The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-07-29
Colonel Haskell Replies.
Denounces Governor Evans
and Make Statements.

10 the EuItOI VI 1uS OtoIo
l have to day seen your paper of
the 23d and Oath ; in the first there
is report of the campaign meetig
at Cheraw, in which Mr.. John Gary
Evans is reported as saying John
Haskell says the Evans boys howled
Hampton down. but he knew it was
lie For several years | have
carefully avoided expressing in pub.
lie my opinion of the humiliating
events that have occurred in our old
State, eliminating in the deep dis
grace which put this vile little dema-
gogue in the governors chair He
has gone out of his way to make a
wanton attack on me and seeks to
make political capital out of it. |
don't believe that the people of our
State. if they knew him, would sup
port him for any any position and !
believe that many who disagree with
me in politics, will not hesitate to
believe anything that | say and this
induces me to take notice of what |
would otherwise treat with the utter
contempt that | feel for this person.
First, as to his charge, when he
pretends to quote me, he knows that
he wilfu.ly lies General Hampton
went to Aiken, not as candidate,
but as an invited guest. A few Of
the audience treated him with great
rudeness no man, who knew any
thing of the facts, doubted that
Evans encouraged them in this con-
duct. He has denied it then and
doubtless, if it serves his purpose,
will lie about it again. | never
spoke of the Evans boys, for L did
not suppose that he had any follow
ers, even among those who insulted
General Hampton.
And now a word to his career. |
was member Of the Legislature when
he first came there and was counsel
for the Richmond ard Danville road.
| heard of him as a lawyer of rather
low standing at the Aiken bar.
From conversations | had with MIN |
came to the conclusion that he want
ed TO be employed by the railroad
Soon after my professional connec-
tion with clearing the titles Of coal
and iron property in Virginia and
North Carolina took up so much of
my time that l resigned as counsel for
the Richmond and Danville railroad,
l was consulted by the officers as to
who to retain, and among others, ad.
vised them to employ in some ca.
pacity Mr.. John Gary Evans, as l
warned them he would give trouble
if not bought Very soon he was
put on as director of one of the
branch roads in Carolina. With
in a few days of his appointment, his
brother from Edge6eld and his uncle
from Georgia, appeared for the first
time in the general assembly as at.
torneys for the Danville railroad.
They did the same at the ensuing
sessions until Mr.. John Gary Evans
was dropped from the board.
Now challenge him to write to
the party who employed him and see
if he will say this appointment of
brother and uncle was not made to
secure his influence against hostile
legislation. Don't let him just deny
it; of course he will be ready to lie
out of it. He knows who employed
him; let him ask that man in writ
ing
As to the bond matter, Mr.. Rhind
stated to the syndicate that of the
large commissions which he retained,
the bulk had to 60 to parties whose
influence was needed in the South
Carolina assembly. Ifhe dares to do
it, let him ask Rhind who he refer.
red to. If he dares to do it let him
ask DR.. Bates to answer the categor-
ical question as to who got the mon
ey. If he dares to do it, let him
have the checks for payment pro-
duced and see who endorsed them.
Any man who will act dishonesty will
lie to protect himself Don't let him
stand on Tillman's letter until Fill
man has cleared his own skirts OF
participation in the job.
He has never dared to deny that
since he became governor the State
and disocnsary insurance has been
taken from reliable agents and given
to his brother Immediately after his
coming to Columbia as an insurance
agent. 1t won't do for him to say
that this was done by his subordln-
ates s; no sensible man will be de-
ceived by such "a statement as that
for one instant No one will doubt
why all bonds of keepers OF dispen.