Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-14
"a Long Time Between Drinks"
11nnLsonuille FlnN Citizenl

| Jacksonville N'la) Citzeh)
Every man I'm the United States Is sup
! posed 10 know what the Governor Of
| North Carolina said 10 the Governor OF
| South Carolina" but perhaps some do
not know when and under what circum-
stances the famous remark was made.
Nearly century ago man prominent
I'm political affairs I'm North Carolina
! moved across the border and settled In
South Carolina. He had been there only
a short time when he committed some
I small crime for which he was indicted.
| To escape arrest he returned 10 his old
! home IN North Carolina. In due course
| Of time the Governor 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 10 grant the requishlon. A long
official correspondence followed. Promi-
nent men In South Carolina told the Gov
ernor that he had not been. treated with
proper official courtesy BY the Governor
of North Carolina. The result was that
the South Carolina Governor, accompa-
MED by large party OF friends and adj
visers. journeyed by stage 10 Raleigh for
conference with the Governor about the
matter OF giving Up the criminal Tho
Governor Of North Carolina, with largo
party Of distinguished 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 Wis
tors Before the object of his visit was
stated, the entire assemblage sat down
10 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, aud
the Governor OF South Carolina stated
the object OF his visit. lie demanded the
surrender of the fugitive criminal. The
Governor of North Carolina refused.
Then followed long and heated discus
sion, in which the Attorneys General 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 instant de-
mand and offended the dignity Of my
Office and my State. Unless you at once
surrender the prisoner. l will return 10
my capital. call out the militia Of tho
State. and. returning with my army will
take the fugitive by force OF arms, Cow
ernor, what do you sayT'
All eyes were turned on the Governor or
North Carolina. and his answer was
awaited with breathless interest. The
Governor rose slowly TO his feet, and
beckoned 10 a servant who stood some
distance away. His reckoning was firm
and dignifed as became his position. He
was slow about anSwering. and again
the Governor OF South Carolina de-
handed. What do you say?"
II say, Governor. that It's long time
between drinks"
The reply restored good humor. De-
canters and glasses were Brought out
again. and while the visitors remained. II
any one attempted TO refer 10 the diplo-
matte object OF the visit. he was cut
short by the remark that II 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 surrendereo.