The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-12-01
Carroll Interviews ElIerbe.
Rev. Carroll's Report of Gov
ernor's Interview.


Presidents, governors and other digni-
taries to ask for favors, but few days
ago mustered up enough courage to
call on Governor Ellerbe. I wrote
him letter some days ago about the
reformatory for juvenile criminals, and
urged him to remember the youthful
negro aud other criminals 10 his mes
sage to the legislature did not ex.
pect an answer to my letter, but his
private secretary wrote me that when I
returned to the CITY his excellency
would be pleased to talk With me on
the subject-master of my letter
"Unole William Rose" the veteran
of three wars, conducted me ioto the
Office The governor offered me his
hand and pointed out chair. Il had
no idea you were such young man"
he aaid. l told him what my mission
was Immediately. He said be had
been tbiHkiog about reformatory.
and the movement had bis sympathy,
but there was no money 90 hand and
that the State was in debt. We talked
freely for more than a half hour. and
| felt like I was talking with high.
toned, Christian minister of the gospel
instead of the governor of South Caro-
lina. He did not try to impress ne
with his importance and high Office.
bns that he was man, Christian
that could bear the in6rmisles Of the
weak.
he treats one as all real great men
do. He is tall, slender, delicate. with
grave couotenance. narrow chest and a
long neck. His lips. nose and face
and eyes show that be has large
amount of will power and well.balanc-
ed mind in his head, but be impressed
me as having 10 the left side of his
chest sympathetic and goedly heart
that had been 'schanged from nature to
grace"
When / spake Of the fidelity of the
old negro to their white owners before
and during the var, his eyes sparkled
and tear was seen in each corner of
his eyes. He got out of his chair and
walked to the fireplace, looked down
and then looked straight at me and
said, eyes. aud have no better friends
than the negroes on my farm, and [
have been a friend to them | have
always helped them to get up 10 the
world. The young generation of the
negroes should have heart culture along
With head and hands and they will be
great people; they need moral aud re-
ligious training and they should have
it I"
told him that the colored people
we're the best suited as laborers 70. this
section of the country, and that the
white people should accord TO them jus
tice aod help to make better citizens
and more intelligent laborers Of them.
He said yes He talked freely until |
told him that I was the negro that had
several interviews With Senator Till
mao, and after that he would simply
nod or bow his head to my questions.
told him that the colored people
could have defeated Governor Tillmau
in 1890 if they had voted the Straight
oas ticket, but Governor Tillman prom
ised to be the governor Of all the people
and put down lynching. The governor
nodded his head l continued "Aud
you know white men, Straightouts,
would have protected them at the polls
and had their votes counted" He
nodded again. II believe, governor,
you are willing to give my people JUS
tice, bot yoa nor 20 other white mao
can do that now public sentiment 10
the State will have to be educated liz
tie more'-nodded again.
"Governor, have message a col
ored Baptist preacher. Rev. j. Il.
Posey. gave me for you. Rev. Mr..
Posey said you sent circular letter to
all the white preachers in the State.
asking them questions about the dis.
pensary, etc., aud that be looked for
his circular aud none had come, and if
all the colored preachers 10 the State
we're served as he was : it was probable
that you did not know that there was
large numbcr of colored preachers 10
the State that look to you as governor,
aud that as the negroes drank most Of
the wbiskey, he thought the ministry Of
that race should have been consulted" !"
The cove or could hold his peace no
long,. e laughed heartily, bu: said
nothing.
When he vas talking about the dis
pensary his face colored little wheu be
said 81 will 60 homt and plough the
balance of my life before I would
give up to - | cant afford
to tell it all.
South Carolina has had some very
notable aud able men in the executive
mansion, but | do cot believe
~ 4