The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-09-09

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the dispensary law aud continue the
policy I had followed He had diff
cult role to perform and it was impos-
sible for him to give satisfaction. If
be had tried to placate the CoDserva-
tives it would have angered the Re
formers. aud yet his efforts to enforce
the dispensary law and the use Of the
metropolitan police in Charleston en-
ragged its opponents in all the cities and
towns. He thus made enemies while
be failed to retain the support Of his
friends. Entering the race for the
senate as the logical candidate of the
Reform party, be alone has been fought
by The opposition, and in addition the
strange spectacle has been presented Of
two prominent and popular State off,
GERS fighting him secretly or openly
while be has had no assistance what
ever, either from bis present colleagues
or any of tho local leaders. There has
been no organization. Every local.
candidate was either trading him off to
gain Conservative support, or keeping
quiet so as not to give offence. He has
been the only standard bearer We have
had as party, and therefore with his
possible defeat will 60 the defeat of the
party. When be entered the race, the
administration of the governors Office
and bis services and abilities. as dis
played 10 the Constitutional convention,
left him without rival. except the two
who appeared at the last moment, as [
have indicated. Now. what will be the
moral effect of defeat? First, the Re-
form movement will lose the prize
which is justly its own, the place 10 the
United States senate for six years.
This cannot be denied, because Gene
raj Earle has repudiated with scoro that
he is Reformer. Second, the Reform
party will lose prestige outside of the
State and will show that it cannot under
its own rules and regulations control
the election of senator. Third, the Re.
form movement will be disgraced in the
eyes of the world, for the man whom it
has honored as governor will go down
uuder the accusation of personal and
political crimes, which while not
proven, had yet caused his fellow citi.
zens to declare him guilty by their
votes. Those Reformers who from per-
sonal motives, either os securing politi-
cal support for themselves or from aoi
mostly of Governor Evans, nave voted
against him 10 the first primary, must
determine. and Of course they will de-
t,rmine, their own course Of ac:iyn,
Twill simply ask them one or two gees.
tions. If Governor Evaus did rot ap.
pear to be the proper and best candl-
date and the strongest candidate, Why
did they not put up some other good
Reformer
Second. if, uoder the rules Of the
party, the race'for the senate could be
had between General Earle aud several
prominent Reformers whom could
| mention could Earle be elected ?
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 10 Office fight
each other and Reformers in the ranks
vote against their party. how much
longer will there be any Reform party
left? I 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 ioso the belief that this is a
great victory for Reform will sing a
different tune hereafter. "a house
divided against itself cannot stand "
10 conclusion, | feel constrained to
point out to those who may be disposed
to criticise me for writing this letter
that while | am trying 20 represent all
people Of the State withou: regard to
party differences, the var Oh me from
that faction continues Their news
papers have uever let up, and while
this is the case | can uever hope to
wio their good will. | would be glad
to see the present party lines destroyed
acd have given evidence of that la the
Constitutional convention aud other
wise, bu: | know I must depend upon
those who have been my friends in the
past, and my reason for writing as |
have is because | wish to point out that
the disintegration Of the Reform move
ment is Inevitable unless loterneclne
strife and ] calossles are throwo aside
B. r. Tilluan.