The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-12-02
Ellerbe's Policy.

TRENTON, Nov. 25.-At this point to-day
starting from Columbia, I met the man
who soon after the second Tuesday in
January next is to assume the direction
of the State governnent-Gov elect
William II. Ellerbe-and spent several
hours with him. He talked pleasantly
and pstriotically of the future of his
State, and forces one to the conclusion
that his aim is to bring about genuine
peace and unity among the whole people,
If he is given the proper support. The
governor elect takes high ground on mat
ters of great public concern and says his
desire is to give the entire people of
South Carolina clean, i'm partial admin
istration of the affairs of the State gov
ernment. He says he has clearly marked
down the lines of his policy and expects
to hew to them, trusting to the truly pat
riotic men Of both factions to lay aside
factional differences and personal matters
and give him their assistance.
The governor-elect is looking well just
at this time. He says his health was bad
Just after the cam mpaigD,- but he is now
quite we'll again. Heexpects to move his
family to Colum bia as soon as he is inau-
gurated, and they will reside at the ex-
ecutive mansion. He smilingly remark
ed to day that one leading manufacturer
Of bicycles had offered him machine
if he would take his exercise in that
way, he added with smile: "But
think walking is safer and better for
me. I am accustomed to walking about
the farm"
Mr.. Ellerbe occupies position some
what distinct from his predecessors in
the gubernatorial chair. His election was
one Of the unanimous kind and he is not
bound by promises, neither is he tied up
with obligations to any for support.
About his only promise given in the cam
paign was that to the people of Charles
ton that if they would enforce the dispen-
sary law he would remove the metropoli-
tan police. When I asked him about
this to day, he declined to have anything
to say on the subject, butthose who know
him are assured that that promise will be
kept
AS to the dispensary problem, the gov
ernor-elect, while he will deal with it in
his inaugural, will not make any sugges-
tions or recon- mendations to the General
Assembly. He will, however, feel safe
in saying, call upon the people of the
force the law to the letter IS long as it
is upon the Statute books. Mr.. Ellerbe
has studied the question thoroughly and
has his views as to what should be done,
but those views he is not making public,
nor will he be likely to have anything to
say at all, unless it be in special message
after his Inauguration.
Mr.. Ellerbe has already begun work on
his inaugural address. In that address he
will take new line. He will hardly, de-
vote it to recon % mendations to the General
Assembly, but will very plainly make it
an address to the whole people, general
in its character and broad ir its scope.
For Mr. Ellerbe believes that an inaugu-
raj should be addressed to the people
themselves.
To-day I asked Mr.. Ellerbe about the
chance Of getting reduction Of taxes in
South Carolina. He said this was mat
ter to which he had given most serious
consideration and much time, but he had
failed to evolve any scheme. The only
thing he could see was the increase ofthe
taxable property in the State. This could
be brought about by bringing more peo-
pie into the State and by encouraging the
settlement Of emigrants here. It would
cost no more to run the State government
with this increase Of property and taxes
would be lowered.
Mr.. Ellerbe has outlined an excellent
policy as to the making Of all appoint
ments, but In regard to this, as as in near
ly everything else he is exceedingly reti-
cent.
He had just left Senator Tillman when
! saw him to-day. He and Senator Till
man are members of the curriculum
committee of the Clemson trustees, and
he had come down to see the Senator
about the condition of affairs at the Col
lege. The death of Prof. MCGEE deprives
the colle5e ofa professor Of agriculture,
thus leaving one of the essential depart
ments without director. There seems
to be great difficulty about finding man
to fill the place. 1t has been agreed
upon nnally mE rt EIle5ee ne says, to leaHe
trustees meet at the college commence.
ment. Mr.. Ellerbe says Senator Tillman
is to make two speeches soon-one at st.
Matthews on Dec. 3, in aid of the Calhoun
county scheme; the other at Gaffney on
Dec. 5, in aid of the new county OF which
that place desires to be the county seat
Columbia State.