The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-29
SOUTH CAROLINA'S TEST.


ant Governor James TiIlman.
Hartford Courant
When Jim Tillman thrust his pistol
against his enemy's side and pulled the
trigger, he was a murderer at heart and in
purpose; he is now murderer in very fact
and deed. Gonzales is dead
One of the witnesses, a state senator.
thinks he heard Tillman say II got your
message" or something like that, as the
shot was fired. In his signed statement to
the public Tillmsn says he was thoroughly
justified 1t is inferred that his version
will be that he had been put on notice"
(as they say by Gonzales; understood that
1t was to be a case of shooting at sight:
saw Gonzales's hand i'm his pocket, took it
for granted he was armed. and acted ac-
cordingly. 1t is known that Gonzales had
no weapon, and he said with the hand of
death on him that he had sent Tillman no
hostile message-no message of any sort
We entirely believe him.
He was a fine, brave gentleman-worth
whole State full of Jim Tillmans. The
son OF Cuban revolutionist he had given
proofs of his courage in the Cuban insur-
rectionary ranks. He was brave enough to
refuse to fight duel. When Tillman said,
last September, that he would resign the
lieutenant governorship If Gonzales would
=
guard or coward, the reply he got was this
THE editor of the State is not playing in a
melodrama, and has no taste for IL. In his
paper he has called Jim Tillman what he
was, and what, in public interest, it was
necessary to call him, and what he said
about him he has proved. If any grievance
exists 1t is not on the part of Mr.. Gonzales.
him full satisfaction" 1t is possible that,
but for the States deadly effective excoria-
ton of the candidate. the election might
hox cd ant rantl Ti,v,st
gerer and roisterer as he Is, might have
achieved the governorship 1t is suggested
that he may do ii yet-that this shooting
affair may help him rather than hurt him
South Carolina. fight is one thing; as
sassination, with the faint of cowardice on
it, is another.
His victim was not nearly so we'll off for
henchmen and boon companions as he is.
There was q strain of almost PuritanC
austerity in Gonzales. He was more re-
spected and feared than liked. Not infalli-
BILE in his judgments. not always moderate
in his language, he was as public-spirited
and sincere as outspoken. The editors OF
the Charleston News and Courier, with
whom his relations were strained in the
last years, made haste to testify to that
1--WE have not agreed often with his poll
cies." they said last Friday "but we have
| vOtion to what he conceived to be the best
| interests of the State. He has had the
courage of his convictions. he did not feal
1 10 De on the Ntdh anu iooiiit ciuc, anu iiis
| easy and graceful pen had behind 1t the
| force of a good conscience.
What will South Carolina do with his red
| handed slayer? We do not believe for
] moment that she will applaud Jim Till
| mans crime and reward IL with politica
preferment Will she punish the man who
went straight from the chair OF her Senat,
to his crime? Or will family influence ant
/ political influence get him off and derid'
| Justice? 1t is a test for South Carolina
and of one thing she can be perfectly sure
| the whole country will be looking on.