The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-09

not prove a negative, IL LAS pcou oo
manded of Governor Evans to prove
his innocence when there was no evi
dence to prove him guilty. He has
committed the fatal bl.nder, contrary
TO INV advice, of noticing MIR. Duncan
lust enough TO keep him as factor in
the election. lie failed to notice the
only charge that was really of any
moment. viz: What he is said TO have
said to Mixson.
Governor Evans entered upon the
duties of his Office pledged to enforce
the dispensary law and continued the
policy | had followed. He had diff
cult role TO perform and it was impos-
sible for him TO give satisfaction. If
he had trid TO placate the Conserva-
tives 1t would have angered the Re
formers, and yet his efforts to enforce
the dispensary law and the use OF the
metropolitan police in Charleston en-
ragged opponents in all the cities and
towns. lie thus made enemies while
he failed to retain The support OF his
friends. Entering the race for the
senate as the logical candidate OF the
Reform party, he alone has been
fought by the opposition and in addi,
ton The str ,nge spectacle has been
presented of two prominent and popu-
lar State officers fighting him secretly
or openly while he has had no assis.
lance whatever. either from his present
colleagues or any of the local lead
ers. There has been no organization.
Every local candidate was either trad
ing him otf to gain Conservative sup
port, or keeping quiet so as not to
give offence. He has been the only
standard bearer we have had as par
ty, and therefore with his possible de-
feat will 20 the defeat of the party.
When he entered the race, the admin
istration of the governors office and
his services and abilities; as displayed
in the Constitutional convention, left
him without a rival. except the two
appeared at the last moment, as have
indicated. Now, what will be the
moral effect of his defeat2 First, the
Reform movement will lose the prize
which is justly its own, the place in
the United State senate for six years.
This cannot be denied, because Gen
eral Earle has repudiated with scorn
that he is a Reformer. Second, the
Reform party will lose prestige outside
of the State and will show that it can
not under its own rules and regula-
tiions control the election OF senator.
Third, the Reform movement will be
disgraced in the eyes of the world, for
the man whom it has honored as gov
ernor will 60 down under the accusa-
ton of personal and political crimes.
which while not proven, had yet caus'
ed his fellow citizens to declare him
guilty by their votes. Those Reform
ers who from personal motives, either
of securing political support for them
selves or from animosity 10 Governor
Evans have voted against him In the
first primary, must determine, and OF
course they will determine, their own
course of action. I will simply ask
them one or two questions. If Gov
ernor Evans did not appear to be the
proper and best candidate and the
strongest candidate, why did they not
put up some other good Refermer2
Second, if, under the rules of the
party, the race for the Senate could be
had between General Earle and sever
al prominent Reformers whomI l could
mention, could Earle be elected2
Third, if General Earle is not Re
former and cannot be expected to give
recognition as senator to Reformers,
what are We to gain by sending him
to the senate?
Fourth, if Reformers in office fight
each other and Reformers in the ranks
vote against their party, how much
longer will there be any Reform par
ty left2 make the prediction that if
Governor Evans is defeated that it is
the beginning of the end, and the
three daily papers which have coddled
our people into the belief that this is a
great victory for Reform will sing a
different tune hereafter. "a house
divided against itself cannot stand"
In conclusion, / feel constrained to
point out to those who may be dispos.
ed to criticise me for writing this let
ter that while l am trying TO repre-.
sent all people of the Slate without re-
gard to party differences, tho war on
me from that faction continues. Their
newspapers have never let up, and
while this is the case can never hope
to win their good will. l would be
glad to see the present party lines de-
stroyed and have given evidence OF
that in the Constitutional Convention
and otherwise, but l know must de-
pend upon those who have been my
friends in the past, and my reason for
writing rs have is because | wish TO
point out that the disintegration of the
Reform movement is inevitable unless
internecine strife and jealousies are
thrown aside. Z. IL. TILLMAN.