The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-02-27
Repudiated By Irby.
He Kicks Vigorously Against
The Tillman Deal.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. IS.

receiving letters lloLu oil OVe[ 'ue Oldte
protesting against the consummation of
a scheme or agreement between Senator
elect Tillman and Governor Evans on
one side and John Calvin Hemphili and
Joe BarLwell, Of Charleston, on the
other.
Ny friends of the Reform movement
seem to be anxious to know whether |
am actiog 10 collision with Governor
Evans against what they conceive to be
a sacrifice and surrender Of %prieclple
and their rights in the election of dele
gates to the State convention. [ wish
you would favor me with the publica-
tion of this letter which must necessari-
ly be brief, to say That | was cot con-
suited by either side to this agreement,
aud without my subsequent acquiesceuce
cannot be bound in an7 respect by what
has been done
In 1885 when Tillman commenced
his most remarkable career was
among the first who echoed for him in
Laurens County. Laurens aud two or
three others endorsed his position in the
election of members of the Legislature
and we wen: to the Legislature to be
sneercd at aud almost spit upon by the
ring or clan in the State that was con-
trolled absolutely by the Cal. HemphilI
and Joe Barnwell class of politicians.
When We had reached the climax, the
crisis, Tiiiman backed down and wrote
a letter Withdrawing from politics or
having anything to do With it. Men
who were as much in sympathy with
bis ideas aod opinions as he vas, even
10 apparently iguominious minority,
were unwilling to follow him and for
sake the people whom we had dared to
lead. and they continued the fight in
the Legislature He was tied hands
aud foot. He could cot have gone be-
fore the people of South Carolina for
any Office after his letter Of retirement
but for the death Of Mr.. Clemson. be-
qaeathins that property to the State for
the benefit of the farmers boys. This
gave him a new opportunity and at my
suggestion be came back into the pollti-
cal arena We met at Dan Tompk:ns'
house on the line of Elge6eld and Ab
beville counties. in the spring of 1889
and agreed upon a fight that would give
the people Of the State control and de-
throne the party led by Cal. Hemphill
and Joe Barnwell. The condition and
understanding was that Tillman was to
lead and be the nominee Of the farmers
for Governor. This is where the March
convention scheme vas agreed upon and
the work carried on by the preparation
of a NANTES o which vas published 10
January following, that calling the
March convention, which nominated
Tiilman for Governor.
So far as | am concerned, results
were all that | wanted. did not ex-
pect any position and my promotion to
the speskership and to the United
States Senate was as great a surprise
to me as it vas to my many friends.
Since my election to the Senate [ have
tried ia every respect to be true to the
people who elected ne 10th 10 Washing
ton and at home. One Of the main
! principles that was advocated at the
March Convention and intended TO be
carried 10 success, was the calling Of a
Constitutional convention. and | mag
say here that it was the hardest fight
that we ever had since 1890. We had
Cal. HemphiIl, Joe Brauwel!, the editor
of Tile State and ofthe GreenuiUe News
opposed to that call. | say it with pro-
per respect and friendship to our pre-
seat Governor, that when the crisis
came aud it looked as if defeat would
follow the action OF ne State cen
vent;on, he fed the State and could
10, be fourd by telegram or letter.
Senator Tiilman stood true to me,
as chairman Of the party, aud did all be
ccu'd We did our best TO make this
call and are nov being abused and viii
fec all oger the United States on the
charge Of corruption and fraud. | had
at least expected him to stand by the
people whom be had led since 1890 aud
10; 60 into any alliance o. compromise
(for compromise means a surrender Of
principle) with such men as BaTnweiI
and Hemphill. | know what it means
after the most faithful loyalty to Till
man since 1885 up to this time. also
know what it means after my throwing
myself into the breach just one year
ago to save Evans from disgracefui de-
feat, to dare to oppose any scheme that
they may agree upon. If the terms of
agreement between this crowd has been
fair aud honorable to the people and to
the Reform movement. would not say
a word. but it means the defeat of the
object of the Constitutional Convection
and the sooner the people Of the State
know it. the better for them.