The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-10-18

the silver certificates in gold, and thereb
yielded to the money kings OF Wal street
He stated that he had read NE le,ters 40
with the appointments 10 my distrlct, an
said that the ouly request he had 10 make G
me was that would not recommend an
one for office except Democrats. told MN
that. Ihad not, nor would |. recomend an.
one knowingly, except Democrats, and II IN
charge ives made against any one whom
recommended that would be willing 10 suomi
would withdraw my endorsement " coul'
not esrahlishd the fact Of their Democracy,
Being satisfied with my explanation ~
told me TO go and tell Mr.. Maxwell 70 tak a.,
clerk to take up the off1cies with me: w
examined and found about nine offices In To-
district where the time had expired Tor IN,
present incumbent, and he stated as ne wal
busy he wanted time to look over the paper
on file AID asked me to call few day.
later.
left the office. and at the time appointed
by him returned to his office. He informed
had indorsed had been accused OF being
Alliancemen and third partyltes, asked Tins
10 envestigate the charges, and made another
appointment.
Icalled at the time appointed again. and he
stated that Mr.. Biasell had decided that nc
Allianceman should be appointed to office
and that l would have 10 see Mr.. Bisseil
went to Mr.. BIssell's office And he said
that he bad made that decision, and when
explained to him that the electoral vote Of
South Carolina was controlled largely by the
Alliance votes Of the State and that among
the best Democrats in our state were the
members OF the Alliance, men who had never
voted any other tick ct, nor affiliated with OF
advocated any other party, but who would De
ruled out of the democratic party by any
such decision, he asked me to call again.
saying that an Allianceman, Populist and
third party man all meant the same
thing.
I ask ed him if sworn statements from prom
inent Democrats In the different localities OF
the democracy Of these candidates whom
had recommended were submitted If 1t would
be satisfactory. He said II would, and all he
demanded was that recommended true
Democrats.
have now on file In the postofice depart
ment sworn statements as 10 the democracy OF
each candidate whom 1 have endorsed
will say in conclusion that at almost ev.
cry Office where there has been contest,
there are Infamous slanderous letters on file
against me and those whom represent, writ
ten Ivy my opponents in politics from The re-
spective offices. and that George Johnstone Is
now In Washington, and has been for some
time, frequently visiting the departments,
and also upon the floor of the House, malign-
Ing and charging me with being third par
tyite, claiming that he was honestly elected
but counted out by our faction. seeking In ev-
cry way possible to destroy my influence and
usefulness, and defeat the will ol the people
as expressed by their votes.
1t Is with great reluctance that even make
this statement through the press, but realiz-
Ing the fact that my constituents have risht
10 know my position relative TO these ap-
pointments, and having been charged with
frequeniing the Postottice Department and
begging for patronage, state that In the first
Interview with Mr.. Blssell made 1t plain to
him that If he preferred TO recognize any one
else than myself In aking recommenda-
tions for the appointments from the Third
District. that I did not want him TO consider
me as standing In the way, as won d not sac
rlfce my principles for the appointments !;
these poStoffices.
He held out every inducement, as the fore
going statement will show, and feel now has
Intentionally mlsled me. l am also thor
oughIy satisfied from what have seen In the
departments and from the treatment have
received and statements made by members
on the floor Of the House that this patronage
question has been, and Is now being, held as O
menace for the purpose OF influencing men,
bers In voting the views OF the administra-
tion, and also TO aid In the election OF men,
bers to the next House In full sympathy with
Since visiting the above, have further in
vestigated McIlwain's appointment under
Harrison, and find that the only paper on file
ed on having a copy Of this letter, but was re,
fused by the Fourth Assistant Postmaster
General.
The following is the substance of the letter
crat at Hodges. and that Mr.. McIlwain, a
staunch Republican. be appointed In his
stead" II Is signed "W. w. Russell, member
Of the State Executive Committee Of the In
dependent Republican Party"
Feeling that an injustice had been done the
people Of Hodges, and having been in nformed
by the Postmaster General that he had acted
upon General Buffers endorsement. ad
a frIt0 1ntf no 1nr
"-'O'' A. C. Latimer.
Washington, D. c., October S, 1898.
Hon. M. c. Butler, Washington, d. c.
Dear Sir: find at the Postoff1ce Depart
ment Mr.. McIlwain has been reappointet
postmaster at Hodges, South Carolina, and
that you have asked for that appointment
There is on file with the Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General sworn state ement to thu
effect that Mr.. McIwain Inflated with The
| Republican party and received his appoint
mtnt from President Harrison, pledging feal
| ty 10 that party.
This statement is certified to by the presi
dent Of the Democratic club at Hodges: alst
| by Hon. d. II. Magill, a member OF the House
Of Representatives, who lives al Hodges VIII
several Democrats who voted at that precinct
There is also letter on file IN the Postofhc'
Department. signed by D. ii Magill, alleging
that McIlwain paid IS TO w. w. Russell TO
| his influence In securing him the office.
the only endorsement on file asking for Mr.
McIlwain's appointment under Presiden
Harrison was q letter signed by w. w. Rus
sell.
asked for a copy OF that letter, which wa
refused me. The substance OF that letter |
about as follows: ~ ask for the removal @
the present incumbent at Hodges, who Is
staunch Democrat, and that Mr.. Mcllwain b
appointed In his stead, who is staunch Re
publican"
Now, l ask are you, the senior Senator from
South Carolina, representing In part the en-
tire Slate, willing TO stand silently by and a.
low this imposition upon our people, and th'
gross prostitution OF Democracy go unrt
buked? One Gict Is clear, Mcllwaln was AZ
pointed postmaster at Hodges on tho stnlt
r ment that he was RepubI lean, upon the oil
cia recommendation OF member OF IN
State executive committee OF the 1ndepend
ent Republican party OF South Carolina.
Yours very respectfully,
Member Congress, Third District.
Washington, D. c., Oct. 7, 1893
: Hon: A. Z. Latimer, House OF Represents
My Dear Sir: In reply to yours of the 81
instant, beg TO say | received letter lror
!. Mr.. w. c. MCGOWAN and Mr.. Ellis Graydn
! testifying TO the Democracy of Mr.. McllWail
and that l forwarded this letter to the Pos
Office Department with my endorsement.
: know nothing of his politics, aud am not SUI
i that know him. Some days ago one Of III
h newspapers OF our Stale asserted that Mr. vi
y Twain was Republican. The enclosed repl
TO this was published. BEYOND this have u
G information. ! simply discharged an oftici'
q duty. and am quite we'll satisfied with !
n You OF course will adopt such a course "a yC
4 may think proper. II Mr.. McIlwain is Il
q q publican, somebody has committed perjnr
4 At any rate l shall stand by the position
- have taken. based as 1t is upon the assuranc
:. Of very honorable men. or until evidence
|; forthcoming TO upset their statements. 1t Is
~ matter of much more concern to the people
q. Hodges than 10 anybody else. and II yt
n choose TO move against Mr.. Mcllwatn, III