The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-01-31
TIlInan on the Campaign.
Tie Gooeraor. gises has eseaos on
State Politics.

State Pz;tics.
Governor Tillman has at last spoken
ont his views aud ideas about the com.
ing campaign Ind the matter Of holding
an early convention. and they make
interesting reading. For the past two
weeks the people of The entire State
have had their eyes turned towards
W.sb;ngtoa, on account Of the open let.
ters and other communiestions recently
sent ont from there By .Senstor ,lrey,
aud others, and on account Of the recent
conferences Of the Tillman leaders held
in that city Deep interest has been
taken in the subject and results OF
Governor Tillman's visit to Washing
ton, be having attended these confer
ences, and yesterday afternoon upon
Els Els return to the city be was approacE-
ed and asked for 40 interview ;on the
sabject. He talked quite freely.
..In the first place." said be. II de-
sire to state that my visit to Washing
ton had nothing to do with the prevail.
eut discussion on the subject Of con-
veosion. I had intended to 60 to that
city before the Legislature met, have
been Arranging my business with a
view to that visit. I desired, and took
essasien shik there, %, investigate the
delay ID rounding the interest and
peasisiesM sMahe .aisses tax, besaass |
felt that now. il ever, when our people
a6e1aSsssaat GaSsso dssiitate, they
shoald havo the benefits Of this pit
saDee in their distress.
.Another purpose of my visit was to
appear before the Judiciary committee of
the House in support Of legislation
hooking to relief from the usurpatiou of
the United States judges in the matter
Of receiverships, taxes on railroads, etc
I also had pleasant conference With the
commissioner Of internal revenue, Mr..
Miller, with view to explaining the
situation in the State amongthe small dis
tillers. and made an effort to enlist the
support of the commissioner in project
/ have for establishing bonded ware
house at Columbia where all of the
small distillers could store .heir liquor
after purebasessby lie S.atesso That we
csnld sga it before entering into con-
sumption and before paying the tax on
it. | directed the attention of the con-
missioner to this matter With the hope
Of having him given authority by Con-
gress to do this (for he does not possess
it now as I am informed), and he took
very kindly to the idea. especially when
T assured him that H We, could find
steady andqnicks sale for aliebe liquor
that is made in the State. it would
largely increase the revenues of the
national government.
'.But Governor. what about South
Carolina politics p
''Weli as the impression has gone
abroad from our enemies that l went
there solely with view to have con-
ference with Senator Irby and our mem
bers on this all-absorbing topic, / will
be very frank with you In the first
place. speaking for myself aud for all of
those who represent Us in Washington
and who participated in the conference,
We desire it to be distinctly understood
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 chat there has been q desperate
effort by onr enemies to SOW seeds of
discord among the leaders of the Reform
movement both here and in Washing
ton. Those of us, who were present in
the conference that was held, after a
full discussion Of existing conditions and
consideration of the question in all its
bearings, Arrived at the conclusion that
the agitation for an early convention
and the calling of one are unwise .
.'But, Governor, I thought it was un-
derstood that you favored conven-
ion 2"
.'No; there you are mistaken. 1
have given the matter serious thought
and have always doubted the propriety
aud wisdom of convention. There
are strong arguments 10 its favor look
ing from certain standpoint, but there
are stronger arguments as against it
when We consider the situation as a
whole. I dislike to discuss this ques-
ton 10 sry spirit other than from a
disinterested and impartial standpoint.
and my only excuse to the people for
obtrudipg my opinion upon them {aud
I will say here that it is the opinion,
after de]iberation among all of our
friends 10 Washington is that I. as the
acknowledged leader aud exponent of
the Reform movement, could With
more propriety assume to advise the
people than any other one man. 10