The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1909-01-07
TILLMAN'S POOR SPEECH
TEACHERS DISPLEASED WITH
HIS REMARKS.
His Sarcastic References to Rev Dr..
Weltner and His Attack on Prof.
Claxton Not Relished.

Many teachers who attended the
State association last week were not
entirely pleased with the speech"
made by Senator B. r. Tillman Fri-
day night. In view of the fact that he
had spent much Of the spring and
summer in Europe, it had been ex-
pected that he would give the teach.
ers the benefit of his observations,
upon the public school systems OF
European countries. The invitation
to him might not have been so word.
ed, but certainly it was the intention
of the central committee to have him
speak on such a line Of thought.
However, in his own language, he
merely "rambled," having no prepar.
ed address. This was the one fea-
ture of discord in the several enjoy:
able meetings and some Of the teach~
ers expressed themselves quite plains:
ly. ~
81 was so much disappointed, =
said a prominent teacher yesterday
afternoon. eve had expected to b4.
given facts, comments and sugges-.
tions to aid US in our constructive
work. Instead of that, our invited;
speaker proceeded to criticise anoth.
er invited speaker, who had left the.
city and could not be present to join
debate with Senator Tillman.
81 refer to his attack on Mr.. p. p.
Claxton, who after presiding for sey.5
eral days over the Southern Educa>,
tional Association, at Atlanta, had
travelled all night to be in Columbus
and address the teachers of South
Carolina. The thought Of Prof. Clax-5
toms address was constructive. He.
sought first to arouse and then to ems
courage. Then came Senator Ttl-
man few hours afterward and tried
to tear down the, work which earnest
and honest teachers have been trying
to build up through months OF effort,
Had Senator Tillman such views
why did he not challenge Prof. Clax-g
toms argument when the latter was
In the city to answer for them
Admitting the right Of Senator
Tiliman to speak upon any sub1ects
many of the teachers were neverthes
less disappointed that he should not
have taken time to prepare for them
a thoughtful paper on some suDject
which would have been, more helpful
to the schools.
s:I remember it was this same way
at Clemson College when he address,
ed the teachers once before, this
teacher continued. Senator Tillmana
seemed to regard lightly the power
of appreciation of the teachers OF
South Carolina and merely 'rambleds
instead of taking the time to prepare
an address. It is related that OF
Winthrop College few years ago hae
offended great many people ~
practically sighting the invitation 20
deliver the annual oration.
Some of the teachers were particu-s
larly displeased because Of unktnd
references made by Senator TillmAn
to Rev. G. E. Weltner, D. D. Thta
blind preacher is man of such soul
and of such brain that If he wished
he could occupy the choice OF pulpits
of the Lutheran church In the South.
But he has given his heart and soul.
to the work Of enlightentng and els
waiting the people in the Olympia milt'
community, and he has done a work
for education and for humanity
which will continue to be productive
of good fruit for many, many years.
Senator Tillman's sarcastic refer
ences to some of Mr.. Weltner's viewa.
caused resentment among those who.
know of the life, of self-sacrifice, and
of pious devotion to the cause OF the
people.-Columbia State.