The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1894-02-02
TILLMAN REJECTS A coNvEHTIoN, EAR
LY OR LATE

turned in that direction Of late, by reason
Of tie dispatches and letters from Senator
Irby and others, which have been sent from
there .lsIo As oSsp interest felt in the
State rs to the object and result Of his visit.
The reporters swarmed around the Execu-
tive Mansion MS soon rs they learned that
Governor Tilman had reached the city, and
his Exceliency submitted to am interview
with as good grace as possible.
In the first place" said he, 81 desire to
state that my visit to Washington had noh-
ing to do with the prevalent discussion on
the subject of convention. l had intended
10 go TO that city before the Legislature met
and have been orrauging my business with
u view to that visit | desired, and took oc.
casion while there, to investigate the delay
in refunding the interest and penalties on
the indirect tax because | felt that now, if
ever, when our people along the coast are so
destitute, they should have the benefit of
this pittancs in their distress.
"Another purpose of my visit was to ap-
pear before the Judiciary Committee of the
House in support Of Legislation looking to
relief from the usurpatiou of the United
States Judges in the matter of recsivcrships,
taxes on railroads, etc. l also had n pleas
ant conference with the Commissioner of
internal Revenue, Mr.. Miller, with n view
TO explaining the situation in the State
among the small distilers, and l made au
effort to enlist the support of the Commits
sioner in roject have for establishing a
bonded warehouse at Columbia where all
of the small dist llers could store
their liquor after purchase by the State
80 that we could age il before entering into
consumption and before paying the tax on
it. directed the attention of the Commis
sioner to this matter with the hope of having
0;v nth hy 10 ln
(for he does not possess it now, as | am in
formed) and he took very kindly to the idea,
especially when | assured him that if we
could find steady aud quick sale for all the
liquor that is made in the State, it would
largely increase the revenue of the N::::o;.s!
govei ument.
"But, Governor, what about South Caro-
lima politics ~
"Wel, as the impression has gone abroad
from our enemies that | went there solely
with n view to have n conference with Sena-
tor lrby and our members on this all alb
sorbing tolic, will be very frank with
you. la the first place, speaking for my
selt and for all of those who represent us in
Washington AMI who participated in the
conference, we desire it to DO distinctly un
dorstood that we do not assume to do more
than give expression to our views and offer
advice to the people whom we represent as
to the best course to pursue. L found that
there has been desperate ctfort by our
enemies to SOW seeds of discord among the
leadc's of the Reform Movement both here
| and in Washington. Those of us who were
prescott in the conference that was held.
after full discussion of existing conditions
| and consideration of the question in al its
bearings, arrived at the conclusion that the
! agitation for an early convention rc;. the
| calling OF one are unwisc."
But, Governor, thought it was under
stood that you favored n convention p
mo- there you are mistaken. | have
given the matter serious thought and have
! always doubted tue propricty ami wisdom
of a convention. There are strong argu.
mcnts in its favor, looking from certain
sta Idpoint, but there arc stronger arguments
| against it when we consider the situation as
n whole. dislike to discuss tbs question
in any spirit other than from n dsinerested
and impartial standpoint, and my only cx-
cuse to the people for obtrudiug my opinion
upon them (and | will say here that it is
the opinion, after deliheration among nll our
friends in WashipgtOnl is that |, tho ac-
knowledgcd leader and exponent of the
Reform Movement, could with more pro-
prietory assume to advise the people than
any other one man. In the first place. it
must be remembered that the fundamental
principle underlying the Farmers Move
mcnt in South Carolina and the issue made
more prominent than any other in the cam
paign of 1890, Was the demand for a pr-
mary aud joint canvass by those who
sought the suffrage of the people. | con-
slider that that issue alone was paramount
in the minds of the people in the unnnim-
ty with wh oh they rallied to my support
| md thlt all others were of minor import
ance.
"Now this demand for II convention
among Reformers arises from a desire-an
honest one, am ready TO aimir-on the
part of many, IL prevent wrhngling in our
own ranks and to concentrate our forces in
support of some one candidate. But what
then becomes of the grand principle of n
free, far, open fight before the people and
discussion by the candidates if such con-
| ven,ion be held ? In 1890, after beng dc
! fc,'el in he campaigLs Of SO and ,SS by
reason uf our aisorgan Zci condition. the
Reform Democrats decided to meet in con
veation, in order 10 pit organization against
organic ,tion aud to force n discussion of the
issues because nearly all the newspapers
were against u. The ring at that time had
full possession of all the party machinery.
They were entrenched in the State House,
and it was felt necc ssary t. formulate q riai-
form and put forth exponents of the prnci-
plies declared in that platform to canvas the
State AMI to arouse The people to carry those
principles t. victory. The conditions are
entirely changed now. The Reformers are
in absolute possession Of the government
both in State and county, except in ha'e IL
dozen counties. We have the entire party
machinery in our pOsscssi IN and if we hold
Il convention without n ctmp1isn in which
| u the candi bates shall have hearing, we
Stultity ourselves, forcsiall the wi of the
people, assume TO dictate w!o shall he the
candidates for the offices and in truth, such
II convention wOul b.: III the light of f,cis
"A convention cf R"fJrmcrS against Reform
erS. The machine which we fought in 1880
is dead it TO longer exs's."
''Wc'l, Governor, what alb mt the argu-
| meut i'll favur Of II convention ?'
There is only one argument, and that is
this With, say half dozen men, promi
ncnt III the Reform Movement, and allied
with il, all running for the Office of Govern
or, it might be p ssiblc for opponents to give
their strength 10 some one Of til pse who
would be least objectionable and mad in