The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-02-07
Another Open Letter.

Another Open Letter.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. I6.-The
following reply has been made by Sena-
tor Irby to a Communication received by
him to-day from Hon. w. T. G. Bates,
State treasurer of South Carolina:
"UNITED STATES SENATE,
sWAsHINGToN, D. c., Jan. 10th, '94.
"Hon. w. r.. G. Bates, Columbia, S. G.:
sMy Dear Sir-I have your letter of
the l4th inst, in which you make in
uuiries as to what think could be done
in reference to holding factional con-
vention of the reform party Of South
Carolina, to which answer hastily but
frankly.
81 regret as deeply as you to see divis-
ion in the reform movement OF our State.
The purposes for which it began have
not been accomplished. and can not be,
without the exercise of harmony, justice,
had but one purpose from the very
beginning and that was to do my duty
bv it to the very best Of my ability.
Notwithstanding this, I have been perse-
cuted by men supposed TO be prominent
in the reform movement, from the very
beginning, until T made up my mind
that would not submit to it any longer
and appealed to true men among us to
protect me against such political assassi-
nation. It is not my fault that we have
these evidences of division in our State.
I furnished no excuse for every reformer
who goes into Columbia from the rural
districts, to the State House, to be taken
to one side and groomed and preiudiced
against "Irby's management Of the
party" when even the anti's themselves
Acknowledge that my conduct as chair
me-, l.,% Deen perfectly fair.
Il am unwilling that Third Party
leader take charge of the reform move
ment in South Carolina and thus dictate
the nominees of the Democratic party.
am satisfied that the people of the State
will not submit to it, and the sooner he
and others, who expect to reap office
| under him, find this out the better fol
him and the movement.
II answer you frankly as to what
think ought to be done so far as l car
see. There are six or seven other can
| didates for gubernatorial honors. These
| men have been true and loyal and are al
able men. They are entitled, at least, tc
a fair contest and the protection of the
principles Of tho first March Convention
tho most prominent Of which was the
right Of the people to name their candi.
date instead of ring in the State House
1t will be necessary, before the campaign
that is to be ordered by me, as Demo
cratic chairman, that these contests shal
and that after the people have had time
to weigh and measure them and conclude
as to their choice, the successful ont
shall be given the colors of our faction K
meet the Conservative faction on the
stump before the general primary cleo
| ton. This can not be done with an early
convention held and snap judgment taker
before the people have seen or heard tht
| various candidates who seek the endorse
ment of the reform party. 1t savors tot
much of the old ring rule and Hask llit'
method and our people will not counte
nance it. This is perfectly fair and al
parties will be satisfied; but the people
who believe in the theory and system o
primary elections will not stand for two
or three men, one leader of the thirc
and the self constituted spokesmen of tht
reform party, the other traitor to tht
reform party who seeks, as an emissary
from the enemy to ruin the reform party
and other men who-desire office, to fl
up a slate now, have it endorsed by {
| convention as early as March anC
rammed down their throats. I say thi!
because, if their scheme is allowed to &C
through under the whip and spur Of The
ring the movement can not stand. Self
res pecting men would rather 60 to tht
wall than to serve under traitor to hi!
| movement and to see themselves assassi
| claim ed to be their friends and the peo
pie robbed of the benefits of the vita
| principles Of the first March platform.
"This has been written to you just as
| think it and believe it. have tried to bt
true to every man in the State House
and subjected myself to abuse and criti
ciSm in 1892 for leaving my seat in tht
Senate to 60 to South Carolina to work
| for them and their reelection. I do mo-
| intend now to be abused by them.
AS you suggest I, being the State clair
man, have no right to call factiona
convention. I have never assumed Of
contemplated any such action nor coulC
such conclusion be drawn from any
thing that have said or written. Tht
organization, last presided over by tht
Hon. G. w. Shell, is defunct because
when the crisis came in '92 we failed t,
have seen or heard of any action from
him in behalf Of the reform movemen
and besides, its purpose was fulfilled as {
political organization as soon as its objec
| was accomplished, the control OF INT
whole State government by the people
1t being temporary organization, coult
not exist longer than the Inauguration o
the State officers. He, therefore, can no
call and convene caucus or convention
and the only way for it to be done regu
larly within our party lines is, as sug
gested by the Laurens Alliance. Reques
Governor Tillman to call around him tn,
leaders, draft rules and call a convention
if they see fit.
',n cnnclusion, allow me to say that
will DO more and go further to heal The
breach and unite our forces than perhaps
any man who has been treated as harshly
in the house of my friends, but will no
submit to the dictates Of Third Party
leaders and traitors to our movement
let the consequences to be what they
may. !"Very respectfully,
| T. M Tpnv -