The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-09-18
A LONG HOT DAY IN THE
CONSTITUTIONAL CON-
VENTION.
Ben. Tillman and George Tillman
Pltted Against Each Other
Irby Takes Hand and
Gives Ben. Tlllman
Basting.
Ben TIllnsan Hates the Butler Name
and the New County VIII be
Named Soludo.

The convention yesterday was more
like campaign meeting of 80 or 80
than an assemblage of lawmakers.
Senator B. r Tillman vas at his best
as a haraoguer Of the bitterest, most
sarcastic character. George D. Till
man also took a hand. and that he has
lost none Of the FIRE aud energy for
which he vas famed twenty years ago,
his speech was abundant proof.
Senator lrby sho~ed himself 10 new
light and his speech created a great
sensation among the Rsformers The
States report of the most sensational
part of the proceedings was as follows:
There we're scenes enacted tho re that
those who witnessed them will never
forget; words we're uttered by impas-
siooed men ,has nothing can ever wipe
from the pagessof Sonth Cardinals his
tory. The riIinan brothers we're par
ticola.ly severe upon one another.
"Uocle" George blue eyes. as true as
the man himself, flashed forth the fire
be fels, aud his massive bosom rose
and fell with the regularity of heavy
sea. indicating clearly she tumult rag
ing within his breast Ben's single
bt2wn eye seemed TO become black aud
it cleaned with Gre greater than
ever noted in aoy of the heated wars Of
words in which be has been engaged
from time to time. Talbert got very
angry several times, bus KEEP: his head
better than moss meo. Irby's face was
first red and then became pale as a
sheet as he warmed to his work
Oue single word-''Butler"-was
the cause Of the whole explosion aud
the dow of dynamite-cbarged verbal
darts tba: we're fred thick aud fast.
All onlookers aad listeners we're labor
ing under sabdued excitement all the
time, not knowing what the next mo-
neus would bring forth.
The whole thing came from George
D. Tillman's speech in regard to the
establishment of Butler county aud the
action of the convention in so estab-
fishing aud naming the county in the
absence of Senator Tillman. The Sen
ator was never more bitter, perhaps, in
his whole career. Things that he said
of Gen Butler we're rough 10 the ex-
.reme and be did not mince cords 10
speaking of his elder brother. His
whole frame as he spoke seemed to
quiver with passion. Irby, too, spoke
with more energy aud passion than he
has ever yet beeo known to display.
Right in the mids: of George Till
mans most forcible speech little gol
dep-haired page ran up to him with an
immense aud particularly beautiful
bouquet Of flowers and laid it on mis-
desk. 10 a short .ime another page
laid one very mach like it on Senator
Ti!iman's desk. It vas battle of per-
sonai,;es indulged IL By four members
of the Eigeield delegation of giants"
and Senator Erby as the leading 6g-
ures
Several times other delegates tried
their best to put a stop to the sensational
proceedings. but all such attempts failed.
The 6rs, weeks record Of the absence
Of political matters from the convection
vas knocked Into cooked bat inside Of
three minutes. As a final result the
nsme of Butler" has been taken from
the uew county aud the name Of Sa,uda
has been su bstitu.ed therefor
During the several hours that all this
continued the galleries were filed with
spectators whose n.rves we're strained
to .ae very highest pitch The door
keeper of the lower Aoor bad the great
est difficulty in keeping back the mass
of people who struggled for positions 10
the lobby, where they could get a
glimpse of the speakers and hear what
was beng said. Inside the hall were
many military officers, all clad in full
dress uniforms. But the story of the
day is fully told below aud from it may
be gathered very complete under
standing of what took place.
When the special order establishing
Butler county vas called up for its
third reading Senator Tillman, looking
more or less excited, rose aud said be
desired to ask the consent of the con-
ven,ion. under the rules allowing
amendments by consent os the major
ity, to make an amendment TO the or
dinauce. so as to change the name.
leaving it as it was He had done this
after consultation with the members Of
several committees. who had come here
10 regard to the matter
Ii bar become known, though 1t was
rot expected because of the peculiar po
si.ion Senator Tiilman occupied in the
matter. that be would make an effort
70 have the name Of Butler county lef,
out and that of Saiuda subs ':uted and
every one realized tba. there was an