The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-12-02
Thomas Tackled.
The Cotton Plant Opens a Few
BollS at Him.

too is growing very interesting aud the
general public is enjoying the fun.
The majority of the commission. it is
understood, will reply to Mr. Thomas
in a few days. Below is given the
reply of the editor of The Cotton Plant.
which will appear ia the next issue OF
that paper
I'VE publish elsewhere 10 this paper
another of Commissioners fleory 4.
Thomas effusiops upon the fertilizer
rate question As the public mind is
already made up upon the question.
aud Mr.. Thomas alone apparently needs
light upon it. We hope that we will be
excused for addressing the following
remarks personally to the minority
member Of our Ssate board Of railroad
commissioners.
You doubtless remember, Mr.. Thom.
as, writing this paper several weeks ago
requesting us to enIigbten the people
upon the fertilizer reduction and eDclo.
sing printed pamphlet containing
your views in the matter. which We
carefully studied but unfortunately
could not see the matter 10 the light in
which you viewed it.
Well, Mr.. Thomas, we can assure
yor that it was the only request or sug-
gestion we received from aoy member
of the commission to discuss previous
to the appearance of the editorials
which sou very upjustly accuse the
other members upon the board with
ycu. aud your secretary. Of writing or
inspiring. While Col. Duncan is one
of the committee Of Eve appointed BY
the Alliance TO manage The Cotton
Plaut. be is likewise innocent Of their
suggestion or authorship. Il is unue-
cessary for US to state that Col. Duocan
has neglected no duty to contribute edi.
torials to this paper. for, with the ex-
ceptiou Of bis statement. about the cot
Ton tie 6ght. be has not penned line
for it the present year. We believe.
Mr.. Thomas, that you felt meao after
you had penned that sentence in which
you so accuse him. knowing it as you
do to be absolutely without excuse or
foundations. At least We will give you
or, lit for such q sentiment.
Now. Mr.. Thomas. don't you think
that you owe the other members of the
body Of which you a,e member an
apology? Don't you tbiok that you
owe the public frank admission that
YOU have misrepsented things to them
We deny that this paper. or Messrs.
Wilbors. Evans o. Duncan, or the
State Alliance of South Carolina.
which requested this reduction. are
..wild - As far as this paper is cou-
cerned, you know that we have en-
deavored to discuss the question 90 its
merits, while you have been impu,ing
motives to your associates.
An examination of our paper will show
you that we have scrupulously refrained
from making any suggestion as to
YOUR motives Mr. Thomas, aud We
have thereby left unsaid great deal
that we nigh, say We likewise deny
that We have misrepreseuted you 10 the
slightes. particular, either malioioosly
or otherwise. aud we invite you to free
use of our columos to show wherein We
have done 80 We have not one scin.
tilla of malice against you. IS you
know. but ra her of sympathy for one
who thinks rhe farmers of South Caro-
lima so gulhble as to be taken 10 by fhe
chat you have been giving them.
You are holding up MIR. Thomas. as
q big bngaboo. your willingness to re-
duoe the freight on cotton To be
downright honest With you the people
do not expect you to willingly submit
to any reducing made in their interest
but if they are 10 dead earnest about
this cotton reduction, it is not too late
vet. We have no doubt but that if
you would present the matter to them
with half she energy which you ba0e
sbowo 10 this fertilizer business, tbv
other members would meet you nalf
way. However. We would suggest to
you that great deal. in fact most. of
the cotton Is shipped out of South Caro-
lioa. aud that, like the reduction in the
freight on watermelons, which our
growers want. but cannot get because
OF men like you 90 the interstate CON
merce commission. it is question
which you cannot control. But there
is a good volume Of cotton shipped to
local poiots. nevertheless. aud We hope
you will take the matter up and push
it. We assure you that we will not
contend that the poor, downtroddeu
railroads will lose money and pull up
aud leave the STATE if you get it into
operation
You can rest assured, Dir. Thomas.
that you are not regarded as wild"