The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-06-22
The Spat Between Col. Watson and
Governor Ellerbe at St. Georges.

"Col. Watson said it was an un-
precedentea thing that there we!e
seven candidates for the office OF
Governor. Ellerbe had been backed
by a United States Senator and a
Governor and got the largest vote
ever given to candidate for Gov
ernor. Why, then was he Opposed?
Col. Watson then proceeded to at
tack in the plainest words Governor
Ellerbe's record. The reason for
the opposition to him was patent
Before he bad been in office a year
he was heartily despised. Ellerbes S
friends were ashamed Of him and his
enemies were Disguised with him.
He has been untrue to his friends
and unfair to his enemies. He has
sought by patronage to buy bis
enemies and has never remembered
his friends. But for his connection
with the reform faction be never
would have been heard Of.
He was elected with a promise
that he would remove the metropoli-
tan police from Charleston. He de-
layed its removal for one master,
removed it for another and received
the just contempt of those who
elected him.
I believe it was trade when he
appointed Epton as Comptroller Gen
eral. The Legislature rebuked him.
In all his appointments it is believed
he has traded from first to last. If
he had been content to be W. II.
Ellerbe and had not condescended
to political trickstering, we would
not be here today to oppose him.
Col. Watson eloquently commended
the gallant officers at the head OF
South Cardinals volunteer troops,
but, said he, to help himself Cover
nor Ellerbe ignored all the colonels,
the Confederate veterans and sons Of
veterans in his appointments. He
appointed only one officer from his
own faction to a high office, and that
man could not drill squad. I do
not know but one man in my county
who will vote for him, and that one
says it is because Ellerbe is going to
pardon a man sentenced to be hang
ed. Gentlemen, you may go all over
the State and you will find concen.
sus of opinion that he is an utter
failure"
s.Now we are going to hear it,"
was the remark as Governor Ellerbe
came forward. He said he had been
slandered and misrepresented and
he challenged his opponents to prove
one charge made against his admin
istration. He welcomed criticism
that was honest. He b; id always
advocated the dispensary as the best
solution of theliquor problem. When
Col. Tillman said the dispensary had
not made any profit he misrepre-
sented the facts.
This elected remark from Uncle
George who said that he had great
respect for Governor Ellerbe, per-
sonally, but when he in his message
to the legislature said educational
system was without headsbip, with
out order and full Of reduplication
and followed that with the statement
that it's improvement was not practi-
cable, then he showed lack of back
bone.
Gov. Ellerbe combatted this and
called upon Col. Tillman to prove his
statement that some men got their
fertilizer without paying for the tags.
Col. Tillman: Ill show it beyond
a reasonable doubt from the facts, if
you'll let me speak.
Governor EIlerbe replied that he
had no time to spare, but if the
proof was submitted be would retire
from the race.
Then ensued almost indescrible
confusion. Col. Tillman was en-
deavoriny to get i'll reply, with the
Governor talking simultaneously.
Friends of both disputauts crowded
up, metaphorically pattins each game
chicken on the back and ulgiug him
on. Tne Governor refused to re-
linquish the stand aud turned to-
,ror1 Cl ITofcon