The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-01-30
POpe's Appeal.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Ex-senator Butler
laid before the Senate to-day the petition
of Mr. Sampson Pope, late candidate for
Governor of South Carolina on the Demo-
cratic ticket. The petition is in the hand
writing of Mr.. Pope, is addressed to the
Senate and makes some very plain state
ments relative to the conduct of the elec-
ton. It says:
"The undersigned respectfully repre-.
seuts that he is citizen Of the State Of
South Carolina, aud that at the election
held in that State on November 6, 1891,
he was candidate for the Office OF Gov
ernor, and was, as he believes, detraudod
al said election to such an extent as to
deprive him OF said office; that members
Of the General Assembly were elected al
the same election, who have recently
elected B. R. Tillman a United States
Senator; that thousands Of voters were
prevented from casting their ballots at
said election by reason Of fraud, force and
intimidation; that thousands Of ballots
were thrown out or destroyed, and in
many instances other ballots were SUBJ
sfituted for them by managers and other
persons; that the constitution Of the
United States and Of the State of South
Carolina and the laws passed pursuant
thereto were utterly disregarded; that
these frauds were committed under the
direction of Benjamin R. Tillman, then
Governor of said State, and of Hon. J. l..
M. Irby, chairman of the State Executive
Committee, who is member of your
honorable body.
"Wherefore, your petitioner prays that
a committee may be appointed by your
honorable body charged with examining
into the conduct Of said election, with
power to send for persons and papers,
and on the coming in Of the report ofsaid
committee that such action be taken in
the premises as the report will justify"
WASHINGTON, D. c., Jan. 25.-Senators
Butler and Irby met in the lobby Of the
Senate to-day and had brief but AMIGA
BILE conversation relative to the Sampson
Pope petition recently presented to the
Senate by Senator Butler. The South
Carolina colony is greatly agitated over
this subject, and they are anxiously
awaiting further developments. Some Of
Senator Iroy's friends advise him to get
up in open Senate and resent the charges
made against him personally in the petit
ton and demand an immediate investiga-
ton. Others suggest that he await the
action of the committee on elections, to
whom the petition was referred.
Senator Irby says he does not propose
to act hastily in this matter, but states
that he will look after his own interests
and those of Senator elect Tillman when
the proper time arrives. He has con-
ferred with several of his senatorial asso-
ciates and they appear to be non-commit-
tai as to which is the better course to
pursue. There is similar allegation
against Senator Morgan, of Alabama,
which has been sleeping quietly in the
committee on elections, and there is no
disposition on either side of the Senate to
disturb it at present.
DR.. Pope's petition formally reached
the committee on elections to day and
Senator Gray, chairman Of the committee,
says he cannot anticipate what action
may be taken upon it. Senator Butler is
equally reticenton the subject and denied
to Senator Irby the report that he intend
ed to offer resolution urging prompt
action. Senator Butler says he thinks it
wise to wait until Senator Irby decides
what line Of proceedings he will follow.
Among Senators the subject is not
frequently alluded to. They admire
Senator Butler, but they do not feel
called upon to take sides in the South
Carolina controversy. Senator Irby and
Senator elect Tillman are elected as Dem
ocrats and they will be treated fairly by
their party associates. In view of the
narrow margin between the two leading
parties in the Senate it is difficult to fore
shadow the action upon DR.. Pope's petit
tion.-Nea0S and Courier.