The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-02-27

value !; and when the returns are made
up for the collection Of the next taxes
the result VII! be rather surprising to
most people.
The distribution of the worlds goods
has long been known to be very un-
equal, but we never had the truth SO
forcibly Impressed upon US as whe1 we
saw a white mar making his returns.
He returned one dog at $40 aud house
hold goods at SIS. This was all, or at
least he took an oath to that effect.
The interview given out by Senator
elect Tillmau is a document that will
have an effect Of the first importance
upon the campaign for the Constitutional
Convention. Capt. Tilluau is just as
important to-day as a political factor 10
South Carolina as be ever vas. and his
influence if, is anything, more powerful
and wide-extended than ever. His
opinion in matters political is accepted
as final by thousands of white men 10
the State, and no man knows this bette
than Capt. Tillman himself. Therefore
we must accept this interview as his
deliberate and we'll considered opinion
as to what should be the action Of the
Constitutional Convention. He nas a
good deal to say about the uoi6catioo
of the two factions of the white people
and the necessity of muiual concessions
if /, is desired to preserve white supre-
macy, bus, it will be noticed that be
very explicitly sets forth certain things
that the convention must do. Here are
the three most important, Invested Of all
verbiage.
l. Adopt a qualified suffrage that will
preserve white supremacy.
3. Adopt a constitution that shall not
be submitted to the people for approval.
8 Adopt a constitution that shall not
contain the two mill tax for school pur-
poses.
Do the people as a whole approve Of
these demands
The Conservative faction is split
wide open. The Neus and Courier
says compromise, and The State says
fight. Each paper represents a strong
element in the Conservative faction,
and since the issue has beer made so
clearly we are satisfied that there is no
prospec. Of The Conser natives making
any unified fight. The faction is
divided, aud the good results that
might be obtained by a united fight
against TilhAsHADmom a compro-
mise are sure to be lost unless there is
unity of action. And this is out OF the
question now. The factions of the fac
ton have arrayed themselves against
each other and from the present ap-
~pearances the fight will be bitter and
to the finish. There is no back down
or compromise in The State, and the
Neus and Courier gives evidence of a
set determination 20 carry through to
the end the compromise policy.
We regret to see the faction split lnto
opposing and hostile clements, but we
bad expected this result for sometime.
We regret the occurrence because 1t
tends to increase the power Of the Till
man combine, aud defers to an iude6-
ute day the time when the State shall!
be freed from a ring Of unpriocipled
politicians. We believe hat the Re-
formers will be il absolute possession Of
the Constitutional Convention aud that
the few others who will have seats will
be disregarded and run over.
Something might be gained By either
a compromise or a fight; tu; everything
viii be lost by a compromise and a
fight. 1t does seem that the remark
oncc applied to the Democratic Party
is very appropriate to the Conservative
faction. It can be depended upon to
make a fool of itself at the right time
for its opponents
Siuce the last turn Of affairs we are