The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1893-02-15

tablished."
When the Governor was reminded
that the railroads base their present
actions upon the fact that they are
in the hands of receivers appointed
by the United States Court, and that
Judge Simonton's orders are like
wise founded, he said:
1--WE will whip him (Simonton) on
that, too. All we want him to do is
to take a hold, and then I will take a
stronger one, which will land him in
the United States Supreme Court.
IF he does not arrest our officers
we will levy upon every road in
South Carolina that has not paid it's
taxes,
"What we wish is to get the case
into the United States Supreme
Court as quickly as possible, and we
are determined to see the matter
through to the end.
Il wish they would arrest me. [
am the only man hat is in contempt
of court; I issued the orders to the
Sheriffs and Treasures to proceed
with the ~levies, and they were only
acting under my instruction and
obeying the laws of the States which
define their duties"
The Governor was visited during
the day by Sheriff Scarborough of
Darlington county, who desired in
structions regarding the Carolina,
Sumter and Northern Railroad,
which company desired a little
further time for paying its taxes.
This accommodation the Governor
granted on the ground that the COM
pany in question was not trying to
fight against the payment required
by the State.
The Sheriff of Berkeley county
yesterday stopped a passenger train
on the Charleston, Sumter and
Northern Railroad at Eutawville, and
chained down the first and second
class coaches, levying upon them for
unpaid taxes. This, of course,
caused. great trouble and inconven-
fence, as the train was stopped on
the main line, thereby blocking all
traffic on the road.
News o r. ess4FFeHeeSreaei1exiz
hhe city in the following telegram:
! SUMTER, S. c., Feb. 7, 1898.
Gov. B. R. Tillman, Columbia, S. c.:
I The Sheriff of Berkeley county
this morning attached the first and
second class coaches on wi mail
train from Pregnall's to Gibson at
Eutawville.
I offered him an engine and n
coach that was on the side track if
he would not interfere with the pas
senger train. He refused to accept
them, and chained the coaches, effec-
tually blocking all traffic on the road
until the matter can be settled.
am expecting funds daily to set
tie all taxes, and bave given other
Sherifs ample property to protect
themselves until matters can be set
tied. 7 have no desire to fight the
case, but think the Sheriff of Berkeley
county, in completely blocking traffic
and the mails, is going beyond your
instructions.
Can you arrange with the Sheriff
so that we can open theroad? Kindly
advise.
(Signed,) J. E. AvER1LL.
General Manager.
Governor Tillman showed very
plainly in his action in this matter
hal he is not at all disposed to i'm
pose the least hardship upon the
railroads if they evince a disposition
not to antagonize the laws of the
State. He is, on the other hand,
quite willing and ready to extend to
them all the accommodation in his
power if they show an intention to
pay their honest taxes to the State.
The Governors reply was as follows:
COLUMBIA, S. c., Feb. 7, 1893.
J. H. Averill, G. NJ, S. & n. r. R.,
Sumter, S. g.:
Will order Sheriff to open line and
give you time to pay taxes.
(Signed) B. R. T1LLMAS, Gov.
In accordance with the above
promise Governor Tillman sent this
telegram to Sheriff Morrison:
COLUMBIA, S. c., Feb. 7, 1898.
J. B. Morrison, Sheriff of Berkeley
county, Eutawville, S. c.:
You must net block main line of
railroad. All passenger cars to 60,
and hold engine and coach on side
track offered you by railroad authori-
ties till taxes are paid.
(Signed) B. R T1ILNAN, Gov.
Nothing can show more plainly
the absolute fairness of the Governor
to the railroads than the above tele-
grams sent by him. Perhaps other
companies will, ere long, wish they
ILL.,