The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-04-05
DON QUIXOTE TILLMAN.
HE HARANGUES HIS SOLDIERS IN
CHARACTERISTIC STYLE.
Condemns the Militiamen Who Refused
to Obey His Call, and Defes His
Enemies Generally-Will Take
Charge of City Police Forces.

Tillman addressed the militia today in
explanation of his position and the
duty OF the soldiery. Said the gov
ernor: "The dispensary law is on the
statute books l, as chief executive,
have sworn that the laws of this state
shall be respected, and, SO help me
God, will exert all the powers of my
office to see that the law is obeyed."
The governor was severe in his con-
demnation of the militia companies
who have refused to obey orders.
"Over at Darlington, he said. "these
bandbox soldiers, these soldiers learned
politicians pounced all over the coun-
try and sent for reinforcements to
barrooms and whisky men, but they
have never fired shot at single
constable and they did not want to
find them. Why didn't they lynch
the man they claimed made the
trouble2 The body polite is in afever
because the people of Charleston and
Columbia have taken vipers in their
bosoms in the shape OF newspapers,
which daily distill poison. They try
to sting me personally by abuse and
slander but | wear coat of mail that
they cannot enter.s
The governor did not fear civil war.
''It wont come and cannot come," he
said, "because the people are in the
saddle and intend to remain there.
One man told Mr.. Yelldell here that
he came from Edgefield, my own coun-
try, with a gun to kill me Friday
night. won't mention his name.
Threatened men live long,
and | have never felt uneasy.
NV life is not worth much to
zoe but it is worth as
much as any mans to him, but rather
than desert the post in which you
placed me ! would have stuck there
until had to go out as corpse. The
men threatening to fire the powder
magazine are the barroom element,
and those who are urging them on are
the rulers of the oligarchy. This riot
is political frenzy. shall not bulge
an inch from the stand [ have taken
as the peoples governor. You may
imagine from this l am aggravating
trouble, but l am simply upholdins
the law. could not have done what
| have done unless | controlled the
railroad and telegraph. The statutes
still give Inc another sword Of
Damocles, and tomorrow l shall cut
the thread and use it.
Section $40 gives the governor power
to take control of all the police in the
CITY, Tne mayors anu the clUy coun-
ellis have refused to make the police
do their duty intend to see that
they do, or will discharge every one
of them. From this day the cousta.
bles shall watch the policemen and
report TO me whether they are doing
their duty, and if they do hot obey my
orders, and if the authorities do not
cooperate with Inc | shall call the
legislature together and we will have
the power given me to remove the men
and appoint men who will obey the
law"
At this point, Mr.. Early, a cousin Of
Mr.. Norment who was killed by state
constables, yelled out: why don't
YOU obey the law yourself
This created big commotion in the
crowd. One of the governor s
sympathizers yelled out, "shoot him" "
and both factions rushed up. The
governor called for silence, and Chief
of Police Radcliffe jumped off his horse
and grabbed Early, commanding order.
and took him away.
The governor, continuing, said
those opposing him must submit, add
inc: Il have thousands of good men
WHO are ready to respond and those
who are in rebellion and resistance
must get out of the way, for the en-
CINE is on the track. l have got the
throttle and | am going in on time, so
help Inc God
As the governor finished his speech
there were defying cheers from his
troops. An order was given to troops
commanding them to return to their
homes and extending them thanks to
the gallent and patriotic soldiers and
citizens who, at moment notice,
dropped their various avocations and
pursuits to respond to his call. "
TAKES CHARGE OF POLICE.
COLUMBIA, S. c., April 3.-Gov-
ernor rillman has issued prOClama-
tion giving official notice to the num-
nicipaI authorities of every city and
incorporated town in the state and
to the police marshal that under the
powers given him by the statutes, he
assumes sole control Of the whole force
of municipal police and marshals Of
the several cities and incorporated
towns of the state. They are
ordered to enforce all laws on the
statute books. together with all mu-
nicipal ordinances and orders from
municipal authorities not inconsistent
with the purpose of this proclama-
ton. AS soon as the emergency shall
no longer exist the governor will re-
linquish control and restore the
former status.
CONSTABLE ARRESTED.
COLUMBUS, s. c., April 3.-Gover-
nor Tillman has received thefollowing
telegram from Clerk of Court w. II.
Ingram at Sumter: 81. H. Dargen
met the north bound train today, ar
rested Constable Cain on his way to
Columbia in custody of Mcknight.
deputy sheriff. The citizens generally
are responsible for the arrest. The
sheriff is keeping the parties at their
own request, No danger threatening
AL.o ooy Of hlaa and M q oooa aion for ar