The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-09-17
GREEK MEETS GREEK
BEN TILLMAN AND BROTHER
GEORGE BITTERLY ATTACK
ONE ANOTHER.
REGULATION SOUTH CAROLINaROW

But the Senator Won the Fight--
George, on Saturday Last, had had
New County Named Butler. but
Ben had 1t Changed again TO Saluda
and Tainted IrbY for his Silence Sat-
urday--An AIl-ROund Cat-and-dOg
Time of UnwOnted Excitement.
COLUMBIA, s. O., Sept 16.-The pro-
ceedings of the Constitutional Conven-
ton to day were characterized by most
exciting tilt between Senator TIllman
and his brother George D. Tillman on
the question of naming a new county.
George D. Tillman on Saturday had sue
C eded in getting the county named But
ler. Senator Tillman was absent at the
time and returning 10 day, he moved to
change the name to Saluda. In
passionate speech he charged Senator
Butler with being traitor to the
party and said that to name a county
after him was an insult to the reformers
of the State. George D. Tillman in re-
ply taunted his brother with fighting a
man whom he had defeated and dramat-
ically striking his breast exclaimed
Thank God there is no sentiment in my
heart that won make me stoop so low"
The scene became intensely exciting and
the convention was in wild confusion,
which continued until adjournment at
4:10 p. m.
Senator Tillman in his speech taunted
Senator Irby with not replying to his
brother, G. d. Tillman, on Saturday and
Irby in a hot speech denounced Tillman
for stirring up strife in the Convention
and said it came with ill-grace from a
man to hound his fallen foe, and de-
clared that Butler, in patriotism, honesty
and courage, was the equal Of Tillman
or any otherman in the State. When
a vote was finally obtained Senator Till
man carried his point and the new
county was named Saluda instead of
Butler by vote of so to "a.
A new county has been formed out OF
Edgefeld, from whlsh many of South
| Carolinas most distinguished sons have
come. Dhe naming OF this county pre-
cIpitated the hottest fight of the conven-
ton. AS introduced the ordinance
named the county Saluda, but Saturday,
Cklring the absence of Senator TiAman,
ex- Congressman George Tillman had the
name changed to Butler, in honor of
| the Butler family, whose name is in
dissolubly linked with South Caro-
lina's most glorious history. The
chief living representative of that
family is N. @. Butler, who was defeat
ed for reelection to the Senate after
| bitter struggle. Butler after his defeat
in the Democratic ranks backed Pope's
independent campaign for Governor and
brought case before Judge Goff to have
overturned the registration laws which
preserve white supremacy in South
Carolina, under which he held twice
Offices. To-day Ben Tlllman led
successful fight to change the
n lme back to Saluda, the name
desired by the people of the new county,
who are a unit IN opposition 10 honor
| ing an independent He made bitter
speech, scoring his brother and ex
Senator Butler without mercy. He also
attacked Senator Irby for not resenting
George Tillman's speech Saturday. Irby
replied in a sarcastic arraignment Of
Ben. Tillman as the man who prevened
peace between the white factions.
| Congressman Wilson followed with a
retort to Tillman, he being one Of
the reform Democrats who had voted
for the name Butler. Congressman Tai-
bert and State Senator Watson of Edge
| field took part in the warm and per-
sonal debate. The audience was wound
/ up to a high pitch of excitement and
frequently broke out in loud cheering of
the speeches of the giants of debate,
which the president was utterly unable
to repress. No more exciting scenes
were ever witnessed in South Cardinals
Legislative halls.