The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-20
TART LETTER FROM TILLMAN.
SENSATION IMMINENT IN THE Dis
PENsARY SCANDAL.

Gov. ElIerbec Declines to Give out
the TeXt of tho salty EpIstIe In
which the senator Calls For an
observation-disclosures senator, How
ever, DivuIges Most of Its Com
tents in Private Conversations.
The PrOngs of the PItchforIz
Driven Into the Hides of Several
south Carolina Politicians.
Washington, May Ex-senator Tillman,
the sensational knight OF the pitchfork
from South Carolina, may have to delay
his proposed investigation of his fellow
senator's who are accused of specializing
In sugar stocks to attend an investigation
Of his own methods in connection with the
dlspensary liquor system in the Palmetto
state.
For some time past the political oppo-
nents of Senator Tillman. in South Caro-
lima have directly and indirectly charged
all kinds of fraud and corruption in con-
nection with the administration of the no.
torious dispensary law. The state officers
in charge of the dispensary have been ac-
cused of violating the law, and the charge
Alab bctAA Altdut AiidN 1biiAS VI NAGm ndN0
connived with the whisky ring under con-
tracts to supply South Carolina with liquor
until the matter has become a state scan
dal.
Senator Tillman as the originator Of the
dispensary system owing to the fact that
Il was established while he was governor
of the state, has not escaped the charge Of
being implicated in some of the questiona-
Bile transactions growing out of the dis
pensary system.
The newspapers Of South Carolina have
bristled recently with personal commune
cations from Tlllmanites and anti-Tillman-
ties, charging and counter-charging all
kinds of scandal in connection with the
liquor traffic Of the state The Cuban guess
ton, and the tariff issue sank into insig-
nificance in South Carolina compared with
the dispensary scandel, and the climax has
Just been reached by Senator Tllman,
calling on Gov Ellerbee to institute rig
i'd investigation of the whole subject
A few days ago Senator Tllman wrote
a long letter to the governor framed in
language as vigorous and as characters
istic as he could command, abiding to the
dispensary scandals and suggesting an in
vectigation. The senator says he wants
all the facts brought out and he volun-
teers to appear before the Investigating
committee and tell all he knows about the
dispensary business.
Naturally Senator Tilman felt called
upon to use his pltchfork in composing his
letter to the governor, and the result Is
many Of his statements might be con-
strued TO reflect very harshly upon some
of his enemies In the state, including one
or more federal officials The letter was
written with the expectation that IL would
be published In the state press and per-
mission to that effect was authorized In
n foot note to The governor When the
letter reached Its destination the governor
concluded that Il was too tart In some
particulars to be given to the public, so
he refused to make IL public There was
considerable curiosity In the state to know
the contents of the senator's letter, but
all appeals to the governor we're In vain.
The senator did not hesitate to state the
substance Of the letter when questioned on
the subject and expressed great surprise
when Informed that the governor had de-
clined to publish the communication. To-
day the senator received a long letter from
the governor, explaining why he withheld
the original letter. In substance the gov
ernor stated that in his opinion It contain
ed certain statements and reflections con-
corning certain persons which might be
softened some what before being spread
have preferred to let the original text of
the letter stand as his sentiments, but In
defense to the suggestions OF Gov. Ellerbee
he has consented to tone down some OF
the lurid sentences and let 1t go at that.
An investigation Is sure 10 follow and
It Is said there will be some sensational
developments which may involve some OF
the prominent Palmetto politicians. IL IS
charged that the actual receipts from the
sale of liquor under the state dispensary
system have fallen several hundred thous-
and dollars below the estimates and the
insinuations are made that certain indi-
viduals have received large personal
profits from their connection with the
liquor business In the state.
Columbia, s. c., May 19.-rhe Columbia
Register, the Tiilmanite organ Of the
state, is out in an editorial to-day In which
II says: ITO keep the dispensary out OF
politics Is utterly impractical, and with
such a powerful engine under political
control the ends Of equity and law can az
any time be defeated by an INSCRIPTIONS
hand on the lever. This is the great dan
ger that Is threatening the people. II Is
folly TO attempt to conceal II and the Reg
lister. though "A supporter OF the system
per ge would be dereict In the light OF
recent developments n II did not state the
truth The system Is a source OF contin-
ual contention, suspicion and animated
verson that Is harmful 10 social CONCESSIONS
and Injurious TO the political welfare OF
the state"