Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-08-07
TILLMAN SHOULD TELL
What Was the Sum Of the Whisky Re-
bates He Gave Away.

What Was the Sum of the Whisky Re-
bates He Gave Away.
Before Senator Tillman closes this
self-arranged tour Of South Carolina
In which he is fighting the graft-chas-
ers-the State and J. Fraser Lyon
attempting to keep poor people be-
nighted by opposing compulsory educa-
ton, and to continue South Cardinals
whisky sodden and ridden
condition by advocating the state dis
pensary. there is one bit Of interest
Ing Information he should give the
public. How many thousand dollars
belonging to the state Of South Caro-
lima did he give his friend, Hubbell,
the distiller?
At a time when the cry was "re-
trenchment and reform" at a time
when the reduction Of the poor little
salaries Of state officials was Tillman's
slogan in the campaign, at time
when the legislature devoted days upon
days to trimming off few dollars here
and a few dollars there, from the sala-
ries Of South Carolina officials-at that
time when reform" and economy"
were In the minds and mouths Of the
honest believers In Ben Tlllman, how
macy thousands Of dollars did he, Ben
Tiilrnan, without the consent Of the
legislature or knowledge of the tax
payers. take from the people and pour
into the pockets Of Hubbell?
We quote from his testimony before
the dispensary investigating commit
tee last February:
When / went out of Office we owed
that man (HubbelD, great amount
OF money. The state paid him after
wards. am glad to say. and redeem
ed my credit.
And did not the state also pay him
substantial interest on the great
amount of money" due on bills con-
tracted by Ben Tillman?
Continuing. Tifiman testified to Hub
bells having told him there were re-
bates coming to the state because his
company was a member of the whis-
ky trust. Then, according to himself,
Gov. Tillman-very liberal with South
Carolina's cash-answered:
''Well," said, II don't want any
dealings with rebates; you keep that
as bonus for the accommodation you
have given me In selling me liquor at
a fair price and assisting me in my
efforts to start the dispensary" That
Is what became OF the rebates.
Let there be no Misunderstanding
These rebates" were part Of the price
of liquor paid by South Carolina. The
whisky trust regularly made an over
charge and afterwards returned that
overcharge under the name Of ire
bates" So for the aid given him In
running his pet dispensary Tillman, be-
sides paying "a fair price,. gave his
whisky friend all rebates due South
Carolina In addition 1t is alleged that
liberal interest was also allowed Hub
bell.
Now, did Hubbell grant particular
concessions to the state Of South Car
olina? In q published statement, made
February IA, 1893, D. II. Traxier, re-
turning with Tillman from tour OF
western liquor houses, said:
There Is nothing in the story about
the governor being refused liquors un-
less some good security. was furnished.
On the contrary all the houses visited
were anxious to take their orders.
That statement was made before the
opening Of the dispensary and with
Gov. Tillman's approval. All the liquor
houses were anxious to get their or
ders without additional security. Then
why the extraordinary favoritism to
Hubbell?
But that is not all 1t was not
enough to- pay Hubbell "a fair price"
1t was not enough to pay interest on
open accounts, 1t was not enough to
present him with thousands Of dol
lars in rebates that belonged to the
state o. South Carolina, but Tillman,
according to admissions made when
under examination by Mr.. Lyon for the
successors in the liquor purchasing
business to purchase liquor from Hub
bell at a higher price than was bid by
other concerns.
In other words, Tillman asked that
man who had befriended him or
whom he says had befriended him, and
who had already been twice bonused
at the expense Of the state OF South
Carolina, should be given more for his
liquor than other dealers offered to sell
for under Identical conditions and spe-
cifications. What is the difference be-
tween the position of B. r. Tillman and
those members Of the board Of direc-
tors who purchased glass from the Car
olina Glass company at a higher rate
than glass was offered elsewhere? And
IL Hubbell Tillman's friend. was willing
to accept a higher price for his liquor
than other dealers did, wherein Is the
difference between his position and
that of the Carolina Glass company?
Will Ben Tillman, who on his inde-
pendent campaign, Is attacking every
man that dares oppose his views, plain
ly, clearly, without lodging or craw-
fishing, harmonize his DR.. Jekyll and
Mr.. Hyde positions.-Columbia State.
| LEATHER BREEcHEs.-A hundred
and fifty years ago the farm hands
and house servants Of England were