The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-17

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hos pretty badly worried and is very
anxious for YOU to help him out.
Can't You do itY
replied that lad told Governor
El.erbe all ulong that ould not sup
port HIM for denomination if he stuck
to the disrensary, and he had stuck
to it.
Mr.. Waston said: "The simple
fact of the matter is that the Cover
nor feels he is obliged to have the
support of The State, and wo have
asked you here to find out OH what
conditions you will support him."
Without hesitation and on the spur
Of the moment 1 replied eff he will
pledge himself to me in writing to
urge the Legislature to pass local
option law, allowing each county to
decide for itself between high Ii.
sense, prohibition and the dispensary,
I will support him" This idea had
been with mo for year; it had been
the object Of my effort the previous
fall and winter, and it came spontan-
eonsly to my lips. l did not stop to
conside: tho prico I might have to
pay in public misunderstanding of
my motives if he should accept my
terms.
Mr.. Weston looked at Colonel Neal
and thcn said: 81 don't think there
will be much trouble about that; do
you, ColonclY" And Colonel Neal
replied, TO me: "I think hell do it
easy enough; he's got to do it if you
insist"
Mr.. Weston then asked mo If
verbal assurance would satisfy me.
| told him nc; there had been too
much question about Elierbe's YER
bal assurance already; 1 must have
it in black and white for my own
prot toct ion-but he could tell the
governor that would not show the
pledge to anybody unless ho failed to
observe it, in which case | would.
Tnen Mr.. Weston asked: "Would
you Object TO having the letter adj
dressed to meY l am going to Char
lesion to try and help the governor
down there and I would like to be
able to show it to some Of thu politi-
clans" l answered that | would not
object to that, but that after he had
used it in Charleston I must have
the custody Of the paper.
The conference broke up with
their assurance that they would sec
the governor next day and bring me
his answer.
) Tho next day, Friday, September
t. 8, Mr.. Weston came to my room anG
handed me- an envelope bearing the
+ f..millar engraved lettering, estate o
South Carolina. Executime Cham
ber, Columbia" and addressed: "Mr
o L. II. Weston, Columbia, S. G., Per
k sonal." Opening it | read:
/ STATE OF SOUTH CARoL1NA,
+ EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
: Columbia, S. g., Sept. 8, 1893.
CONFIDENTIAL.
J.. Dear Franklin reply to your in
!. quiry, will say, fully concur in you
n view as to the best solution Of the Ii
IS quor question. After mingling wit
@ the people for throe months an
4 thorough consideration | have co.
!. to the conclusion that the dispensar
|. act should bs amended SO rs to allo'
d each country TO settle tue liquc
J. question for itself, and have de
nj t,rmined to make such recon
% mendation to tho next general az
r. sembly.
10 Your friend,
a. W. II. ELLERDE.
n 10 Mr. w. H. Watson.
Il. All OF this except the printed caI
r. ton and date liue Vas in Governt
re Ellcrbn's handwriting. The da
~ was wrong--one day behind.
an twas not as precise Il pledge rs
se would have dictated, but whatever
Id vaguenoss there might be in Il
re phrase "allow each county to sett
the liquor quoa.ion for itself' W
Offset by theinitial,statement, 81 ful
8, concur in your view as to tho bt