The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-01-18
Gonzales Us. EiIerbe.

4HeTS appeared an 6QltUgis5ts OtSI saC
sienatare Of N. G Go6zaJes, chsrg.
ina Gov Elerbe with dupiicity and
downright lying The ellitorial nat
Surasly created sensation and has
been the talk Of the State. The
editorial begins By recital OF the
efforts made BY Mr. Gonzales to
secure .he enactment Of high
license Iocs, option law, and the
promises Of assistance made and
bsokeH By Gov. EIlerbe during his
6fut year ia Office. Then the story
OF the deal made in the last cam :.
ra;gn Is related as follows
ssThat afternoon, September 8.
.waen went 10 the State Office, I
found = note Oh my table from the
cashier stating that Mr. Weston and
Col. Neal had been to the Office to
SEQ me and, failing 80 do SO, asked
me to be sure to meet them that
nighs at Mr. Westcn's bank Office
kept tie engagement. We talked
for nearly an hour on different mat
sersi. At last Col Neal said to me,
Shaping he knee. y ell. let's come
down now II business Nearly every
paper IN the State is jumping on the
gosernor, he's pretty badly worried.
and Is very anxious for you to help
him oat. Can't yon do il 2 / re-
Piled shse I had told Gov. Mlefbe all
along chat I would not support him
for reuominstion If he stuck to the
diapensary. and he had stuck to it..
Mr. Weston said The simple fact
pf the matter is that the governor
feels he Id obliged to have the sup
port Of the State. and we have asked
you to find ont on what conditions
you viii support him. Without
hesitation, and on the spur of the
moment, replied IF 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
license, prohibition and the dispen-
sary, I viii support him This idea
has been with me for year it had
been the object of ali my efforts the
previous fail and winter, and it came
spontaneously TO my lips did not
stop 20 consider the price / might
have 10 pay in public misunderstood
!ng Of my motives If he should accept
mY terms. Mr. Weston looked at
Col. Neal and then said ]: 4 don't
think there will be much trouble
abous chat do you. colonel p and
Col Neal replied TO me 4 think
hen do iteasy enough, he's got to do
il If you insiss Mr. Weston then
asked me If q verbal assurance would
satisfy me / told him no, there had
been too much question sbcut Eller-
be,s verbal assurances already !; |
mast have It In black and white, for
ny swn protection, but he could tell
the governor that / would net show
the pie ige to anybody unIess he
iiied to observe it. in which case /
would. When Dir Weston asked I:
Would you object to having the
lester addressed to me / am going
TO Charleston to try and help the
governor down there, and would
ike to be able to show it to some of
the politicians ] answered that I
would not object to that, but that
after he had used it 10 Charleston l
mast have the custody of the paper
..The conference broke up with
their assurance that they would see
the governor next day and bring me
his answer. The next day, Friday.
September 9. Mr. Weston came to
my room and handed me an envelope
bearing the familiar engraved letter
ing State of South Caroline, Execu
tive Chamber. Columbia and ad-
dressed, .Mr. F. 81 Westop, Colum.
bis. 8 C. (personaD' opening, I
yead
g State of South Carolina. Execu.
tive Chamber, Columbia. s. G., Sep
seraber s. Confidential. - Dear
Frank In reply to your inquiry will
say / fully concur in your view as
to the best solution of the liquor
question After miugling with the
people for three months and thorough
consideration. have come to the
conclusion that the dispenssry act
should be amended SO as to allow
each county to settle the liquor ques.
.ior, for itself, and have determined
10 make such recommendation to the
next general assembly.
sYour friend,
n.W. a. Ellerbe