responsible. ANY one to
read his article would suppose that we
were on the verge OF q bloody war and
ana.3hy was on boom. If Col.
Keitt's studies in the history of man
kind for forty years have taught him
ANYTHING it is that the most potent
-reformations have been blocdless.
Just such a revolution is on us now,
and two years ago Col. keitt was with
it body and soul, but was left He
now attempts to abuse an element
which he Can no longer hope to tnfu-
ence or control. Col. Keitt is neither a
Democrat nor a Republican, but Is
waiting for the Third party, and dong
all he can to hasten its advent, regard
less of consequences or the nacans he
uses to accomplish his purpose. This
being the case he has 10 right to ar
raigu the Democratic party. II Coz.
Eeitt will review his studies in history
he will find that sometimes just sach
appeals as his last one acts like a
boomerang. and often, when rebound
ing, stamps It's author will: the scar O
q traitor.
O. :. EVANS.
RinordS = C.