The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-03-07
TILLMAN IN iERVIEWED.
THE GOVERNOR GIVES HIS VIEWS ON
ThECOLLETON IDEA.

| THE GOVERNOR GIVES HIS VIEWS ON
ThEcoLLEToN
He Thinks Few Changes Would Do G Good
Wants a. Big Campaign Committee
Thip4s That the Conservatives Will
Fight for the Legislature.
COLUMBIA, S. c., March L. Some
Of them are pulling on the bit and some
of them oD the breeches," is the way
Governor TillDan regards the political
| situation in this State 80 far as the Re.
form faction of the Democrtic party Is
concerned.
Governor Tillman Gao alawys be. de.
pended on to sreak plainly on any politi-
cal matter. There is no policy about
him. 1.-The thought be would offend his
hest friends in opposing their wishes he
| would ex press bis convictions no matter
who it hurt. This is why the Governor
| is appealed to to give BIZ advice on po.
litical matters. His advice has been
asked many times recently as to what
course the Reformers should pursue in
the coming campaign. He has not given
any free expression on the later develop.
| ments until yesterday when Register
reporter sa1v him aud obtained his con-
sent to an extended interview.
The Governor answered freely and
without hesitation all the questions put
to him, and at the same time showed q
deep interest in affairs as they stand.
"Gevernor, you have seen the call Of
the Colleton Rsformers for mass meet
ing in that county on Monday, March s.,
for the election Of a delegate to State
convention, and an invitation to the
other counties to do likewise. What do
you think of it?"
The Governor answered, after some
consideration of the question: 81 feel
some reluctance in obtruding my views
on the publ, on matter which fully
discussed in an interview shortly after
my return from Washington. There is
evident among the people feeling Of
restlessness and an uncertainty arising
from all this talk and advocacy Of an
early convention. II the 'antis' were
making any active moves, I could under.
stand it, and see how it would be desir.
able or necessary to concentrate the Re.
form vote in support Of one leader, but
the advocates of a convention to nomi.
nate Reform candidate for Governor
appear to forget that such a nomination,
without previous discussion to allow the
people to judge of the fitness Of the vari-
GUS aspirsnts, is totally Inconsistent with
all our previous professions and practices
and must necessarily breed heartburn
ings among the candidates who may be
cut out and cause disgust among their
frienGs. The dangers which some men
profess to see, if there is free for all
race in the primary, do not appear to me
as great as those which will confront US
should the man who may get such noml-
nation not meet the expectations Of the
people when be begins to canvass"
s'You take it then, that the candidate
&: Governor will canvass, even though
he has no opponenent?"
"Why of course. Tae constitution Of
the Democratic party In this State re.
ouires candidates for the State offices to
make canvass, and should a conven-
ton put forward a man who did not give
satisfaction on the stump, some other
Reformer, or unobiectionable anti would
inevitably be brcu sht out and might beat
the convention nominee. We had bet
ter be consistent in our practices and ad.
here to our principles and run the one
danger rather than stultlfy ourselves and
at the same time run the other risk"
s'What, then, do you consider the
best course to be pursued by the Refor-
mers?" was the straight question which
was asked next.
1.-The Colleton people have hit on a
scheme to allay the unrest, which is, per-
haps, as good as any, with two additions
or changes. They were in too big a
hurry, and instead Of calling conven-
ton of one from each county, the mass
meetings of Reformers in the different
counties should simply meet and elect
one of their best men, with no axe to
grind, to form State campaign commit
tee. II takes at least three weeks for
any movement among the people to get
under way, 30 as to carry the whole mass.
Oae half the Rsformers in Colleton do
not yet know that mass meeting Is
called for that county next Monday, and
not knowing it, they would resent any
radical action such as instructlng their
delegate of one to the State convention
to call a nominating convention later. II
tits the desire Of the masses Of the Re-
formers to move In this matter, the pro-
cess is easy and simple, but it must not
be too hurried. There is no need oihurrY
anyway, and any movement which does
not come from the people themselves
will create great diss stistaction and must
defeat"
"How, then, shall the thing be brought
about?"
well, IN my judgment the only way
| in which it can be- brought about is for
| fifteen or twenty leading meu 10 each
county to unite IN call similar to that
of the Colleton leaders for mass meet
| ing of Reformers at their respective
| court houses, salesday in April, to elect
a member Of a State Reform campaign
committee. This can be done next Mon
day in every county, and I hope it will
be done. There are many reasons why
We should have such a committee of
which l will tell youpresently. A month
being given during which the people can
discuss the question of convention Or no
convention, The mass meeting in April,
when they elect their representatives on
the State campaign committee, can at
the same tlms decide for or against
convention and instruct as to their
wishes. If any shorter time is given
the committee would not represent tru j
the wishes of the people,
"Well, Governor, tell me what this
committee would have to Coz" was
asked.
':The first thing" be answered,
"would be to get at rest this question OF
O Rotorn nominatjnp convention and