The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-08
TILLMAN ON THE WAEPlTu.
Gonrts-The Governor Thinks BE Has
the Advantage of the Railroads.
Especial to News and Courier. |


ries out his intention of making the
roads pay up right away, as he says b
will. 1t was learned here to-day that
a circular had been issued by the Gov
ernor to sheriffs of different counties
instructing them to levy on the prop
erty of the roads whose taxes are in
dispute. This circular has not been
given to the newspapers, nor would
any of the State officials admit to-day
that it had been issued, but it has
been, for copy of it has by the merest
accident been seen by one not connect
ed with the Administration or the
railroads.
It was ascertained that the circular
was issued from the Executive Cham
ber" and not from the Comptroller
Generals office. The contents of the
circular and its instructions were such
that, if carried out, it would inevitably
result in conflict Of authority between
the State Of South Carolina and the
United States. It gave complete in
structions to the sheriffs, and among
other things said in substance that
they should at once proceed to levy on
the property of the railroads, but that
no engine or mail car should be held.
Passenger cars, according to the in
structions, could be held regardless Of
the interest or convenience Of the pas
sengers. SheriffS were instructed to
hold the property levied upon regard
less Of any orders from the Court in
Charleston like the Nance affair. The
"Court at Charleston" was underscored
to give it special notice. The Admin
istration evidently does not consider
Judge Slmonton's order in the case of
Sheriff Nance, of Abbeville, Of much
mportance, as the circular was issued
before the matter had been finally
acted upon in the United States Court
at Charleston. 1t is more than proba-
BILE that these instructions issued by
the Governor will play very impor-
tant part in the Courts as the litigation
proceeds.
1t was learned to-day that the State
would insist on the Is per cent. penalty
being collected on the amounts ten
dered by the railroads to the State
when the question of taxes was first
brought up. The railroads very nat
urally will object to the penalty being
attached and will fight the matter out
in the Courts. Altogether there is 60.
ing to be lively times ahead both for
the State and the railroads. The cir
,culars were dated on the 2Sth, but it
could not be learned whether they had
| been sent out Or not. Governor Till
man is away aud in the Comptroller
Generals office it was stated that no
circular of any kind in reference to the
railroads bad been issued.
TILLMAN'S CIRCULAR IN FULL.
Especial to News and Courier.l
SAVANNAH, February 1.-Much
comment has been caused here by the
publication of circular which fell into
the hands of the Central Railroad peo-
pie despite the efforts of Governor Till
man, the author, to keep it secret.
The circular is as follows:
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
COLUMBIA, January %, 1893.
To Mr.. Sir: Orders have gone from
the Comptroller-General's office to
county treasurers to issue executions
against all railroads which have de-
faulted in payment of taxes. 1t is the
wish of the Executive that these exc
cutions be pressed promptly and
enough personal property belonging to
the railroads be seized to satisfy the
claim of the State.
No mail car can be disturbed in
transit, or engine attached to one, but
passenger cars can be levied on. In
cases where a railroad has paid no
taxes for 1912 the executions must
be pressed without regard to the United
States Court at Charleston or its or.
ders (as in the Nance case) and the
property held at all hazards. We
have the law for it and the State Gov
ernment will stand by its officials and
see that they suffer no harm.
Of course this circular is confidential
ard must not be made public.
BENJAMIN TILLMAN,
Governor.
SHERIFF. M'CRAvY, OF LAURENs
SEXES THREE ENGINES AND FOUR
| FREIGHT CARS OF TIE PORT
ROYAL AND WESTERN
CAROLINA ROAD.
Special to News and Courier.1
| LAURENs, February 1.-Sherif Geo
S. McCravy levied on three engines
and four freight cars of the Port Roya
and Western Carolina Railroad at
O'Clock this evening for default in pay.
ment of taxes. The levy is made fol
taxes and penalty. The agent here
rendered the taxes yesterday without
the penalty, but the treasurer declined
to accept it, saying that the matte,
was then in the hands of the sheriff
The tender was made in the presence
of the sheriff.
| Sheriff McCravy was asked if be va!
acting under instructions, but declined
to answer. Two of the engines il
charge of the sheriff belong to freigh
| trains and the other service train