The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-08-15
LETTER TO TILLMAN
FROM GEO. B. CROMER
he PROTESTS AGAINST INTRO
DUCTION OF FACTION.
Tiuraan is Charged With Shifting
Of Ground THE Duty of
Worthy State Leader.

Tie State
The following open Letter" 10 SEN
ator Tillman from Hon. Geo. B.
Cromer, OF Newberry, has been re-
ceived by the State for publication:
Hon. B. R. T;llman.
Dear Sir: I protest against the in
PRODUCTION OF the tom-tom and the
spirit OF faction into the movement
by which the merits OF the dlspen-
sarv are to be tested. The tom-tom
is the instrument OF the juggler and
factionalism is the resort Of the poll
tician. The people of this state have
the right TO expect something higher
and better from you. Your recent
letter to Mr.. Higgins was calm.
sane and judicial statement Of your
attitude on the dispensary question,
but for this very reason it was dis
tasteful in certain quarters, and you
were accused OF straddling. You gave
that letter out as an expression OF
your views. and. my name having
been kindly suggested by you. I was
asked 20 answer il in the New Voice.
7 declined 70 do so for the simple
reason that in this county we wish
to test the dispensary question on
its merits and. therefore, desire TO
exclude every possible phase Of
"TilITra:1;sIl2.
Shifting Of Ground.
IN the Higgins letter you recog-
nized the widespread and well-found-
ed belief that the dispensary is cor
rupt in its administration, and that
the present agitation is an expression
OF popular dissatisfaction. But in
your Edgeiield speech you shifted
your ground. and took the position
that the movement is political in sig
nificance and is a covert attack upon
you.
In the Higgins letter YOU said that
the remedy for the corruption rests
with the legislature: that in the last
legislature the friends and enemies
OF the dispensary got together and
did nothing but appoint committees:
that ever since you were governor
Won faave given advice and made sug-
gestions, but that your opinion has
had no weight with the legislature:
and that if the next legislature does
not apply the remedy, you will help
to xii! the dispensary.
In your Edgefield speech YOU said
that If the next Legislature does not
adopt certain suggestions :nat YOU in
tend to make. Il will help to elect
LEGISLATURE thar will. And you said
by implication at least. that you will
90 to the Performers" for that leg
islature.
appeal from Philip drunk to Phil
io sober-fron? the temper OF the
Edgefield speech to the tone Of the
Higgins letter. In Newberry there
is no disposition 20 make an attack
upon YOU under cover OF movement
against the d;spensary. 1t is not
political movement. II was begun
in an off year in order that it might
be test OF a great moral question,
unclouded by personal and political
considerations. 1t IS not move
ment OF the politicians. but move
nent Of the people. You have doubt
less noticed that The counties that
were strongly "Conscrvat;ve" are not
in the movement.
A Duty to South Carolina's Youth.
I do nor question your right to
take part in the discussion. lnde-
pendently OF the fact that You are the
author OF the system in this state.
It would be strange if YOU were to
remain silent. Bv virtue OF your high
office and OF your great influence 1t
is your duty to speak. but to speak
sanely and temperately as YOU did
in the Higgins letter. You owe
great deal to the youth OF this state.
vou owe them the best that you have
to give. When the dispensary was