The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-04-06
FALSE CLAIMS.

Discussing the troubles in South Caro-
lima. representative Talbert, Of that State,
who is Tillmanite, said a day or so
back:
"Governor Tlllman is not a Populist.
81 know" he continued, that there
seems to be a general impression that
he belongs to the Populists, but such is
not the case. He is Democrat. In
South Carolina there are two factions OF
the Democratic party, known as the
conservative and the reform factions
Governor Tillman is the leader of the
Reformers. There was a popular upris-
ing in South Carolina i'm 1880 of the
common people against the so-called
bourbon or aristocratic regime. but the
latter although largely outvoted in the
point Of numbers, still desires to retain
control. There Is no organized Populist
party in South Carolina. Til.man stands,
to be sure. upon the Ocala platform, but
that is the work of the Alliance. The
POpulist platform, which contains many
departures from that framed at Ocala,
was adopted at omaha. When Cleveland
was nominated all the Alliance men sup
ported him as Democrats, and when we
have our primaries, II we are outvoted
by the other wing Of the Democracy, we
80 in and support their candidates. just
as they support ours If they are in the
minority. 1t is all Democracy and no
Populism with us"
We should like to know what. i'm Mr..
Talberts opinion, constitutes Popu-
list. Tillman stands, as Mr. Talbert adj
mits, upon the Ocala platform, and that
declares unequvocally for fiat money,
which is the breath in the body of the
Populst party. Take that out Of the
party and there is no party let. If, there
fore, Tilman is not a Populist he is
nothing.
We have frequently seen Mr.. Talbert's
claim put forward. that Tillman is the
leader of a reform party in South Caro-
lima that has for its object the over
throw Of a rule OF aristocrats that have
long dominated the common people. But.
in the face Of South Carolinian's state
ment. we take the liberty of saying that
no more preposterous and absurd claim
was ever put forward. We take
the liberty Of saying that when
Tillman and his party came into
control of South Carolina there was not
law upon her statute book which ac-
knowledged any order Of any sort what
ever as AN aristocratic order. or which
acknowledged any other order as an order
OF the common people. Any supposed rule
in South Carolina by an aristocracy was
an Imaginary ono only Tor ,ho L..
made all public office as open TO the
most obscure citizen as to the wealthiest
planter or merchant. Now let a pin be-
stuck right at that point. and it will al
once be seen that claim that South
Carolina was ruled by any other aris-
tocracy than that of merit in the indyid-
uai Is as ridiculous as for Il man to
claim that he has invented perpetual mo-
ton.
South Carolina was indeed ruled by
men who could impress upon the voters
Of the State the belief that they were
better qualified than others for the places
they sought. and State which is ruled
by this sort OF an. aristocracy (aristos-
kratos. the rule Of the besD. is fortu-
nate indeed.
No. as Mr.. Floyd. Tilman's dispensarv
agent at Darlington. has said there
is bitter feeling and antipathy between
town and country In South Caro-
lima. and Tillman has played upon
this until he has divided South Caro-