The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-02-02
INTERVIEW WITH GOVERNOR
ELLERBE

Office and Intends to be Governor
OF South Carolina.
The senior editor of the Piedmont
Headlight has been visit to Columbia
and gives the following as the result
OF an interview with the new Governor:
We met Governor Ellerbe, of course.
He has just recovered from an attack of
the grip and is looking rather thin, but
otherwise his health is good. The
Governor was temporarily stopping at
the Jerome, but on Monday moved with
his family into the mansion Governor.
EilerDe's room was constantly crowded
with visitors, and no man who ever
filled office in South Carolina started
his public career under brighter aus
plces. Every one is anxious that his
administration succeed, and will cx-
tend to him helping hand. Governor
Elleroe Is o gentleman, and we closely
watched his reception OF visitors 1t
mattered not to which political faction
the callers belonged, or what be their
condition in life, he extended to them
the same courteous and kind greeting.
Even the army of of1ice-scekers that
besieged him were received with the
greatest courtesy.
The next day we called on the Gov
ernOr at his office, and held a long
conversation. Governor Ellerbe feels
the responsibility resting upon his
shoulders, and spoke of his peculiar
position. He said he was as firmly at
tached TO the principles of reform as
at any time in his career, but he
realized the fact that when we adopted
our direct primary it WAS an accom-
plishment of the chief end Of our mis-
sion, for now every man can repair to
the ballot-box and vote for the candi-
dates of his choice.
Under the old political regime"
said Governor Ellcrbe, "the great cause
that our farmers had for grievance was
that they were disfranchised through
packed conventions. But that mode
of nominating officers is now abandoned
and every white voter, it matters not
how poor or illiterate he may bc, can
have an equal voice in the government
of his State with his fellow Democrats.
Now, II we deny the right of the mi
norlty to participate in an equal gov
ernment of this State, or resort to
ulterior means to override their will,
then we, as Reformers, are doing Just
what we condemned in the men who
governed our State up to 1890. | main
tained this view when defeated for Of
lice some two years ago.
81 fully realize the fact that occupy
peculiar and delicate position. No
man more highly appreciates the sup
port of his friends than myself, or will
prove more loyal to his political con-
victions. But, at the same time, my
people, through the first direct prim-
ary ever held in South Carolina, have
made me Governor Of their State, and
intend to be Governor, and not fac
tlonal leader. | know that much is
expected OF me-much more, perhaps,
than will ever be able to accomplish
My position is far from an enviable
one. On one hand have the Scylla of
Reform, aud on the other hand the
Chary bdis of Conservatism. | must
| stee" between these two factions, and
where the slumbering embers Of strife
arc not yet eXtinguished. | shall
earnestly strive to avoid either rock,
! and with a firm grip upon the helm of
state try and shape my administrators
as will rebound to the honor and up-
building of South Carolina. I believe
in the rule of the white majority at
the ballot-boX, and in my appointment
of officers will be somewhat guided by
| recon mendations Of the county mem
bers in the General Assembly. But [
shall not forget the fact that am Gov
ern0r, and will carefully scrutinize the
| made, and then select the men whom
| believe will best serve the public. |
| do not intend to be used by any man or
| set OF men to revenge personal griev-
| anceS. | have asked those members
representing conservative counties to
divide their appointments with reform
ers, and they have generally agreed to
| do SO.
81 believe that the people OF South
| Carolina are wcaried Of all this fac.
tional strife and turmoil, and it is high
time that we were at peace and turning
our attention to the material develop
ment OF the State"
Governor Ellcrbe Is one OF the broad
est-minded men NO ever knew, and q
true patriot. He was raised up at this
peculiar time to heal the differences
existing in his State and bring peace
out OF discord, and turn the attention
OF our people from factional differences
into the broader channel of material
prosperity. We do not know Of an
other man in South Carolina who could
discharge this delicate mission as VIM,
Fl. Ellerbe. While he retains the
confidence of bis own faction. at the
same time he has the good will and
respect of conservatives.
The man who thinks that Vm. II
Ellerbe will be under his domination
is counting without his host. Ellerb,
has been elected Governor, and he doe!
not intend to surrender his power int
the hands Of any one. When Ellerbt
declared he intended to be Governo
he meant every word of it.
-HH-.s
| -Nha hiatnrian ~