The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-01-18

State during my absence, and it seemed
to tie my hands; and (2) ! was inform
ed that Mr.. Featherst0ne had pledged
himself to general prohibition and
nothing but that, Il circumstance that
made me even more hopeless Of the
promotion of my local option plan
through him than through Governor
Ellerbe, because | was sure Mr.. Feath-
erstone would do what he said. and
WAS not sure that Governor Ellerbc
would.
That afternoon, September s. when
went 10 the Stntc Office | found note
on my table from the cashier stating
that NJ. Weston and Col. Neal had
been to the office to see me and, failing
10 do SO, asked me to be sure and meet
them that night ut Mr.. West0n's bank
office. kept the appointment.
We talked for nearly an hour on diff
ferent topics At last Col. Neal said to
me, slapping his knee:
"Well. let's come down now to buSi-
ness. Nearly every paper in the State
is jumpingnn the Governor; he's pretty
badly worried, and is very anxious for
You tn help him out. Can't you do it?"
I replied that had told Governor
Ellerbe all along that | would not
support him for denomination If he
stuck to the dispensary, and he had
stuck to it.
MIR. Weston said: "'rhe simple fact
of the matter is that the Governor
feels he is obliged to have the support
of the State. and we have asked You
here to find ont on what conditions you
will support him"
Without hesitation and on the spur
of the moment, replied: eff he will
pledge himself to me itlwriting to urge
the Legislature to pass II local option
law, allowing each county to decide
for itself between high license. prohi
bition aud the dispensary, | will sup
port him" This idea had been with
me for IL wear: it had been the object of
all my etfDrt during the previous fill
and winter, and it came spontaneously
to my lips. did not stop to consider
| the price might have to pay in public
misunderstanding of my motives it he
should accept my terms.
MIR. Weston looked at Col. Neal and
then said: 81 don't think there will be
much trouble about that. do You, Colo
nel9" and Col. Neal replied, to me: 81
think hell do it easy enough; he's got
to do it ii you insist"
MIR. Weston then asked me If verb
al assurance would satisfy me. / told
him no; there had been too much
question about Ellerbe's verbal asSllr-
ances already; | must have it in black
and white for my own prOtecti0n-bnt
he could tell the Governor that would
not show the pledge to anybody unless
he failed To observe it. in which case
would. Then MIR. Weston asked
"Woul,l You object to having the letter
addressed to meg am going to
Charleston to try and help the Govern
or down there, and | would like tO he
able to show it to some of the poll
ticians." answered that would not
object tn that, but that after he had
used it. in Charleston | must have the
custody of the paper.
The conference broke up with the
assurance that they would see the
Governor next day and bring me his
answer.
The next day, Friday, September 8.
Mr.. Weston came to my room and
handed me an envelope bearing the fa-
niliar engraved lettering, Estate of
South Carolina, Executive Chamber,
Columbia" and addressed: ..Mr. F. II:
VeSUDIl, Ss3 CloOhhA'
Opening it, read:
State of South Carolina, Executive
Chamber, Columbia, s. e.. September
8. 1898. C0nti,lental-Dear Frank: In
reply to your inquiry will say fully
concur in your view lis to the best sOln-
tion of the liquor question. After
mingling with the people for three
months and thorough consideration.
have come to the conclusion that the
Dispens;lry Act should be so amended
40 az To allow each county tD settle the
liuuor question for itself, and have de-
terminet to make such recOmmenta-
ti0n to the next General Assembly.
Your friend, w. II. ELLEKBE.
To Mr.. f. H. Weston.
Ali of this. except the printed cap
tiOn and date line, was in Governor
Ellerbe's handwriting. The date was
wrOng-Ope day behind. Ii was not as
precise a pledge as | would have die
tate,l, but whateverof vag,leness there
might be in the phrase. "Allow each
county to settle the liquor question for
ITSELF" was offset by the initial state
ment, 81 fully concur in your view as
to the best solution of the liquor qlles-
tom knew. and it was Il matter nf
public knowledge and record. that MIR.
West0ll's view was the same as my
own; that he favored county choice be.
tween the dispcnsary, high license and
prohibition. While did not have any
confidence in Governor Ellerbe'S SIM
pie word, did not believe ne would
alare to incur the obloquy of exposure
for violating this pledge, and Thought
had him fast. AS Mr. Weston WAS
going that afternoon to Charleston.
and wished to use the original to Sc
cure votes for the Governor there. |
took a copy of the letter. ON his prom
ise to hand me the original on his re-
turn. He did return it. and | have
kept it in my pocket most of the time
since. | must confess that the Gov
ernor's prompt compliance with my
ultimatlm WAS not altogether gr;ltlty-
ing, for had Thought the matter over.
and concluded that to carry our my
part nf the ng~erment would subject
me to much crl .Icism AMI rerinl,s, sils-
piciun Ot my motives. ami that would
have to withhold my Justification uutll
the Legislature met. Ol this account
half regretted my impnlSivcncSs.
which had entailrtl upon me a severe
ordeal. But the thing was done, and |
went to work in good faith to carry
out my part of the compact having
the satisfaction of feeling that had
acted wholly for the public good: The
next morning the State contained IL
sigur,l editorial nrging high license
voters to support Elcrhc, AMI cacl,
day. until the election. the paper, dll
its best for him. 1T it changed ~