The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-11-16

silence while the guest was approach
ing, INDUCED in wholly unjustided:
and, as distinguished Georgian
writes me, unprecedented criticism Of
this city.
"That Tillman, who has never
baked at the price of dinner when
paid for with the money Of taxpayers
should essay the role Of Ward Nc
Allister is grotesq1e. The man who
as a guest Of honor in Charleston
took the hide off, his hosts and then
rubbed in salt and gave Charles
tonians stomach-turning from
which they needed years to recover,
the man whose coarse speech when
making addresses by invitation has
brought the blood to the faces of
farmers wives and daughters in
South Carolina, the man whose pro-
family before women has shocked in
South Carolina and in Washington
this mans criticism, I say, of hospi-
tally and etiquette is grotesque. The
animus is revealed when Tillman, no.
torious for lack Of courtesy, lack of
refinement, and for general uncouth-
ness, and boastful Of his disregard
of the conventions, attempts to be
mentor of Columbia's manners.
"And when it comes to maintain
ing the good name of South Carolina,
for which he now essays to be jealous,
Tillman's s display Of an appetite for
getting something for nothing or
much for little, which had its incipi-
ent manifestation when he was gov
ernor in the cultivation Of private
oat crop at public expense, and its
latest development IN the Oregon
land affair, might be detailed as
startling Inconsistency between the
word and the Decd"
Senator Ti1man s. Letter.
The following is copy Of the let
ter sent Secretary Moorman by Sen
ator Tillman:
United States Senate.
Trenton, S. c., Oct. %, 1909.
Mr.. C. W. Moorman, Secretary
Chamber Commerce, Columbia, S C..
Dear Sr:-I have your letter Of
October %. I replied yesterday to
previous letter explaining the situa-
tion in regard to my acting on the
reception committee on November 6,
and 7 await your answer to that be-
fore deciding whether I will 60 to
Columbia at all or not.
As for attending the luncheon, l
received an invitation some days ago,
signed James A. Hoyt, to attend the
luncheon, accompanied with an invi-
tation to send a check for $40. This
may be new way of conducting en-
tertainments in South Carolina that
will find favor in the future, but it is
wholly contrary to all ideas of cour-
tesy and self-respecting hospitality
that I have ever heard Of in the State,
and I do not propose to lend any aid
or countenanee to it. If the city Of
Columbia is too poor to entertain the
president deeently it ought not to al
tempt it; if it wants to ask eonribu-
tions from outsiders, that is a differ
ent thing; if it wants outsiders to
bear the expenses and insiders enjoy
the glory, that is another thing. 1
have known Mr.. Taft very pleasantly
some eight or ten years, and I have
dined with him quite often, both as a
guest and as host, and I do not
feel like encouraging the departure
from South Cardinals reputation for
decency and hospitality which this
transaction involves. / did not re-
spond to Mr.. Hoyt's invitation, but
treated it with silent contempt. But
.aasmuch as you have asked the point
blank question, and it seems to be
the official scheme 70 ask men to
meet the president and have them pay
the expenses, tell you emphatically
No. 7 will not attend the luncheon.
Very respectfully,
(Signed) B. 4. Tlllman.