Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1894-04-02
TILLMAN'S IRON HAND.
Bound to Crush Opposition to
Dispensary Laws.
SENT TROOPS INTO DARLINGTON.
south Carolina's Governor Seizes the Tele-
graph and Acts rs Press Censor Two
More Spies Found Dead In the Woods.
Twelve Companies of Militia still Loyal.


COLUMBIA, :. C., April 2-While there
have been incidents of a most interesting
nature in connection with the dispensary
troubles here. there has been practically
no excitement Crowds have lined the
streets-not for the purpose of demonstra-
tions. but to secure every item of news that
can be had in the matter.
Governor Tillman established a telegraph
censorship on Sunday, placing several
militiamen the most intelligent that
could be selected-in charge of both offices
to supervise all messages offered. These
gentlemen have simply carried out their
instructions and have refused only few
kilograms that were calculated to arouse
bad feeling.
Early in the day the governor summoned
the governors guards to the executive
mansion. Drawing them up in line, he adj
dressed them. saying that he was Informed
that their disbandment was not their fault,
but that they had been overawed by mob
ut their doors. He told them that they
stood before the people of the state as
disgrace. and that he now wished 20 give
them the opportunity to wipe the stain
from their brow and to restore them to
honor He asked for some indication as tC
whether they would obey his orders, in
which event their arms would be given
back to them.
Threw Down Their Bayonets.
As he made this assertion five of the
men threw down their bayonets and We're
quickly followed by several others. Their
captain begged them to desist and wait
until the governor had finished. Governor
Tillman, however, told them that their
action was satisfactory. for he only wished
to know. what their position was. He then
said to those who remained that they
could leave. but if they determined to
obey orders to report to the state peniten-
tiary. The remnant of the company march
ed TO their armOry, and in five minutes
thereafter they had disbanded.
During the day the governor notified Che
captains of the other companies that the
arms must be delivered TO the state within
two hours They replied that they did not
know where the arms were and that it was
impossible to comply with his orders, The
governor informed them peremptorily thaS
the guns must be produced.
On hearing this a numb of prominent
citizens. in the interest of peace and order,
advised the men TO give up the guns. On
their earne-t advice the young men soon
expressed their Willingness to do every
thing in their power to put their captains
in possession of the arms
When marching orders were given to
the troops stationed at the penitentiary.
Governor 1illman addressed them, saying:
As chief executive of South Carolina wish
to say few words 10 you before Your depar-
turc. thank you for the promptness and zeal
displayed by you in responding TO the call for
duty. Many of you have doubts as TO the jus
tice of the cause for which you so. You are re-
form Democrats and Ants but all South Caro-
lnians thank God. The reason of your going
Vli fs hx-Y a
and il is law long II stands on the statute
books and until it is repealed or declared un-
constitutional by the supreme court.
The newspapers have sown the seed of dis
cord by teaching you that there portions OF
the law which invade private rights. They
know that when they say that they lie. The
right 10 search private houses on a warrant is
old as the law itself. They know that they
not telling the truth when they try 10 make
you believe that these men in Darlington were
defending their liberties.
l said in my message 10 the legislature that a
large force of ConStableS would not be necessary
if the police of the towns would enforce the
law, but they would not do this. The dispen-
sary is not the issue now, but long as il is on
the statutes, so help me God. l intend TO enforce
it. 1t is not question of politics To be fought
out by ball and powder but by the ballot box.
80 much for the opinions that you are going To
uphold.
When the news came of the trouble at Oar
lington. GOd knows that was never more
shocked. When the officers of the law were
shot down. was Mortified. The sheriff tele-
graphed me that he was powcrlesS. My first
and natural impulse was 10 appeal to the mill
tary of Columbia. What did they do? They
surrendered ingluriously the honor of being in
the service Of their state; but. thank God there
are men left who will obey orders and nor be
swaycd from duty by adverse political opin-
ions. Two companies at Florence and Sumter
did likewise when the action at Columbia was
known.
Their Duty to shoot if Ordered.
We then see the spectacle of the adjutant
general running over the state trying TO get
men to do their duty. When ordered out, the
Fourth brigade OF Charleston that crack COM
mand all they did was to decker with me as to
what was their duty. Those towards in Charles
ton did like those in Columbia. Without II
company at my command began to cast about
To what could do TO uphold the dignity of
the law. Thank God, have found them in
you.
You going delicate and dangerous
Ei>sion. You must remember that the Oar
nngton people your fellow citizens. but
they are in instruction, and il is necessary for
You to 20 thereto uphold the law. | learn that
they destroyed a state dispcnsary. Nobody did
this hut the -barkeepers and their hirelings.
You go arm Of the law, and you must
treat the Darlington people with consideration,
hut If YOU are ordered to shoot you must do 50.
or anarchy will prevail in the state.
hope 10 restore you to your homes as early
rs possible. but the law must b upheld, or the
state govern ment will be the laughing stock OF
the world. This ought TO be proud day for
you. In after years you can hand down n
heritage to your children that you went TO
Darlington on Tillman's orders, and you are
proud of it.
Thirteen companies went Captain j.
II. Tillman went with the troops. He
said he had ordered his company, the
Capers light infantry, to Darlington and
he expected to meet them there % strong
There was a force of exactly 1872 men all
told. \ number of boxes of cartridges
were placed upon the train.
General Reichborg, who is in command,
would not say anything about his orders.
| The troops went away on special train
| over the Atlantic Coast Line road.
Immense crowds of people were at the
| crossings at which the soldiers boarded the
| train. Three companies were left in the
| city. Three hundred volunteer citizens,
armed with all manner of weapons, arriv-
/ ed shortly after the departure of the troops
and are ready to obey the orders of the
| governor More companies and more vol
unteers are to arrive. Nothing can be heard
here from Darlington, as the telegraph
company will not receive or send messages
| to or from the governor.
TiIIman as Press Censor.
In an interview at the executive mansion
| the governor spoke freely about the situa
ton. There was some indication OF nerV'
| business in his manner, but altogether b.
was as collected could be expected un
| der the circumstances The governor stat
| ed that in his opinion the worst of the dan
| ger was over. He said that ipasmuch a:
| Darlington and Florence were in state o
msurrection he felt it his duty to exer
| himself to the utmost to uphold the digni
| ty and preserve the peace of the state.
| At the time of the interview the 800 mill
tiamen had just left on a special train fol
Darlington. In view of the number o
companies which had refused to RESPOND
to his call he was greatly gratified at hav
ing finally placed the troops en- route t.
the scene of the tragedy.
| But will they shootf' was asked.
"Will they shootf'' exclaimed the gov
ernor, with emphasis. well, you ought