The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-01-02
MR.. BARNwELL.s INTERVIEW.
The Columbia Reg ister's Remarks on
the Same.
Columbia Register.

the same.
Columbia Register.
Last summer when he accepted a nomina-
ton Tor Senator from Charleston county, Mr..
upon which The Register commented al
length, because IL believed that speech show
ed proper appreciation by one OF The Conserv-
atiye leaders OF the political conditions In
South Carolina and Of what was necessary 10
bring about more harmony between the fac.
lions Of the Democratic party. Mr.. Barnwell
then gave il as his deliberate opinion that
jeers and sneers and epithets could serve no
viSed their relegation TO the rear. He prac-
Llced what he preached, for during the recent
session Of the General Assembly, while he ex,
pressed his opinions without reserve, he used
no language that could be objected TO as bit
ter. bitingor sarcastic.
Thursday's News and Courier contains q
upon the work Of the General Assembly at It's
recent session. The Register does not endorse
all he says, ont what he says Is worthy OF at
tention and much Of it is shrewd and practi-
Mr. BarnwelI believes that the South Caro-.
lima General Assembly Is the hardest worked
legislative body In the world; He Pp, processes ses
senate. It's officers and employees, by whom
be was "treated with the utmost courtesy"
He puts on record his belief that the failure 10
In the Dispensary bill was accidental and not
Intentional.
Concerning The debates in the Legislature,
MIR. Barnwell remarks: "There was scarcely
any bitterness In any debate, and the effort
seemed to be, as general rule on the part OF
the Conservatives, not 10 obscure the ques-
| tions by side issues, but TO discuss them OF
their merits" That III the manner In wh5cn
the Reformers have wished their measures to
be discussed and 1t was the failure or IN" Con-
servatives prior to the last session TO so dis
cuss them which most irritated the dominant
faction. It Is perhaps as largely due TO Mr..
Barn well as TO anybody else that there was
this Improvement In the legislative discus
sions. II is distinct step forward. And Mr..
Barnwell is right In not thinking "that any
that the minority had surrendered their con.
victions.' That is the kind of white unity
that is wanted aud needed in south Carolina
shall surrender their convictions" for II
they did political stagnation would ensue
with all lis attendant train OF evils. There
should be differences OF conviction 10 keep
the Democratic party healthy, but the differ
ences should not be carried outside that party
for settlement, and bitterness and rancor
should be wholly eschewed In discussion OF
those differences.
The most Objectionable part OF Mr.. Barn
well's interview is the following paragraph:
"You must recollect that on number OF the
party questions the Conservative vote was
doubled by the addition OF the more inde.
York, Senator Kirkland Of Kershaw and Sem
ator Miller OF Lancaster voted on all subjects
as they pleased and were reinforced from time
to time by other Senator's"
II Ia q violation of bis own program me and
recommendations for Mr.. Barnwell TO charge
THAT some Senators were not independent.
proof that Senators Wilson, ayteld, Efrd,
Jordan, Dennis or any other Reform Senators
were not as independent as Senators Finley,
Miller or Kirkland. And why,should he sim
they "voted on all subjects as they pleased ?"
Did not Senators Norris and Watson do the
same9 Has he any reasonable proof that
Senators Stackhouse, Brown, McCalla or any
Of the others who generally voted against his
wishes did not vote "as they pleased ?" Mr.
Barn wells Interview would have been much
better " ith the omission OF that serious charge
OF lack OF Independence, especially IA he ad-
duced not Il scntllla of evidence 70 sustain II.
The Senators are al as independent az wood
sawyers' clerks, and there IL NO lfse for Sena-
tor Barnwell or any one else TO claim other
wise. A more independent legislative body
deed hard TO find. .,- .
Mr.. Barnwell. .e1vses that the Conservatives
do all they caS aid In making the constitu-
tional convention Don-partisan body, and IL
Is to be hoped they will take thisadvice, for
better was never given,
The meat and marrow OF Mr.. Barn wells re.
marks are summed up by The News and Con.
"He was more than ever con Inced that rid.
icule, sneers and abuse OF every one connect
ed with the Reform faction would never bring
any SOOQ W SIdIc. ucsuSOCdIcu uO oHS-
rif1ce OF principles, no proft sion OF belief as
10 the wisdow OF acts which they had been
condemning, but he did think that time
should not be expended 10 sighipg over the
past but instead the best efforts Of every one
who cared for the State should be bent to-
wards the future and towards doing away
with the animosi les and bitterness OF the last
four years. The doctrine OF undying bate was
not sufficient nourlshment to support any po-
litcal party for happily for all civilized peo-
pies there were not sufficient numbers In any
community who cherished such feelings.
Provided there was no surrender OF eonvic'
tion, or unworthy acknowledgment OF mis-
take, IL should be perfectly possible and hon.
orabIe TO forget party differences and act TO-
sether for the good Of The State.
HE did not for an instant soy that such
course would be successful. The time may
not have arrived yet when the party In power
grasp upon office, but every effort should be
made TO convince the people oil over the Stale
that the opposition were not simply ruled by
the hope or victory or greed for office"
Those are high sentiments and do Mr.. Barn.
we'll credit. On them Is outlined the proper
course for the Conservatives TO pursue, If they
really desire peace and harmony In South
Carolina. The Reformers do not ask the Con.
servatives 10 crawl upon their bellies TO eat
not endorse, TO take water or do anything In
consistent with their self,respect; they sim.
ply ask that the Conservatives see az Mr..
Barnwell does. "that ridicule, sneers and
abuse Of every one connected with the Re
form faction will never bring any good TO the
State" that they will give the Reformers cred;
1t for honesty and integrity OF purpose and
"the doctrine OF undying hate"