The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-06-22

corpse He declared that he had
been the first man to advocate popu'
lar government Wetson's backbone
was as timber as the "peth" of :he
weeds. His opponents and the pol
Iiticians called him 3 crank aud he
retorted that they were fools
Mr.. Archer. Col. Schumpert and
Mr.. Featherstone spoke next, aud
were followed by Governor Ellerbe
..Now we are going to hear it, "
was the remark as the Governor came
forward. he said he had been elan
dered and misrepresented and he
challenged his opponents to prove
| one charge made against. his admin
istra.ion he welcomed criticism
that was honest. He had always 8
advocated the dispensary as the best
solution of the liquor problem When
Col Tillman said the dispensary had
not made any profits be misrepre
! sented the facts.
This ELECTED remark from Uncle
George Who said that he had great
respect for Governor Eilerbe per-
sonally, but when he in his message
10 the legislature said educational
syatem was without headship, with
out order and full Of reduplication
and followed that with the state.
ment that it's improvement was not
practicable. then he showed lack OF
backbone.
Governor Ellerbe combatted this
and called upon Col. Tillmsn to prove
his statement that some men got
their fertilizer without paying for the
tags. !,
Col. Tillman I'll show it beyond
a reasonable doubt from the facts, if
you'H let me speak
Governor EIlerbe replied that he
had no time to spare, but if the proof
was submitted he would retire from
the race
Then ensued almost indescribable
confnsion. Col Tillman was -en
deavoring to get in reply. with
the governor talking simultaneously.
Friends of both disputants crowded
up, metaphorically patting each game
chicken on the back and urging him
ON The governor refused to relin-
ou,sh the stand and turned towards
Col Watson
II was supreme moment, for the
Governor had to stand or fall accord
ing to his defence of the Saluda Sen
ator's merciless excoriation 10 his
credit be it said that he repelled his
accusations with vigor. | dare
Watson, said he, to furnish one scin.
tilla of proof that / ever made q
political deal. If bis baseless charge
were true I ought to be kicked out
Of Office, bat the man who robs an.
other Of his good name is worse than
the thief who steals his horse from
the locked stable. Aye. he is nn-
worthy the name Of man or gentle
man and is no gentleman
II is absolutely false that I went
into . contract with Charleston. ]
told them that whenever they gave
me, assurances that they would en
force the law I would remove the
metropolitan police | made that
statement publicly, but never prom.
ised any man that / would uncondi
tionally remove it
I bad more appointments than any
other governor had to make. but for
every friend made gained q dozen
enemies, yet some of these political
pirates have tried to misrepresent me
by saying that l traded appointments
for popularity. You may defeat me,
but no man under heaven shall mis-
represent me to the people. ! in
tend to run the government without
fear or favor and not according to the
dictates of bob tailed politicians.
The governors defence was round.
y applaudsd, and his speech ended
the meeting j. Wilson Gibbes in
Columbia Register.