The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-09-26
GOV. TILLMAN'S POSITION.
He is Dem ocrat and VIII Vote With His
Party:

Party:
COLUMBIA, S. c., Sept. 19.-In an in.
| terYiew with reporter of the Allan ia
Constitution recently Governor Till
man said:
"The origin of the accusation that
Tillmanism in South Carolina is not
Democracy was the adoption two
years ago as a part OF the State plat
form of the Ocala platform. That
came about in this way. At the May
convention to send delegates to Chica-
go there was strong third party ele-
ment composed of the more radical
Alliance men. These men were clam
orous for radical resolutions and there
was talk of instructions to the dele.
gates to Chicago to withdraw In case
of the nomination Of Cleveland. To
pacify them and prevent a division of
the Democratic party, the Alliance
demands were incorporated. I was
member of that convention and made
speech after the resolutions had
passed, showing the absurdity and fol-
ly of our deserting the Democratic
party and urging unity. We went to
Chicago and did our utmost to pre-
vent Cleveland's nomination. We were
defeated, but like good Dem ocrats, re-
turned home and carried the State by a
larger majority In proportion to popu-
lation than any other Southern State.
Only 1000 Weaver votes we're polled in
the State. AZ reward some of our
Reform Congressman have been black
listed and refused recognition by the
President.
"What is the claim made against you
about you leaving the Democratic par.
ty when you see gleam of light In
the West ?" asked the Governor.
During the recent canvass between
Butler and myself the only practical
difference between US was on the ques-
ton by whom paper money should be
issued. I advocated the issue of legal
tender greenback direct to the people
and the abolishment Of national banks,
while he favored the repeal Of the State
bank tax and the issue of paper money
In that way. We both announced the
belief that the South and West would
have to get together before We secured
any relief. But I went further than
he did, and proclaimed that was then
and there ready, and l stand by 1t now,
not to submit to or follow the dicta-
ton of Cleveland and his school of So
called Democrats. I announced the
purpose to ally myself with the Yves
tern people, possibly under a nam
other than Democrats, in struggle for
free silver and financial relief when.
eyer I saw a hope of such coalition
capturing the government. said then
and say now, that If Mr.. Cleveland
is Democrat am not one"
"Upon what grounds do you hold Mr..
Cleveland is not a Democrat ?"
"The appointment of Republican to
the highest position in Ms cabinet, his
joining forces with John Sherman and
the Republicans against a majority OF
his party in the demonstration of sill
yer; his veto of the seigniorage bill in
face Of the Chicago platform, and his
debauching the House of Representa-
tives and the Senate by the use of pat
ronage in carrying out his anti-sllver
policy. These are my reasons for
charging him with being more of
Republican than a Democrat"
"What effect upon the Reform move
ment in South Carolina will the at.
tempt of the Conservatives to reorgan-
lie the Democratic party in the State
have?"
"There is so much insolence and idi-
ocy and blind rage com bined in the
pretepse of reorganization that I can
not think it will have any consid erable
following. The Democratic party now
organized will go on doing business at
the old stand, with at least thr ee-
fourths Of the white people Of the
State enlisted under its banner. The
pretense that we are not Democrats
because we do not bow to Cleveland
is too shallow and transparent to de.
ceiVe many. The leaders In this new
crusade for strsightout Democracy are
more greedy after office-the crumbs
from Cleveland's table-than they are
for principle. They are sick nigh unto
death with the long fast since they
were turned out Of power in the State
in $780,"
"What chance have they of controll-
ing the Legislature?"
"None whatever, from the present
signs of the times. I expect to go to
the Senate if I live"
"Will you affiliate with the Demo
crats?"
''Of course T will, with the decent,
honest ones, who stand by the party
platform as interpreted by sensible,
honest men, and not by knaves and
charlatans; but L expect to vote with
absolute independence, always looking
to the best interests Of the masses Of
the people"