The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-06-17
Wednesday, June II, 1896
Persecution Of DIR. Bates.

Ever since the Reform party came into
power it seems that many devises have
been resorted to for the purpose of injuring
the good name of the successful candidates.
After Tillman had been in office awhile II
was figured out as matter fact that he must
have acted dishonesty to be enabled to buy
valuable property in Trenton or elsewhere.
The proof of his dishonesty utterly failed.
Then it was sought to make capital OUT oi
the expenditure of the contingent fund In re-
pairs to the Mansion or in furnishing II, ou'
when the matter was looked int little tha'
sander was dropped.
Then in one of the campaigns IT was
charged that there was dishonesty In the
dispensary. If anybody ever believed that
charge, or If anybody ever put himself to the
trouble OF correcting the falsehood, we have
forgotten the fact.
Now it is proposed to blacken the reputa'
On of Tilman, Evans and Bates, by making
serrious charges, or putting an evil construc'
tion on some of their acts In reference 10 the
refunding of State debt.
When it was sought to refund the deot
newspapers in this State, claiming 10 speaA
for the people, did everything possible 10
defeat the refun ding OF the bonded indebted
ness. The old debt was funded at slN per
cent. nv that faction which was represented
nv the malieners Of the credit OF the State,
and they possibly had sufficient influence TO
nrevept the refundlng of the debt at four per
CEN, The State officials being bounded down
by the press of the State, had to keep their
movements from the public, and we presume
it was thus that they were put to greater ex-
pense at refundlns the debt at over four-and-
a-half per cent.
Notwithstanding the saving OF the large
difference between six per cent. and four
and-a-half per cent. which favorable result
was effected by the Tlllman administration,
IT is now proposed TO destroy good names,
and another attempt Is being made to shake
public confidence IN official servants.
In reply to statements, implied charges or
insinuations DR.. Bates makes q full, frank
and apparently unreserved statement.
AS far as this newspaper can see or under
stand, the whole of the charges is reduced 10
this. The bond syndicate employed him 10
do certain clerical work which was necessary
, In completing the refunding OF the State debt
They paid for this work out Of their own
pocket. 1t cost neither the State nor the tax
payers one cent and was matter entlrely
between the syndicate and DR.. Bates.
AS far as we can now remember VIC have
never seen a case In which there was less
ground for complaint, or less excuse for at
tacking faithful and trusted public ofhclals'
Tilman and Evans have not responded. out
we have no sort of doubt that their record
will be proven to be clear of wrong doing ID
this case as it has been in the past under SER
ious charges. The plan of making accusa'
tions has been common for the last five or SIX
years, but We believe that not one charge OF
evil doing has been sustained by facts. Inc
public should make due allowance for the
spite which may prompt fault.fnding news
papers.
This newspaper believes not one word OF
the charges OF corruption, and shall walt ior
proof before believing the charges. Malign- :
ing newspapers We believe do not pretend 10
furnish proof They simply call on the ac-
cused to prove a negative, as we understand
the situation.
Coming, as these charges do, from an un-
friendly press the public should walt for
proof of the guilt of their public servants.