The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-17
TILLMAN IN TIGHTS.
Awkward Fix of the Governor N the GU
Observation-Disclosures is said in Wash
ington About Irby's Letter and the
Recent Conference OF the Anti
Gary Candidates aud
Their Friends.
rSoecial to News and Courier. I

WASHINGTON, January l5.-State
Senator John Gary Evans has been IN
Washington during the past TWO or
three DAYS, and it is understood that
he is Oh his way to Baltimore to be
treated for throat trouble. While in
this city be naturally mingled with
several of the South Carouna Con-
gressmen, and as a matter of course
State politics were discussed.
Without betraying confidence l am
justified in saying that all of the Rep
resentatives Of the Reform" Democ-
racv here do not endorse the senti.
rient or the spirit of Senator lrby's
recent letter to the State press on the
LauIeus Convention. Some of the
most ardent "Reformers" here depre-
cate the action of Senator Irby 10 this
instance and do not hesitate to say be
has acted unwisely. Some of the gen.
tlemeu with whom I conversed on this
subject stated that Capt. Shell, while
having announced his intention to
retire from politics, has been urged to
90 to the front and call meeting OF
the Gubernatorial Convention early in
March or April. 1t is said that con-
ference was recently held at Columbia
in which Capt. Shell, Mr.. Bowden and
others participated, when the question
of selecting candidate to succeed
Governor Tillman was considered.
It is further said that Governor Till
man was given to understand that he
must keep hands off, in the approach
ing contest over the Governorship if
he expects to receive the united sup
port Of the reform element in his strug-
gle with Senator Butler for the Senate.
What reply the governor made TO those
who approached him on this srbject
cannot be ascertained at this writing,
but it is understood that, having played
the role of dictator in the State for
several years, be was somewhat as
tonished at receiving orders from those
whom he supposed were his blind fol-
lowers.
1t appears that Senator Irby was not
fully advised of the position of Capt.
Shell and bis immediate friends until
after the above mentioned conference
was held, and some of his friends in
sinuate that Capt. Shell outgeneralled
the willy junior Senator.
Governor Tillman seems to be placed
in an awkward attitude by the conflict
ing interests of Senator 1tby and C.pt
Shell. The Governor has his eye fixed
anxiously upon Senator Buffers chair
in the Senate, and he probably realizes
that be will need the com bined strength
Of the Performers" and other eleueuts
in the Legislature to reach tile goal of
his ambition. He cannot afford to
quarrel with ieither Senator 1rby or
Capt. Shell, hence he IS probably rem
dered uncomfortable by the muZzle be
has been directed to put on while the
controversy over the Governorship is
pending.
Those "Reformers" who are now in
Washington hesitate to commit them
selves as to their choice for Governor at
this stage of the game. Some of them
are favorably inclined to Ellerbe, while
others consider John Gary Evans the
natural successor Of Governor Tillman
at Columbia. Their calculations are of
course based upon the theory that the
element now controlling the State will
continue in power.