The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-04-03
TILLMAN'S SHARP TONGUE.
He Laslles the "Bandbox" Soldiers That
Have Turned Politicians.

Have Turned Politicians.
COLUMBIA, 8. c., April 3.-Gov. Till
man addressed the militia here to make
explanation of his position and the
duty of the soldiery. Said the governor:
'sThe dispensary law is on the statute
book; l as chief executive, have sworn
that the laws of this state shall be re-
spected and go help me God, l will exc
cute the powers of my office to see that
the law is obeyed."
The governor was severe in his con-
demnation of the militia companies that
have refused to obey orders.
"Over at Darlington he said, "these
band box soldiers, these soldiers turned
politicians, pranced all over the country
and sent for reinforcements to bar rooms
and whiskey men, but they have never
tired a shot alta single constable and they
did not want to find them. " hydid not they
lynch the men they claimed made trOu-
BILE? They have slandered themselves
saying they would lynch those who did
not cause the trouble, and then would
not lynch the man who they say did
cause it,
THE body polite is in a fever because
the people OF Charleston and Columbia
have taken vipers to their bosom III tho
shape Of newspapers which distil poison.
They try to sting me personally by abuse,
but / wear coat of mail they can never
pierce and an honest heart looking to the
welfare Of the whole state"
The governor did not fear civil war.
sit will not come and cannot come" he
said, .sbecause the people are in the sad
die and intend to remain there. One
man told Mr.. Yeildell here that he came
from Edgefeld, my own county with
shotgun to kill me Friday night | will
not mention his name Threatened men
live long and have never felt uneasy.
MY life is not worth much to me, but
it is worth as much as that of any man to
him, but rather than desert my post
where you have placed me, | would have
stuck there until | had to go out as
corpse. The men that are threatening to
fire this powder magazine are the bar
room element and those who are urging
them. are the rulers of the old oligarchy.
'sThis riot is political frenzy. [ shall
not bulge an inch from the stand that l
have taken as the peoples governor.
lou may imagine from this that L am
going to aggravate the trouble, but am
simply going to uphold the law. could
not have done what have unless | con-
trolled the railroads and telegraph lines.
THE revised statutes of the state give
me still another sword of Damocles and
tomorrow shall cut the thread and use
it. Section 519 gives the governor
power to take control of all the police in
the cities. The mayors and city cOun-
elf have refused to make the police do
their duty. l intend to see they do, or l
will discharge every one of them.
ssFrom this city the constables shall
watch the policemen and report to me
whether they are doing their duty and
if they do not obey my orders and II the
authorities do not cooperate with me,
shall call the legislature together and
we will have the power given the execu-
tive to remove these men and appoint
others who will obey the law"
At this point Mr.. Early, cousin of Mr..
Norment, who was killed by state con-
stables, yelled out: why don't you
obey the law yourself?"
This created a big commotion in
the crowd. One of the governor's
sympathizers yelled out "Shoot him.
and both factions rushed up The gov
ernor called for silence and Chief of
Police Radcliff jumped off his horse and
grabbed Early, commanding order, and
took him away.
The governor continuing, said that
those who were opposing him must sub
nit. adding: 81 have thousands of good
men who are ready to respond. and
those who are in rebellion and
resistance must get out of the
way for the engine is on the
track. I have got the throttle and am
going in on time, so help me God
As the governor finished his speech,
there were deafen;ng cheers from
his troops An order was then
read to the troops commanding
them to return to their homes and ex-
tending thanks to the gallant and
patriotic soldiers and citizens who at a
moments notice dropped their various
vocations and pursuits to respond TO his
call.
The British fleet on the North Pacific
station Is small. comprising but six ves-
sells. and therefore could scarcely furnish
4 proper force for the Behring sea
n = De- g..