The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-13
BLOWS FOR THE BLOWER.
Colonel Keitt Begins to Review Tillnan-
Caustic Comment on What was Said
and What has been Done.
From the Greenville News.

The condition Of the people IS deplo-
rable and is rapidly growing worse. On
one side we are threatened with finan-
cial disaster. On the other demagogues
in their greed for office are "blowing"
the flames Of sectional and factional
hate. Intelligent and virtuous men
alone Can save US. No heed should be
given to unclean men-they are the
lepers of society and bring disaster and
ruin.
Five years ago B. R. Tillman made
his appearance before the public as the
advocate Of all agricultural and me-
chanical college, which was necessary
to place the farmers on an equality with
other classes and on the road to pros
perity. The farmers met in convention
in Columbia in April, 1886, under his
leadership for the purpose Of taking
steps to establish such college. Till
man declared be wanted DO office-that
all be desired was to be trustee Of
such an institution. The writer was
member of the convention and was in
full sympathy with the movement, as
he always has been and is with every
thing looking to the advancement Of
the agricultural interest. The conven-
ton had not adjourned thirty days
before the press of the State announced
as a fact Tillman bad sold out the
farmers movement to Dawson.
When the State nvention met in
the summer TilIman held a caucus Of
the farmers movement delegates and
tried to get them to vote for Sheppard,
lawyer, Dawson's candidate against
Richardson, a. farmer. AS Tillman had
been taking delight in abusing lawyers
his course was conclusive with many
that what the press stated was true
that he had sold US out to Dawson.
The writer lost confidence in him and
reluctantly consented in 1890 to support
him. He did not do so until he was
assured Tillnan was an allianceman
and after he heard him speak at New
berry, where, among other things, he
made the following pledges, not one OF
which he has kept. He said: 'If you
elect me governor the first message I
send to the legislature will ask them
to reduce the salaries Of all the State
officers" Earle said: "But you will be
elected and they can't reduce yours"
Tillman replied: 81 don't care if they
do" Did he send that message to the
legislature: ~. Why not: was be-
"blowing."
He said "fellow citizens you know
nothing about your State government.
You have been ruled by aristocrats
since the days of the Lords Proprietors.
If you elect me governor, I will ask
the Legislature to print ten thousand
copies of the Comptroller-GeneraPs re-
port and I will send them all over the
State, and you will then know what
is being DONE" Did he make this re-
quest? No. What excuse has he for
failing to do so? Was be :'blowing?'
He said, Fellow citizens, if you elect
me governor I will save you 100000"
Was be blowing? How now stand
matters? Instead of saving the State
100000 be has lost the State the first
year of his administration near Sl,000,-
900. He has put US on the down grade.
Matters are serious, and under his ad-
ministration they are growing worse
very fast. By bis bad management Of
the phosphate interest the estimate is,
be will have lost the State Sl6S,000 on
royalty at the end of the fiscal year,
March, 1872 When be went into Office
the bonds of the State were at pre-
MUM of about 5 per cent. Now they
are worth only SO cents on the dollar.
By their depreciation he has lost the
State about 100000. The public debt,
amounting to millions of dollars, is due
next year and will have to be paid OF
refunded. Georgia refunded her debt
at Per cent. and ours ought to be re-
funded for the same or less. The signs
are a Tillman administration can not
refund it except at high interest, if at
all. Capitalists have no confidence in
an administration headed by man
who recently said, II did great deal
Of blowing last summer. l don't recol-
lect all 1 said" Blowers never inspire
confidence in anybody.
When Tue Legislature, realizing the
scarcity of money and the straits TO
which the people are reduced, ex-
tended the time for the payment of
taxes to the goth of February, Tillman
refused to approve it. He is in soft
place. He has feathered his nest and
cares not a silver now for the people,
only for their votes. He saw very
differently when be had no gloves.
In the campaign of 1890 Tillman de-
nounced all who received free passes
On the railroads as bribe takers and
said they were tanned" He must
have been "blowing" 1t is alleged
that he rode on free pass No. and the
rail roads and express companies car
red everything free for him and he has
not denied it. By his silence be pleads
guilty. The legislature fixed him on
the free pass business. He has to pay
now like other people when he rides on
the cars hence his abause Of the MEM
bers of the legislature in his speech a
few nights ago at Laurens. He is mad.
He call. for legislature of henchmen