The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-02
The Tracking Of @illman.

Luz CtNto so-Voy SA'So
nation about Governor Tillman's per-
formasces in Birmiaghan. As the
facts adduced may be somewhat shock
ing to those who, unlike ourselves
have had faith in ~Tillman's Democ-
racy. It will be we'll to reveal the
source of our information as a guaran-
tee Of its accuracy.
When Governor Tillman started tor
Birmingham We we're satisfied that be
had been having a telegraphic cores
pondence With Kolb and other Populist
leaders With q view to united action
against the Democratic party, and,
knowing bis indifference toward the
vetera1s Of the C%onfederacy. believed
that he was making the Birmingham
reunion a cover for secret conferences
with Kolb and Vaccinations against
the Democracy. So, soon after he left
Columbia We telegrsphed these beliefs
to the editor Of The Birmingham Neaes
aud asked him to keep track Of Till
mans movements, especially with ref
erence to Kolb aud his Populists, that
both the Mevs and THE State might
be able to expose the conjunction Of
the two leaders if it occurred.
The service vas carefully done, and
within two bours after Yillman's arri-
val in Birmingham. The State had a,
dispatch from the managing editor OF
the Meps, announcing that Tillman had
been met at the train by Kolb. That
night fuller particulars we're received,
and the information printed to-day
would have reached ne 10 time for yes
terday's issue, but for the lateness Of
the hour. at which the dispatch was
filed in Birmingham night before last.
We backed cur belief that Tillmau
was on a political still-hant with the
enemies of the Democratic party. and
that belief wa sigually vindicated.
The tracing of Tillman is a very SIM
pie thing, once you know how it's
done.
It is shown to-day that Tillman car
ried out the programme proposed for
him CD the evening Of his arrival 10
Birmingham. Night before last he vis-
tied 1.-The campaign headquarters Of the
Kolbite- Populite party" where be re-
ceived "a cordial Welcome. Capt.
Kolb, the man whose candidacy for
Governor against the Democratic party
is being backed by Senator Hoar with
the money Of Massachusetts Republi-
caus, vas present with his %lieutenauts,
and .seemed o~verjoyed" to have Till
man with them. 1.-The entire party"
it is said. "held a prolonged coofer-
ence''-all the results Of which are
unfortunately not yet known. That is
the trouble about Benedict Arnold
uegotiations-the details are not often
available until after the consummation
of the betrayal.
"a prominent PoPuliist,' however,
..who was present part Of the time"
says hat the political situation in Ala
bama, South Carolina and the Union
was thoroughly discussed. from a
Populist poiat Of view" Kolb invited
Tillman to "stump Alabama for him."
and Tillman, while not rejecting the
invitation, replied that Kolb wouldn't
need any outside help. as be would
sweep the State, e organized Democ-
racy (note this, y gained ~ being
doomed to defeat already" We are
sorry that the Populist Who furnished
this information was not present dur
ing the conference as to the new silver
party" but suppose that only those
Of the inner circle we're trusted
With the plans of that big plot. 1t is
known, however. that the views Of
Kolb and his lieutenents rs to this
party are identical With those Of
Tillman.' and they would doubtless
We are assured, be glad to follow him
10 such a movement. as they ''look
upon him as q great lesder and point
With pride to him as the champion of
the common peoples cause"
Tillman is said to have expressed
himself in favor of Kolb for Governor
Of Alabama-a wholly s%uperfuous ex-
preston, however, since bis preference
was SO PANTY shown by bis ''chum-
Mug" at Populist headquarters: The
Kolbites were .'happy" at Tillmao's
entrance into the Populist fraternity,
and Tillman himself seemed to be IN
a good humor." Why shouldn't he
have been? He had found his breth-
rem at last, aud his national notorl.
ety.; made him "a conspicuous hsure,"
people being ~''anxious to catch a
glimpse" of the hero of the whiskey
war. That was a $25, 900 ad.-but ad-
vertisiug as we have frequently re-
marked, always pays, the more espe-
cially when somebody else foots the
bill.