The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-04-06
TILLNAN on THE PRIMARY.
Why Re has Changed Els PositioE-A
Strong Presentation OF the Situation
and Reasons why primaryis
- net Wiss.
[CoIumbia Register, 24th.I

III view of the fact that numbers Of
anti-Tillman meetings, %hich have
elected delegates to the convention
which meets to-day, have adopted
resolutions demanding direct primary,
areporter for the Register sought an in
terview with Governor Tiilman to hear
what be had to say on the subject. The
scribe began his probing with the
question: Governor, what is your opin-
ion in regard to direct primary?
He answered: II am surprised that
you should ask this question when the
matter was fully discussed by ME dur
ing the last campaign. an neof the
pioneers in the agitation in advocacy
of State primary,and in 1883, on two
occasions, in both State Conventions,
made speeches advocating he nonina-
ton of State officers by this method.
In both conventions the matter was
overwhelmingly defeated and after
careful analysis aud study of the situa-
ton so far modified my opinion as to
advocate the plan, now in vogue, OF
electing delegates by a primary. The
demand for change was made in the
March platform, 1850, which I wrote,
and it was incorporated in the party
constitution in September. The pres
ent hue and cry for direct primary is
q piece Of political clap-trap by which
my enemies seek to place me IN false
position. If it were carried out they
would be the first to regret itand advo-
cate a change. They don't want 1t.
But I desire 70 say right here that indi-
vidually am willing and was in 1890
10 submit my candidacy to a direct vote
of the white Democrats of the State. l
have every reason 20 believe that my
strength would be more clearly shown
aud I would have more emphatic en-
dorsement under that plan than l
could under the existing one. The
counties of Georgetown, Beaufort,
Sumter, Richland and Fairfield, which
are all debatable, and which, for the
sake of argument, I will say will go
against me, would in that event be
ccunterb balanced by the majority L~ss-'
pect to obtain in either Spartanburg or
Greenville. The demand for the pri-
mary arose in the white section Of the
State and was designed to break up
ring rule. It was never intended to
take any advantage Of the brave Demo
Gratis of the negro counties"
"What caused you to modify your
opinion and change from direct pri-
mary to an election Of delegates by pri-
mary?'
"Well, the primary system looks to
obtaining the popular voice by allowing
the individual voter express his person
al preference and the present system
gives that. I am and always have been
in favor OF the people selecting their
own rules"
The Governor here put his hand in
his breast pocket and drew out note
book and said: Here is table which
I have prepared for campaign purposes.
This is my basket of rocks he laugh
ingly added, land I will chunk one
into the enemy's camp before the cam
paign opens. 1t is table giving the
white and colored population, with the
delegates in the State Convention, OF
fourteen counties, and will show very
clearly what disturbing factorin State
politics a direct primary would be-"
Here is the table:
NNhita Cnlnre6 Dalatra taS