The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-31
FAyORS A BIG PRIMARY.
Governor Tlllman on the Political situa-
tion-An Interview in Which He Says
to Let all the Gubernatorial Candi-
dates 60 Before the People.
THE Register, 225th.l

CITY yeSleIOdy 1lOui w oShihS toii obN,
in view of the fact that all eyes in the
State have been turned IN that dlrec-
ton of late by reason of the dispatches
and letters from Senator 1rby and
Others, which have been sent from
there, there is deep interest felt in the
State as to the object and result of bis
visit.
The reporters swarmed around the
Executive Mansion as soon as they
learned that Governor Tillman had
reached the city, and his Excellency
submitted to an interview with as good
grace as possible.
I'm the first place." said be, 81 desire
to state that my visit to Washington
had nothing to do with the prevalent
discussion on the subject Of a conven-
ton. I had intended 70 go to that city
before the Legislature met and have
been arranging my business with a view
to that visit. | desire, and took occa
sion while there, to investigate the de-
lay in refunding the interest and penal
ii, S on the direct tax because / felt that
now, if ever, when our people along
the coast are SO destitute, they should
have the benefit Of this pitt2nce in
their distress.
"Anotter purpose of my visit was to
appear before the Judiciary Committee
of the House in support Of legislation
looking to relief from the usurpation Of
the Uni ed States Judges in the matter
OF receiverships, taxes on railroads, &c.
I also had a pleasant conference with
the Commissioner Of Internal Revenue.
Mr.. Miller, with a view to explaining
the situation in the State among the
small distillers aud I made an effort to
enlist the support ofthe Commissioner
in a project l have for establishing a
bonded warehouse at Columbia where
all of the small distillers could store
their liquor after purchase by the State
80 that we could age it before entering
into consumption and before paying
the tax on it. directed the attention
OF the Commissioner to this matter
with the hope of having him given
authority by Congress to do this, (for
be does not possess it now as I am in
formed) and he took very kindly to the
idea, especially when l assured him
that if we could find steady and quick
sale for all the liquor that is made in
the State, it would largely increase the
revenue Of the National governm Mt" I"
but, Governor, what about South
Carolina politics?
"Well, as the impression has gone
abroad from our enemies that l went
there solely with a view to have con-
ference with Senator Irby and our me M
bers on this all absorbing topic, [ will
be very frank with you. In the first
place, speaking for myself and for all Of
those who represent us in Washington
and who participated in the conference,
We desire it to be distinctly understood
that we do not assume to do more than
give expression to our views and offer
advice to the people whom we represent
as to the best course to pursue. | found
that there has been desperate effort by
our enemies to SOW seeds of discord
among the leaders of the Reform Move
ment both here and in Washington.
Those Of US who were present in the
conference that was held, after a full
discussion of existing conditions and
consideration Of the question in all its
bearings, arrived at the conclusion that
the agitation for an early convention
and the calling of one are unwise."
"But, Governor, I thought it was
understood that you favored a conven-
tion?"
Nc; there you are mistaken. have
given the matter serious thought aud
have always doubted the propriety and
wisdom OF a convention. There are
strong arguments in its favor looking
froEn certain standpoint, but there are
stronger arguments against it when we
consider the situation as a whole. l dis
like to discuss this question in any
spirit other than from disinterested
and impartial standpoint, and my only
excuse to the people for obtrudiug my
opinion upon them (and will say here
that it is the opinion, after deliberation
among all of our friends in Washing
ton) is that I, as the acknowledged
leader and exponent Of the Reform
Movement, could with more propriety
assume to advise the people than any
other one man. In the first place, 1t
must be remembered that the funda-
mental principle underlying the Far
mers' Movement in South Carolina
ard the issue mad more prominent
than any other in the campaign Of 1890,
was the demand for primary election
st which each and every voter would
have the opportunity Of voicing bis
own wishes as to those who should be
put in office; and we went 80 far in that
direction as to incorporate in the March
platform the demand for such primary
and a joint canvass by tho'e who
sought the sufPrages of the people. l
consider that that issue alone was para
mount in the minds of the people in
the unanimity with which they rallied
to my support and that all others were
of minor importance.
Now this demand for convention
among Reformers arises from a desire
an honest one, I am ready to admit
on the part of many, toprevent Wrang-
ling in our own ranks ard to concen-
trate our forces in support of some one
candidate. But what then becomes Of
the grand principles ofa free, fair, open
fight before the people and discussion
by the candidates ifsuch convention be
held? In 1890, after being defeated in
the campaigns of 'S6 and 'SS by reasons
of our dlsorganized condition, the Re-
form Democrats decided to meet in con-
vention, in order to pit organization
against organization and to force dis
cu.sion Of the issues because nearly all
the newspapers were against US. The
ring at that time had full possession Of
all the party machinery. They were
entrenched in the State House, and it
was felt necessary to formulate a plat
form and put forth exponents of the
declared in that platform to
canvass the State and to arouse the
people to carry those principles to vic
tory. The conditions are entirely
changed now. The Reformers are in
absolute possession of the government,
both in State and county, except in
half a dozen counties. We have the
entire party machinery in our posses
sion and if we hold convention with
out a campaign in which all the candi-
dates shall have hearing, We stultify
ourselves, torestall the will of the peo-
pie, assume to dictate who shall be the
for the Offices and, in truth,
such convention would he in the
light of facts convention Of Reformers
against Reformers. The machine which
we fought in 1890 is dead, it no longer