The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1894-02-01

A Dying Confession from Shell-Ac C.
cusss Shell tt Dsvi ating from the Paths
ofTruth and Elahteousness.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 10, 1894
I feel called upon, in view OF all that
Is being said against ny frined, who IS
loyal and true to the people at home
and in Washington, to have few words
to say myself.
am q member of the State execu
tive committee and represented the
county of AbbeVille as Tillman's cam
paisn organizer IN 1892. l feel as deep
an interest in the welfare aud success
of The movement OF 1890 as any man IN
South Carolina, and, while my friend IS
being traduced and imposed upon by
the Register, the Reform organ, l teeI
it nv duty to let the people ofthe State
know how some 0 her folks are acting
when they are away from home.
1t has been an open secret ever since
came to Washington, that Capt. Sael!
was acting in concert with oul political
enemies here. There is not true Re-
former in Congress, or in Washington,
who has not seen it, and who does not
realize and recognize it. He has played
Congressman Latimer and myself false
| in a matter that shows his duplicity
and want OF that trait that is necessary
to make an honorable and reliable man.
He promised my frleods in the spring
of last year to endorse me for the office
of satlstlcian OF South Carolina. WITH the
further declaration to them that Mr.
Morton, Secretary OF Agriculture. had
gwen him the refusal Of this place. l
went to work and got up a petition,
which WAS signed by ell the Democratic
Congressmen who had a chance to sign
it. While was expecting the appoint
ment, saw through the columns OF the
papers, the appointment OF Col. Wash
Watts, an inveterate and implacable
hater of the movement, who had de-
nounced US as a vile horde and who had
refused IN 1890 to sign testimonial o'
character for Mr.. Shell. This, Congress
man Latimer and I did not understand,
and when Congressman Latlmer ap
preached Shell be denied having endorsed
Watts; and afterwards, when be was
knocked down BY a cable car and taker
10 the Metropolitan Hotel, he called NJ
Latimer to bis bedside and made dy
lng confession. AS 10 whether he be-
lieyed be was going to die, some peop.t
have their doubts. In said dying coz,
tession he told Mr.. Latlmer that be hat
never endorsed Col. Watts for this posi-
ton. Afterwards, in order to verify
this statement, which was generally
doubted, Mr.. Latimer and went 70 ia'
Agricultural Department and found
letter from Capt. Shell endorsing Col
Watts for this place, and saying, among
other things in the letter, that he would
be endorsed by Gen. Hampton and othel
prominent Conservative citizens OF South
Carolina.
Now, Mr.. Editor, if this IS the kind
OF a man that is to be selected by Mr.
Bowden TO lead the Reform forces il
South Carolina, may God save tht
movement. I have never been preml
nent, other than in the manner stated
above, but wish it distinctly under
stood by all parties that this kind Of
man cannot lead mo. I want to be lee
by men VINO have never !altered anc
can be relied upon in daylight or dark
I suggest humblY that the leaGiag true
Reformers of each county be called to
gether and inaugurate the campaign il
order that justice may be done to al
parties. If this is not done, trouble i
bound to come, and the abuse aud de
struction Of our leading men by tn:
Register will not tend to save this move
ment. I say, give US an open and fal
field, and, if BoWdsn's and Shell's sor
can control this convention, then th
movement is too weak to have stoo
anyhow; but I % not believe that th
Reform Democrats of the State are read
for any such leadership.
Very res pectfully,
J. Y, JONES.