The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-09-09
TlLLMAN TAKES A HAND.
HE WRITES LETTER IN THE INTER
eSTOF GOV. EVANS.
he Is Persuaded to "Give an Expreesion
cfHis Opinion of The Situation-Adsised
All R.fn,msrs Tn Vote for the Governor.

Columbia, S. c., Sept. lSt, 1870.
Hon. B. r. Tillman. Trenton, S. c.:
Dear Sir-Recognizing you as the
originator and trusted leader of the
Reform movement in South Carolina,
and having full confidence in your
Judgment and political foresight, we
respectfully ask an expression OF opin-
ion from you regarding the senatorial
race and the effect its result may have
upon the future of the Reform move
ment in this State and in the nation.
We know your reluctance to interfere
in this race and your determination to
avoid anything like dictation, as has
been shown by your public u!terances :;
but we regard this as st rious crisis,
and, as in time past, your wise leader
ship and advice have brought the Re'
form movement safely through grave
perils, we feel that you should now
lake the helm and give an expression
to your fellow citizens of your opin-
ion of the situation.
M. B. McSweeney,
James Norton,
w. T. g. Bates,
j. Gary Watts,
w. A. Neal,
J. VIM. Stokes,
A. G. Latimer,
A. w. Jones, Abbeville, S. 9.
G.P. Scarborough, Darlington, S C.
j. w. McCown, Florence. s. 9.
G. L. Winkler, Camden, S. @.
B. +. Holley, Aiken, S. q.
w. W. Williams. Aiken. s. G.
w. Fl. Mauldin, Hampton, S. q.
A. +. H. Dukes, Orapgeburg. S G.
I. w. Bowman, Orangeburg, S. G.
w. w. Cassels, Chester, S. G.
G. D. Bellinger, Barnwell, S. 9.
T. Y. Williams, Lancaster, S. G.
8. w. Scruggs, Greenville, S. Z.
j. M. Harrelson, Spartanburg, s. G.
E. j. Dennis. Berkeley, S. @.
j. B. Morrison. Berkeley, S. G.
J. Long, Union, s. g.
w. A. Nicholson, Union, S. @.
j. A. Sigh, Newberry, S. Z.
Robert Aldricb, Barnwell, S G.
G. w. Garris, Smoak's, S. g.
A. H. Williams, Williamsburg Co.
Willie Jones, Richland, S. g.
w. A. Bennett, Spartanburg, S. @.
J. d. M. Shaw, Laurens, S. &.
o. G. Thompson, Laurens, S. Q.
II. l.. Farley, Spartanburg, S. g.
Jno. B. Davis, Edge6eld, S. G..
T. G. Robinson, Pickens. S. g.
Josh w. Ashley, Anderson, s. @.
+. B. Stackhouse, Marion, S. 9.
Trenton. S. c., Sept. Q, 1896.
To Messrs. M. B. McSweeney, James
Norton, w. T. G. Bates, j. Gary
Watts, w. A. Neal. J. A. Sigh, j.
D. M. Shaw, A. @. Latimer and
others.
Gentlemen: Your letter of this date
has just been received, and as its ten
or demands prompt answer, / reply at
once. l had intended to say and do
nothing in the senatorial race, but |
recognize in you, my strong personal
and political friends, the right 10 call
upon me both for advice and work, if
need be-. What I may say may serve
only 10 give an explanation of the
causes that have produced threaten
ed disaster rather than avert it. You
ask me to take the helm" when the
ship is already in the breakers. As
true man I must do SO, even though
at this late day J might well ask why
you have not called on me sooner. /
regard the election of Governor Evans
to the Senate now as political neces'
sny. I say this without the slightest
degree of disparagement to his oppo'
nent. There is necessarily difference
of opinion among our people as to the
fitness and qualifications of these two
gentlemen for the high Office named.
But this is not personal contest, and
Governor Evans alleged shortcomings
and Judge Earle's qualifications can
not now enter as factors in the consid.
Grafton of the question by the true Re-
formers OF the State. To these l ad.
dress myself because I know too we'll
that nothing can say will have any
weight with those who have fought
me with such intense bitterness in the
past and who now fight Evans as the
exponent of Reform The Reform
movement had its origin in the de-
mand of the people, the common peo
pie, for recognition III governmental
affairs. 1t swept the State and assum-
ed absolute control of all its depart
ments. General Earle opposed it with
bitterness in 1890, but his manly ac-
quiescence in the result won the res.
pect and esteem of all his opponents,
so much so that he has since Deen
honored by an election to judgeship.
He cannot therefore complain that the
Reformers are unforgiving. The ques.
ton is. has he earned the United
States senatorship, and is he in sympa-
thy with the men who are 10 give it to
him if he receives it2
Herein lies the essence of the whole
matter, and he himself, time and again
on the stump, has declared emphati-
cally, II am not a Reformer," thus
making subtle appeal to his old sup
porters by an avowal of still being one
of them and repddiating those who
had honored him.
When the campaign opened al Man.
ming, General Earle withdrew from
the race because he felt that he could
not hope to win against Governor
Evans alone, and only when he re-
entered it at thu last m"ment, when
i.e had been informed of Mr.. Duncan s
entry and speech, indicating a fight
between Reformers by which he could
hope 10 profit.
He did not enter the canvass active,
ly until he had watched its course for
two weeks, and with subsequent events
The public are familiar. Suffice it to
say, that while Mr.. Duncan hung on
like sleuth hound and doubtless full