The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-02-07
Reform Bosses In Counsel.

WASHINGTON, January 2.-Governor
Tillman arrived here this morning, and
instead of becoming the guest Of Senator
Irby he was met at the depot by Repre-
tentative Latimer, and is now the latter's
guest. Last night Senator Irby said he
knew that Governor Tillnan would no.
tify him by telegraph of his expected
coming. and upon his arrival here would
become his (the Senator's) guest at the
National Hotel. At the same time Rep
resentative McLaurin had made arrange
ments to entertain the Governor at his
residence in West Washington. Without
announcing his coming to either Senator
Irby or Mr.. McLaurin, the Governor
telegraphed Representative Latimer the
time Of his expecJed arrival, and the lat
ter was at the station to greet him and
take him,to his homo in East Washington
for breakfast.
Before the Governor went to the Capitol
he talked over the situation with Repre-
sentative Lstimer, and in that way got
the lay of the land before encountering
the other South Carolina "Reformers" at
the Capitol.
In accepting Congressman Latimer's
hospitality in preference to that of either
Senator Irby or Representative McLau-
rim he played foxy. He has absolute
confidence in the discretion of Mr.. Lati-
mer, and besides the latter occupies
somewhat neutral attitude in the Irby-
Shelf controversy. He is friendly to both
parties and refuses to be drawn into the
personal contention between these two
| gentlemen. AS further mark of conf
dence the Governor entrusted his bill in
relation to receivers for railroads to Mr..
Latimer, and the latter will present it to
| Congress.
Upon reaching the Capitol the Govern
or was given hearty reception by some
of the Democratic members in the House
| of Representatives in addition to the
members of the South Carolina delega-
ton After spending some time in the
House, the Governor, with Representa-
tives Latimer, Talbert and Strait, pro-
ceeded to Senator Irby's committee
room, in the basement of the Senate
wing. There an in formal conference was
held.
No definite result was reached, but it is
understood the Governor played safely
from afar back. He was not disposed to
take sides in the controversy between
Senator Irby and Capt. Shell, but did all
he could to pour as much oil on the trou-
bled waters as he could without violating
his dispensary law. 1t is understood
that he considers it unwise, in view OF
the existing circumstances, for either
Senator Irby or Capt. Shell to issue the
call for the Convention. He reiterated bis
we'll known views on the subject of the
primary system, and suggested that the
people of the "Reform" Movement be al
lowed to deal with the matter in their
own way. If an early Convention is de-
sirable the people in the Reform
Movement can make that fact known. II
they want later Convention, when IL
will be more convenient for the farmers
to attend such Convention, their wishes
should be paramount.
Without reaching any conclusion there
seemed to be a disposition to leave the
calling of the Convention to the 'execu.
tive com mittee of the original Alliance
or reform" party. 1t may be that 8
conference of the representative Reform
ers" in the various counties will be call
ed to decide the question Of selecting the
time for holding the Convention.
1t is said that Senator Irby fears that an
effort may be made to turn the State or.
ganization over 10 the Third Party men,
who, he claims, are Insignificant in num-
bers. He insists that the Democra
Reform element in the State shall retain
the control Of the organization, and he
does not propose to relinquish his right
as chairman of the State Democracy to
exercise the authority that properly be.
longs to his position.
There was general interchange oi
views, and the consensus of opinion was
that it might hurt the cause of Reform"
assemble in Washington and proceed to
map out plan for absent members OF
the Reform party at home.-SpeciaI to
| Mems and Courier