The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-05-03


| The reporter complied, and the Ex-
Governor made the following statement
for publication relative to the recent
decision of the Supreme Court of the
United States in the habeas corpus tax
cases and the pending contest between
the railroads and the State regarding
taxes.
FURTHER LITIGATION WOULD BE
CRIMINAL.
"On the other hand, the true interests
of the railroads demand peace and a
settlement of differences with the tax
ing powers. The cost of these suits IS
heavy. None but lawyers profit by
them. Lawsuits are warrantaole only
when grave disputes cannot be settled
otherwise. 4 state of enmlty or war
between the officers Of the State and its
railroads is injurious in thousand
ways. The present depression in rail-
road business makes thee injuries
specially hard to bear. Besides, what
iniures the railroads Injuries all the peo-
plS. Railroads are the nerves Of traffic
and business. They give life also to all
other kinds of business. A community
that has no railroads regards them as
the greatest of boons, but too often, as
here, when they have them, they turn
upon them as enemies.
SETTLEMENT BY NEGOTIATION OR AR
BITRATION.
"Such being the situation, I say the
only sensible course is TO settle differ
ences here and low. 1t can be done, II
botn sides will admit tindisputable facts:
IF some one or more representatives of
the State, and one or more representa-
tives of the railroads, were to sit down
as business men and confer over the
problem, they could reach an easy solu-
ton, and one just to both parties. L
am only an agent of the Court, having
no authority of my own, but will guar
antee to secure the me cordial assent
of the court to any reasonable efforts to
bring about an end of this railroad
fight. We are all tried Of it. Victory,
on which every side it falls, is too
costly. I say to Governor Tillman and
to Comptroller Ellerbe-Let US make
an effort to secure our respective rights
no negotiation. If we cannot succeed,
then we can fight. But we can sue
ceed, if we really want to. The victory
is to-day with the railroads, but [ am
none the less anxious to stop the
quarrel. My anxiety is in the Interest
of railroads. I am not afraid to cry
peace before the war begins or goes
further. I shall fight all the better for
it if We cannot have peace.
WHAT WILL GOVERNOR TILLM AN DO
ABOUT IT?
II am not formally authorized to
speak for anybody but myself, but !
will undertake to bring every railroad
now in litigation with the State into an
agreement to negotiate or arbitrate
their differences, and to close this
destructive warfare without further
cost or delay, including the prompt
payment of all taves for the past or
future which may be judged or agreed
to be just and right. There need be
no commitments in advance; only a
simple agreement to try to agree. Can
anything he fairer. Who can refuse to
aid in such an effort? I am deeply in
earnest. have no prejudice towards
individuals or parties which will hinder
me from having the most cordial and
respectful business relation towards
this problem. Any two or more clear
headed, dispassionate business men, or
men with sound business ideas, would
be acceptable to me and to the rail-
roads. I propose, in default of any one
else doing it, myself to call Governor
Tillman's attention to these sugges-
tions, and to relieve myself from any
responsibility for further controversy
over taxes with the State or State
officers"
GOV. TILLMAN SAYS THERE SHALL BE
NO ARBITRATION OF RAILROAD
TAXES.
Especial to News amp Courier.
COLUMBIA, May Observation-Disclosures
lain's plain and sensible suggestion
that the railroad tax matter be arbrl-
trated. which wcs published in The
News and Courier to-day, was the sub
ject of general talk. Various were the
opinions expressed as to its accepta-
bility and feasibility. There was but
one opinion on the subject in the State
House and that was altogether unfavor-
able to the scheme. "It's war to the
end" is the cry in the nest OF the Ad-
ministratjon. Expenses and uneaslness
do not count.
Well there is one thing especially
noticeable, so far as the Administration
is concerned, and it is that B. r. Till
man is the captain of the ship, and
Just whatever be says goes" Reason
ing from this point the one thing to be
considered, so far as the arbitration Is
concerned, is what does Governor
rillmau say about the matter?"
To begin with, Governor Tillnan
was besieged by an army of CONNER
ciaI agents, with samples" friends,
editors and others, aud it was alter 8
O'Clock when the long waiting ana
anxious newspaper men went into MS
Office. Although the interview was
brief it was decidedly to the point, and
Governor Tilinan has in his most EN-
phatic manuer said that he will have
nothing to do with the plan. and
brands it as the ''qrintessence OF lnso-
lence."
When asked for hiI opinion as to the
scheme be promptly replied: Il lhlnk
the State of S"uih Carolina has Courts
vi INV W SClIIS al SuSh HuCSIiOho' N'1S
Will not IL hitratc with anybody ABOUT
her taxes"
Then Governor Tillman walked
around Il little, aud after a few mo-
nents' reflection gave little mere Wig
orous statement.
1.-The State will never arbitrate as to
the justice or equality of taxes. and she
will not discriminate on such matter,
especially not against a citizen 'as
against corporation"
80 don't suppose anything will
come out Of the scheme?n l said.
"Nothing was intended" was the
reply. "This proposal is the qulntes-
sence of insolence, coming from the
source it does. The South Carolina
Road wanted to pay us taxes in repu-
diation bonds, and after waiting a
whole year the Legislature agreed to
take the taxes without any interest
rather than repeal its charter. We are
neither defenceless nor without re-
sources with which to continue the
fight. We will certainly continue un-
iii the end is reached. If the means