The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-07-17
TILLMAN
IN CHICAGO.
rORS-HE Is
VERY AFFABLE.
a Reporter for the Chicago Record
Writes About South Curolina's
Senator.

man House to learn the art of fire. eat
ing were disappointed. The act of
shaking hands with Senator Benjamin
r. Tillman, of South Carolina. was
pleasant, but wholly devoid of thrilling
sensations.
The Senator burned to red fire. He
did not carry pitchfork on his
shoulder. He did not refuse to shake
hands with one of his callers who look
ed like Grover Cleveland.
Some of those who came and went
through the open door had trouble in
picking out the man who startled the
entire Senate into listening to an entire
speech. Tho Senator's secretary,
Daniel Fl. Thompkins, has set of side
whiskers that would grace the Chicago
postoffice, and local people were
naturally inclined in his direction. The
secretary modestly disclaimed all
honor, and passed the visitors on
usually into corner of the room where
man with broad shoulders and q
Roman face was talking.
The Senator, unlike many of the
politicians in the hotel, seemed to talk
for the purpose of being heard. The
number of men in his confidence was
limited by the size of the room. They
sat on the lounge when chairs were
filled, and on the bed when the lounge
became too small. All could hear
what he had to say on all subjects.
But it was noticed that he was not
heard expressing any preferences in
the matter of the Presidential nomina-
ton.
Now and then, when a visitor of un-
usual note dropped into the room, the
Senator would notice the warmth of
the room and take stroll with him
out through the corridor. Senator
Turpie, of Indiana, was one Of these,
and Governor Stone, of Missouri, was
another. But even then Senator Till
man was for the time man without a
personal candidate. When it came to
silver he was different.
The disturbcr of Senatorial slumbers
was dressed like man intent upon
keeping cool, and there was nothing
of the "clothes" man about him. A
light negligc shirt, low collar and
Windsor tic helped out the comforta-
BILE etlct Of the white waistcoat
There is no end of vigor in the Sem
ators face. His features are Roman,
and this effect is heightened by high
forehead, short, dark hair and want of
mustache or beard. His forid skin
shows plenty of sun exposure. The
general expression is stern. His man
ner, however, contradicts this. He is
aiihbl and courteous.
To people who asked him all sorts of
questions, Senator Tillman made much
the same answer. The little silver
badge on his coat lapel with Free
Coinage" and I6 to l" on it told
what he preferred to talk about.
When the certainty of free silver
pl itform and a free silver nominee had
reen given considerable time, the talk
turned to the question of abrogating
the two thirds majority rule.
Senator Tillman grew earnest and
squared his shoulders rs he passed
judgment on the time-honored rule.
''If it comes to the point of the two
thirds rule preventing the nomination
of some strong free silver man 1 am in
favor Of abolishing it. Sentiment?
Not bit Of it in me on that question.
This is not question of party princi-
%
its period of usefulness. 1t was
adopted in the days before the war to
give the slave holding States an OPP
porturity to retain the veto power
against the non-slave- holding States.
Since the cause for its existerce has
long since passed away I see no reason
why it should be carefully preserved
now. l don't believe in getting the
government of the Democratic party
from the .4Os."
"In the Democracy the majority
ought to rule, oughtn's it?'
The Senator laughed as if anything
else was absurd.
''The two-thirds rule is preserved
for the sake of giving the obstruction
lists veto power in the convention.
The history Of the party shows that in
many instances it has resulted in the
rejection OF a candidate who was
wanted by the people, and the nomi-
mating OF man who was the choice
of n few-a less desirable man.
eff this rule stands in the way of
the maj ority, who wish strong silver
man, I am In favor of giving it
The form Of the gift bothered the
Senator for minute. Then he went
through the motions of football punt
with genuine vigor, and added: "Of
giving it the boot"
'Do you believe the rule will be
abrogated?" he was asked.
81 could not even guess. have not
get found my bearings in this conven-
ton, and L don't know the trend of
affairs. I only say it will be abrogated
if necessary"
''Do you believe the action OF the
Illinois delegation was premature?"
'Oh, | don't want to criticise the Hi