Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-08-15

had returned his cows for taxation at go each
and sold them to the Lunatic Asylum, which
was practically under his control, for
s36 each; and that his returns of property
for taxation gave figures representing not
more than one-third Of its value. In view
OF the tightness of money the legis-
lature at its last session had extended the time
for paying taxes about two months. The gov
ernor. finding hiatus in the treasury immi-
nent, let ID be announced that he would not ap-
prove the extension, and thus forced many
poor farmers to make sacrifices to pay their
taxes In time, as they supposed, to escape the
penalty. But he signed the joint resolution and
il is claimed did not pay his own taxes until his
extension had nearly expired. He spent part
of the fund, it was charged. for repairs Of the
Executive Mansion in combs pictures and q
Jogging board" All Of these charges shocked
class of men who had expected Spartan ad-
ministration of his Office and one which would
be very close to 1.-THE common people,"
TIE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT.
The existence OF this dissatisfaction among
his own followers gave hope to those who had
always opposed Gov. Tillman and the business
men, who considered themselves menaced by
class government and a war upon capital and
property In February last this feel
ing was expressed by call signed
by ex-senator Hampton and other
prominent democrats for a convention to be
held in March-hke Tilman's Of two years be-
fore-to inaugurate a fight against Tillman
Inside the party" This call was at first re-
ceiyed with some indifference, and it was
for time considered possible that
those who had supported the ''straightout'' or
Haskell movement two years before would
make fight to the finish against TiIman out
side of the regular organization. But The State
newspaper. which had been established early in
1891 as a representative of the "straightout"
faction, secured from ex-senator Hampton
and others of the more conservative
leaders invitation for the partici-
patton Of the ''straightouts" upon equal
terms in the new movement. and thence
forward the two wings of opposition to Tillman
held in March last, all shades Of -Tillmanism
were represented from nearly every county
Even the Tillmanites admitted that in person
mel it was splendid body Of men.
The convention adopted a very conservative
course and pledged itself to work strictly
within the lines of the democratic party. It
adopted platform declaring for "peace and
unity among democrats and, as the prime es-
sential to such a result. the defeat of Gov.
Tillman as a breeder Of strife and rancor
II declared against the administration
policy upon various points and nominated q
strong ticket for state Offices. headed by eI-
Gov. John C. Sheppard OF Edgefeld. whose
cause Tlman had championed four years
before. and whom he had highly praised.
The administration, from the date Of the
issue in February of the call for q convention,
had anticipated contest and made provision
for il. The Charleston World, the daily which
had championed the Tillman cause in 1890, had
suspended publication six months be-
fore, and there was no daily newspa-
per in the state supporting the ad-
ministration save the Columbia Reoister. No
competent editor could be found in South Caro-
linn 20 advocate the reelection of Gov. Till
man, and resort was had to Georgia, whence the
former editor Of the state alliance organ was
brought to battle for Tillman during the cam
paisn.
THE GOVERNOR GETS MAJORITY.
Two joint debates were held between Gov.
Tillman and ex-Gov. Sheppard soon after the
meeting Of the conservative convention-one at
Greenville and the other at Edgfeld, the home
of both the gubernatorial candidates. At each
the friends of the governor mustered q major
ity. Within q fortnight after the con-
cratic club meetings were held throughout the
state to elect delegates 70 county conventions,
which in turn were to elect delegates to Q state
convention in May. This state convention was
for the purpose OF sending delegates to the
national democratic convention at Chicago and
electing national committeeman.
South Carolina has been o most devoted
Cleveland state. The late F. W. Dawson. editor
of the Charleston Ne,rs and Courier during
its zenith period Of power and influence,
had been a strong admirer OF the e1-
s, n s1d ,b: able sous Gsrd0
during Mr.. Cleveland's term of office
probably had smaller proportion Of anti
Cleveland democrats than'any other state. The
great and sudden growth Of the alliance had,
however, changed this sentiment among the
farmers. The alliance was and is the deadly
enemy Of the existing financial system, and its
organs and orators had constantly inveighed
against Mr.. Cleveland as being "under the in
fuence Of Well street There was little open mani
festaton of this feeling up few DAYS before the
democratic club meetings on the 9th Of April,
but the alliance element controlled in most Of
these meetings, and while the delegates were
chiefly chosen on the issue Of Tllmanism
against conservatism, they we're nearly all ALI
ance men and imbued with it, ideas.
THE CONSERVATIVES IN THE MINORITY.
The conservatives tried to make showing
Of strength at these club meetings, but with
only two weeks to work in they failed to win.
Many clubs changed from Iilmanism to con-
servatism, but not enough to move
more than two or three counties from
their Iillman allegiance. When the
county conventions were held a catechism
organ. was rut to the candidates for election to
the state convention. They had to subscribe
to the Ocala demands and av ow enmity to "Wall
street influences or they couldn't be elected.
he result was that four-hfths OF the delegates
were pledged before they were elected.
The conservatives only had about Is
per Gems of the delegates chosen
Several OF the county conventions controlled
by Tiilmanite alliance men refused to adopt
resolutions pledging support to the nominees
of the national democratic convention, and
one. after celebrating to the propriety Of
sending delegates to q democratic or to peo-
pies party convention, adopted the st. Louis
platform Of the peoples party and elected
delegates TO the democratic state convention.
On the night before the convention met in
Columbia a caucus Of the alliance men, who
were delegates. was held. They had an over
whelming majority. A hot discussion was had
as to the propriety Of declaring for the people,
party but il was finally resolved to make the
convention adopt the Ocala platform and to
await the action Of the national democratic
convention before abandoning the party.
Among the resolu lions agreed upon were some
bitterly condemning Mr.. Cleveland as stool
of the money power" and warning the ma
tional democracy that his nomination would
create grave Dissatisfaction in South Caro-
lima.
When the convention met the Tillmanite ma
jority refused to take cognizance Of the third
party declarations Of some Of its members. The
conservatives, who were all for Cleveland,
fought the alliance caucus resolutions hard, a.
an unwarranted insult to great democrat and
one who would probably have to be supported
as the presidential nominee, but they
were overwhelmed by the alliance
majority. 1t is doubtful il the
denunciation Of Mr.. Cleveland would have re-