Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-07-30

knowing whether or not they want to
be taxed. However, you know the gov
ernor of South Carolina cannot legis-
late. He is only there to execute the
law. We can do only what our oath OF
office will require us to do, and so far
as that oath Is concerned, I believe
every gentleman in this race will re-
gard 1t most sacredly.
AS If realizing that his time limit was
rapidly expiring, Colonel Tillman re-
memhered the newspaper he held In his
hand and continued:
am forced to make reference to some
newspaper attacks: that have been
made upon me. I have believed that
Ben Tillman was the worst blackguard-
ed man in South Carolina. [Colonel
Tillman paused. looked steadily at the
audience and continued: I am gain
ing ground on him every day. Laugh
ter and applause]. 'These attacks
hurt me but little" he said with snow
the anguish they carry to the hearts of
my wife and child and widowed moth
er. l do not propose to be drawn into
any hatched up difficulty by Ransy
Sniffies whose headquarters are in Co.
lumbia. He attempts to put others In
position to do things which he him
self is not man enough to do. Being
lieutenant governor Of South Carolina,
am an officer Of the law and under
solemn oath to keep the peace. AS has
been said to me by prominent men of
your town today, 1t would have been
unbecOming to me to have engaged In
street brawl. They know that my
hands are tied. Was not Promotheus
bound on a rock where vultures preyed
upon his vitals?
When 1 was situated differently. this
Cuban vulture-yes, dirty vulture-
that feeds on carrion! But I make no
boast Of my courage. It Is said that no
brave man ever did. Go to my home
where my people know me. and ask of
my reputation there am no fire-eater
and I have never aspired to be consid-
ed a bully. But this Cuban pony
Laughter and applause.] knows me,
He has not forgotten a certain circum-
stance in 1890, when because Senator
Tillman's hands were tied I extended
to him a cordial invitation to go to
Georgia with me. [Cheers]. The invi-
| tation was declined with thanks
Laughter and applausel.
Here Colonel Tillman turned to the
copy Of The State he had in his hand
anG expressed regret that he did not
have time to read and comment on the
editorial remarks it contained with ref
erence to himself. He read however
tine letters he had written to Editor
DeCamp of Crit and Steel" with ref
erence to the advertisement which Mr.
DeCamp had claimed had not been paid
for. and continued his comment.
Now, my fellow citizens, it would
have only been fair to me had this man
stated how that advertisement appear
ed in that paper. He says he never saw
the advertisement. Maybe he didn't.
believe he did. Anyhow 1t was signed
u. H. Tillman, Attorney" I was act
| ing as the attorney Of the distressed
widow Of a distinguished Confederate
soldier. But I have not the time to
comment further now. Perhaps there
will be a time and a place hereafter
more appropriate for a proper settle
ment.
I do not know why I am so hated
but suppose 1t is like Byron says, that
he who would rise to power by reason
| of his merit must be content to look
down upon the hatred of envious in
competents below.
Here Colonel Tillman was informed
| that his time limit had expired: and
he expressed regret that he was unable
to say other things he had in mind
There were cries from the audience OF
"Go on, and take all the time you
want" He replied mo; that would be
unfair to the others; but in conclusion
let me say 1 wish you good luck, good
husbands, good bye" and took his seat
amid cheers and applause.