The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-08-11
MISCELLANY,
Those Two Governors.

Every man in the United States is
supposed to know what the governor
of North Carolina said 10 the governor
of South Carolina but perhaps some
do not know when and under what cir
cum stances the famous remark was
made.
Nearly a century ago man promi-
nent in political affairs in North Caro-
lima moved across the border and set
tied in South Carolina. He had been
there only short time when he com.
mitted some small crime, for which he
was indicted. To escape arrest he re-
turned to his old home in North Caro-
lima. In due course of time the gov
ernor of South Carolina issued his re-
QUESTION on the governor of North Car
DINA for the fugitive criminal
The fugitive had rich aud influential
friends in his native state, and they i'll
terceded with the governor until he re-
fused to grant the requistion. A long
official correspondence followed. Prom
inent men in North Carolina told the
governor that he had not been treated
with proper official courtesy by the
governor of South Carolina.
The result was that the South Caro-
lima governor, accompanied by a large
party of friends and advisers, journey
ed by stage to Raleigh for confer
ence with the governor about the mat
ter of giving up the criminal.
The governor of North Carolina,
with a large party of distinguished
friends, met the governor of South Car
DINA and his party several miles from
town and escorted them to the govern
or's mansion with all the ceremony due
such distinguished visitors.
Before the object of his visit was
stated the entire assembage sat down
to an elaborate dinner. After dinner
wine was served, and after wine came
brandy--the applejack for which the
Old North state is famous.
After many rounds of drinks the de-
canters and glasses were removed and
the governor of South Carolina stated
the object of his visit. He demanded
the surrender of the fugitive criminal.
The governor of North Carolina re-
fused. Then followed long and
heated discussion in which the attor.
news general of the two states took an
active part. Finally the governor Of
South Carolina grew angry, and rising
10 his feet said:
"Sir, you have refused my just de-
mand and offended the dignity of my
office and my state. Unless you al
once surrender the prisoner | will re-
turn to my capital, call out the militia
of the state, and returning with my
army, l will take the fugitive by force
of arms. Governor, what do you say?'
All eyes were turned on the governor
of North Carolina, and his answer was
awaited with breathless interest. The
governor rose slowly to his feet anC
beckoned to servant who stood some
distance away. His reckoning wa;
firm and dignified, as became his posi-
ton. He was slow about answering
and again the governor of South Caro-.
lima demanded: What do you say?"
81 say, governor, that it's a Ions
time between drinks"
The reply restored good humor. De
canters and glasses were brought on
again, and while the visitors remained
if any one attempted to refer to the
diplomatic object Of the visit, he was
cut short by the remark that it was 6
long time between drinks. When the
visiting governor was ready to return
home he was escorted to the state line
by the governor of North Carolina, ant
they parted best of friends.
The fugitive was never surrendered
Florida Times Union.