The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-10-21
THE TRUE VERSION.
That Famous Remark About Its be-
ing n Long Time Between Drinks.

From the Florida Citizen.
Every man in the United States is
supposed to know what the governor
of North Carolina said to the governor
of South Carolina" but, perhaps, some
do not know when and under what cir
cumstances the famous remark was
made. Nearly n century ago a man
prominent in political affairs in North
Carolina moved across the border and
settled in South Carolina. He had been
there only a 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 COVER
nor of South Carolina issued his
requisition on the governor of North
Carolina for the fugitive criminal.
The fugitive had rich and influential
friends in his native state, and they in
terceded with the governor until he re-
FUSED to grant the requisition. A long
ofilcial correspondence followed. Prom
inent men i'm South Carolina told the
governor that he had not been treated
with proper official courtesy by the
governor Of North Carolina. The re-
suit was that the South Carolina gov
ernor, accompanied by large party of
friends and advisers, journeyed by
stage to Raleigh for a conference with
the governor about the matter of Civ
ing up the criminal. The governor of
North Carolina and his party of dis
tinguished friends, met the governor of
South Carolina and his party several
miles from town, and escorted them to
the governors mansion with all the
ceremony due such distinguished visit
ors. Before the object of his visit was
stated, the entire assemblage sat down
to an elaborate dinner After dinner,
wine was served, and after wine came
brandy-the apple jack 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 a long and heated
discussion, in which the attorney gem
erals of the two states took an active
part. Finally the governor of South
Carolina grew angry, and, rising to his
feet said
Sir, you have refused my just de-
mand and offended the dignity of my
office and my state. Unless you at once
surrender the prisoner | will return to
my capital, call out the militia of the
state and, returning with my army, I
Will take the fugitive by force of arms.
Governor, what do you say?"
All eyes were turned on the COVER
nor of North Carolina, and his answer
was awaited with breathess interest.
The governor rose slowly to his feet.
and beckoned to a servant who stood
some distance away. His beckoning
was firm and dignified, as became his
position. He was slow about answer
ing, and again the governor of South
Carolina demanded, what do you
say?'
II say, governor, that it's a long time
between drinks"
The reply restored good humor. De
canters and glasses We're brought out
again, and, while the visitors remained,
II any one attempted to refer to the
diplomatic object of the visit he was
cut short by the remark that it was a
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,
and they parted the best of friends.
The fugitive was never surrendered,