The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-08-11

A seoreai.g Leaer @ as rsslie.

n Seorehiag Letter 10 the Public.
believe the public is generally aware
snas 1 have been waiting on Capt. James
IsDman, who announced his inteniion os
of answering S~-..>- ....y, .rrlcIe, the eist
"sIcn is: that he. Senator Irby, IL not the
real author or responsible foe the statement
IN the "Cra idock" article. but that James
TiIlman Is, and he supports this assertion by
smdsvite from Maj. w. r. Gary, DR.. Samp-
SON Pope and one Matthew fighe. his secre-
ts,y.
In order that the public may catch the
whole matter clearly I will state that last
Christmas, while snow-bound here in Colun-
biz, and afterwards whilst snow-bouud in
Laurens, prepared rough article on the
political situstien Ii South Carolina, headed
.'The Reform Movement and "Some Christ
mas Reflections Of an Old Reformer. 1t was
written from patriotic standpoint and was
intended for the good Of the Reform move
nent and u ''pour oil nnnc .ss troubled
=..sSs" OF 'ne State. 1t endeavored to crit
icise all fsctions fairly and there is unsvoid-
ably in such an article some honest and fair
criticism Of Governor Tillman as q public
officer.
While contemplating its publication under
. nom de plume on its merits I read il to
Mr. John G. Capers, Of the Columbia Journal,
whose paper had announced its intention to
pursue non-partisan course in accord with
the general spirit Of the article, and also to
Mr.. James II. Tllman, telling the latter that
j intended to bring the article to Washing
ton and submit it to the criticism OF his
father, whom l considered q broad gusged
statesman, who was, with Gen. Gary, one Of
the founders Of the Reform Movement in
IL
Titlman were both anxious to publish the
article, but withheld it for further consid-
GRAFTON, and In accordance with the advice
OF some OF my friends, and in consideration
OF the fact that it contained some criticism
OF Governor Tillman, to whose administra-
tion belonged, l had almost, il not alto
gether, abandoned the idea Of publishing,
but now since it has been brought in ques.
tion, will let it % to the press with the
request that although it is somewhat long
every paper in the State will publish it, aud
do not only ask, but challenge criticism
OF 1t from the standpoint Of truth, true Dem
ocrncy and patriotism.
Governor Tllman is strong enough and
brave enough, not only to stand bat to accept
the criticism 1t contains in proper spirit, for,
as Senator Irby once said to him, in one of
his flashes Of truth and honesty, ave both
know that Farley never fatters us or tells US
any lies Possibly if the article is care
fully read, and its advice needed it may yet
represent the good that is to come out of this
coutro rsy.
had been invited to stay with Capt. Till
man in Washington, but the rush Of visitors
was SO great that l remained with the staff,
and during my entire stay did not have
Z We than fiveminute conversation with
nrsh, nor did l read or exhibit the article to
any one in Washington: Meeting numbers
OF friends, and seeking no Office there. was
constantly engaged socially, aud had but
little to do with politics iu any form. The
charge that had conversation with Capt.
Tillman aud offered him an article for pub
lcation which he refused, and told him of
combination which had been agreed upon,
Offering him the position of Adjutant Gene
raj, Is as pure and unadulterated a lie as
was ever put upon paper, no matter who is
the author or instigator of it. Indeed, on
Saturday after the inauguration" when
Senator lrby says it took place, had left
Washington, and was speeding my way to
South Carolina. The alusion 10 the article
which had shown Capt. Tillman before he
left the State, at least six weeks before, is all
the truth there is to it.
l have asked the lapers to republish that
wonderful epi-te to the Georgians, making
'new revelations" Of q fearful combination
to "overthrow Tillman and Irby," so that
they can study and analyze it carefully, and
they will find but a little of James Tillman
in it, just enough to satisfy his vanity, a
good deal of my old friend Maj. Gary, and
it is bristling all over with Irby, in whose
interest was it written, and for what pur-
poses, who inspired it, who concocted it, or
actually wrote it. Did Matthew, Mark,
Luke or John all have hand in the epistle
to the Georgiaps, and send it under James
TIllman's nom de plume, CraddOck? Was
Jim implicated himself, or, as they have
taken such extraordinary pains to make the
public believe, did he originate and write it
himself?
have shown how the talk about "an ar
ticle" origin ated, a,d l will show the public
the article, and my explanation of the grand
combine is simple and easy. lrby heard of
the Farley article. Shell had announced his
intention to retire, which he conld not un-
derstaud (for there is no retiring in lrby).
Farley had called by Senator Buffers office
one day with Col. William II. Perry, and
knowing of Senator Irby's bitter hatred, had
ignored him while in Washington, aud Irby
began to ruminate. At last he began TO be-
lieve there was a combination, and he con-
cluded to make the charge and have it pub
lished in Georgia, where it would attract
just sufficient attention to be copied and
reach the people of this State and create dis
trust among the Reformers "a this State
.gainst Shell aud Farley, and Talbert, too,
although in his last article he tries to skill
fully lie the Talbert part out This was the
scheme, and if young Jim Tiiimun had any
thing to do with j., he was the victim OF
Senator Irby, and now by "mixing error and
truth lrby is playing the part of delibera'e c
scoundrel by trying to throw the whole
blame" OH Capt. Tillman, and making him
Fthe soapegoat, thus committing still greater
eSime, that Of sacrificing the Governor S
Rphew to ehield himself from exposure
BIood is (and ought to be) thicker than
water" ami know that Governor Tillmsu
knows Irby, and has found out long ago that
the charge of cembination on tho part o.
Shell and myself, with Gen. Butler or any
one else, is totally untrue. Since it has beer
alluded to he and Mr.. George Tillman both
know that have done more towards healing
the breach between Them than any one
Ipdead I am Totally unlike Irby in this