The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-04-10
SENATOR T|llMAN At HOME.
"A NIGHT AT THE FIRESIDE OF
FARMER BEN.
Wielder OF the Famous PitchfOrk
Leads the SIMPLE Life OF a Quiet
Farmer at His Home Near Trenton
Regarded the Crum Fight as a
FOrlorn Hope at First.

says the Charlotte Observer. 1t Is
very delightful because of its sim
plicity. The guest during his stay Is
made to feel that he Is one Of the
family. and 80 he Is not wearied by
conventionalities nor oppressed by
too many polite attentions. He is left
free to follow his own inclinations. II
he wants to, he is at liberty to walk
about the beautiful plantation or
stroll out into the front yard. where
flowers and shrul,bery are beginning
to burgeon beneath the warmth of
the spring sun. or 60 to the nearby
village. sit and read In the senator's
well-fiiled library. where he will al
ways find some choice books to his
liking.
When at home from Washington,
especially at this season OF the year.
Senator Tillman is very busy man.
and ones only chance Of interviewing
him IL to spend night under his hos
pitable roof. This IL what the writer
did at his suggestion. Both he and
Mrs. Tillman made the visit a very
pleasant one.
The night was quite cool, and be-
fore a cheerful log fire that made the
shadows dance on. the walls Of the
roomy library, we sat till rather late
in the night and conversed about va
rious things. the lady Of tie house.
busy with her needle. occasionally
taking part. for she and the guest
listened more than they talked. as
the senator had the noor most Of the
time. Many subjects were introduced
ana dtscusssd. ~ The verdict in !. the
Cooper trial. the fight in the senate
against Crum's nomination. Mr.. Taft
as president and his friendly attitude
towards the South. the recalcitrant
Democrats OF the lower house of
congress. Mr.. Tillman's trip abroad
last summer. the servant question and
the growing untrustworthiness Of the
negro as IaDOrer.
When asked what he thought Of
the verdict Of the jury in the Cooper
case. Senator Tillman said 1t was
more than he expected. as he felt al
most convinced that 1t would end In
mistriai. 1t seemed to him from
the evidence that the killing of Sen
ator Carmack was deliberately
planned assassination. and that Sharp,
although escaping through lack Of
evidence. had knowledge of the con-
spiracy against Carmack's life. He
spoke In high terms Of Senator Car
mack. regarding him as one Of the
South's ablest and most brilliant lead
ers and. above all. q fighter. Flight
ers." said Senator Tillman. "are need
ed by the Democratic party at Wash
ington." which was an intimation that
he regretted Mr.. Carmack's enforced
retirement from the senate.
AS In the fight against Crum Sem
ator Tillman said he went into II at
first with misgivings. regarding II as
a "forlorn hope" He got no en-
couragement from any Of the Demo-
cratic Senators. except Senator Nc
Laurin, OF Mississippi. who promised
| to stand by him and did help in ev-
| cry way possible. On the contrary his
fellow Democrats gave cold comfort
to the undertaking. saying that II was
useless to make the fight, but he per-
sisted. and at last when the tide Of
sentiment began to turn they all rush.
ed forward bravely to his assistance
Senator Tillman seemed to think
President Taft will come nearer be-
| ing President of the whole country
than any occupant Of the White
House since the war. He regards
him as q man of large and liberal
views. one who will carry out his poll
| icy I'm the matter of appointments in
the South. but the Senator expressed
| no opinion as to what effect II would
II
south. That question was not ask
| eG
| Respecting the Democratic MEM
bers OF the House who failed to line
| up with their fellow members by
Joining the Insurgent Republicans to
down Cannoism. when they had the
opportunity given. Senator Tillman
expressed himself i'm strong terms
He said they were traitors to their
party's platform and ought to besread
out of the party.
scription of his trip abroad. the coun-
tries and places of interest he visit
ed, with shrewd comments on the