Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1899-05-10
Tillman at Florence.


was rendered Senator Tillman last
night at the Central hotel by the
business men of Florence, which
was in every way a very pleasant
affair, and has very likely resulted
in the establishment of cordial
relations between the citizens OF
Florence and the senior Senator.
It is true that Senator Tlll1nan
did not come to Florence by an
invitation from our business men,
neither did he come here on official
business, but be came as plain
Farmer Ben Tillman, to inquire
into the culture and curing of
tobacco, inasmuch as be has
launched into the tobacco industry
and expects in the near future to
be a tobacco farmer, ss well as
United States senator.
At the reception last night very
nearly every business man in the
city was presnnt'to extend to our
senior senator a social welcome.
The senator arrived at the hotel
about $50, and for half an hour
he met and shook hands for the
first time with Florentines. About
| 10 o'clock the doors of the dining
room were thrown open and the
entire party happily seated around
the banquet table.
Before leaving the table MIR.
w. A. Brunson, a member of the
Florence par, called upon Senator
Tillman to make an address, and
he responded in part as follows
me here today and tonight by the
business men and citizens of
Florence is as much of a surprise
az it is matter of qualification.
Things have not always been thus,
and I am pleased to know that the
people of Florence are ready to for
get past differences, as [ have
done. Some Of the people OF
Florence did not want me to be
senator, but I got enough votes to
give me the title, and since [ have
been senator l have tried to be q
representative of the whole State OF
South Carolina, and sink all
factional interests that existed in
the best interest of my State.
81 came to Florence to Learn
about growing tobacco from the
people who had given to this crop
its start in the State. I find the
farmers here well posted, and |
want to learn from them, as they
have had the experience. The day
oficotton has nearly passed, and |
and my neigh bors N Edgefeld are
seeking other fields OF enterprise
on the farm, and I think our future
is to be found in tobacco. believe
that they can Ky avoiding the
mistakes that have been made and
overcome by the farmers in
florence, make a success of the
culture of tobacco IN our section,
for believe we have lands which
are superior to yours for tobacco
planting"
The senator spoke of his cordial
reception in Charleston and other
places in the State recently and
Sc emed to appreciate the good
feeling that now exists apparently
between him and the citizens of
the State. He also spoke of his
work in the national capital and
how he had been visiting through
out the States of the Union, and
what be thought of the future of
the democratic party.
w. F. Clayton, IN reply to Sena-
tor Tillman, expressed the pleasure
of Florentines in having him with
us, and hoped that he would learn
all about tobacco, 60 home and
make a splendid crop and ship it
to Florence to be sold on the floors
of the Florence ware houses.
To this Senator Tillman replied:
"Florence should be great market.
She has the geographical position,
the railroads, and if Florence will
pay Just little bit more for tobacco
than any other market he and
every other tobacco farmer would
send their weed to this place for
market
Mayor Day and P. A. Wilcox
also made interesting talks
along the same line.
Senator Tillman was given drive
through severae of the largest to-
bacco farms in tie county and then
carried to Rogers's bridge, on Black
creek, near which place the first
seed Of tobacco was planted in
in Florence county, and entertain
ed at a first class fish dinner.
ct T;1ln,o, rof,r,,o1 to tho