The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-05-06
EDITORIAL NOTES.

wears retirement from the ranks OF Jour-
nalism, has resumed control of the
Florence Times. He will be welcomed
by his many friends throughout the
State. who will unite in urging him to
eschew farming from this time forth and
stick to his natural calling. newspaper
work, uuremuperative and unhopored
though it may be.
Mr.. John P. Coffin, the founder of
the Florence Daily Times, has severed
his connection with that paper, but will
not retire from actual connection with
the newspaper world. He will continue
the publication Of the Southern Reat
Estate and Financial Journal. Mr.
Cofiu was the pioneer 10 the field of
the afternoon daily iu small towns, and
his paper aud the Daily Item are the
only ones that have succeeded in sur
vivipg aud becoming firmly established.
Mr.. Cofiu is an energetic aud hustling
newspaper man and bis retirement from
the daily field is decided loss.
The members of the City Council
know fully as we'll as any one the
record of the fire department, and be-
ing in the possession of this knowledge,
know what the department. merits at
the hands Of the city. They know the
unpaid services the department has reo-
dered, and they know that the depart
ment has not aud will not ask for re-
muuera,ion. All that is asked is suf-
Gcieut money to provide e suitable
equipment aud to pay the necessary ez-
penses of maintaining the department
90 the present efficient basis. This ie
all that is asked. aud furthermore, 1t
should be granted.
Senator Tillman and Senator Hill
fura;sked amusement for the Senate
and large crowd Of visitors last week.
The press reports say that Senator Till
man made his usual speech. relieved
only occasionally by personal fings at
Senator Hill. There was nothing new
10 the speech, simply a repetition OF
the TRADE against Cleveland, Carlisle
aud the financial policy of the admins
sratiop. On the other hand Senator
Hill kept himself we'll within the
bounds Of parliamentary usage. and
nevertheless, succeeded lu scoring
decided victory over his opponent, who
was called to order aud made to apollo
gise for his violations of the ordinary
rules Of debate. Senator Tillman is
never at his best when he has an op-
ponent. aud seldom succeeds in accomp.
fishing his purpose He must have
the crowd iu sympathy with him aud
have no one at bad to expose the weak
points 10 his speeches. Senator Hill is
ao antagonist that any man might we'll
hesitate before joining battle With, and
that Senator Tillman was not driven
from the field entirely worsted should
be source OF satisfaction to his friends
and supporters.
The County Conventions held
tbroughcus the State were fair indica-
tors of the condition of public opinion
on political issues nov before the people
A review of the various conventions
is therefore of interest to all who would
keep abreast with the politics Of the
State. Ia Greenville county the ex-
,reme reformers controlled the conven-
ton and declaration in favor of free
silver. T,llman aud the State admins
tration was placed ou record. NJ. l..
Donaldson aud J. Walter Gray, mod
crate reformers were turned town.
Donaldson has been member of the
National Democratic Executive Com
uistee and Gray, member of the State
Executive Committee Aiken indorsed
Tillman and Evans aud declared for
free silver at all hazards. Beaufort
divided the delegation between the
conservatives and reformers. E5geseid
sect solid delegation to toe State Con-
vepsiop wi.A Tillman at the head. 4
resolution binding the delegate 20 abide