The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-08-15
Tillman au,l Smith Make Reply to Eu-
qu risls Of Congressman Aiken.
A. VERY SMALL MATTER

the Se ators Said Congressman
johnson. Had More Sense than all
the Othr South Carolina Congress
men Pit Together.
Represe ntative Wyatt Aiken, of
South Carolina, has given out the
correspon ence which resulted from
his person lily conducted investigation
concernin:; q statement reported to
have been made recently by Governor
Blease in q speech at Spartanburg,
for which the Governor gave as his
authority a United States Senator.
The statement, as reported, was
that a Un ted States Senator told him
(Governos Blease) that Congressman
Joseph T. Johnson chad more sense
than all the other South Carolina
Congressl len put together" which,
the Governor is reported as having
said, confirmed his own judgment.
Repres ntative Aiken, in an effort
to End out what Senator was respon-
sible for be remark quoted by Gov
ernor Blt ase addressed on July 7th
this note % Senator Tillman, also en-
closing ne wspaper clipping of Govern
or's Blea'e e's reported statement:
''Surel. Senator Tillman did not
say this. (Signed) Wyatt Aiken"
A simi ar note and clipping were
sent to s:enator Smith, from whom
no reply vas received.
Senatoi Tillman replied as follows:
Trenton, S. c., July 10, 1911.
Hon. Wyatt Aiken, House of Repre-
sentative, Washington, D. C.-Dear
Wyatt: have received the enclosed
which 81 saks for itself. I do not
know from what paper you took the
clipping, nor even do 7 understand
who was speaking. But that does
not matt t.r. I have never said that
Joe John ION had more sense than all
the cthe' Congressman from South
Carolina, for it would not be true.
He is net naturally brighter, If as
bright, as several of our Represen-
tatiyes. I have complimented him on
his indus :ry and persistency in work
ing for Is constituents. That is ALL
] am surprised that You appear so
thin-skin ned, and the hot weather
must be getting in its work on your
brain, for heretofore I have never
found 70 very sensitive or willing to
fly Of like this. ! hope you will
soon be well again and will settle
down ar d resume the even tenor of
your wa.
"Have just returned from Orange
burg, where had a delightful time.
All the People there seem to !be
Tillmani es now. Very sincerely
yours, (Signed) B. R. Tillman."
The following letter was sent to
Senator Smith by Mr.. Aiken on the
3rd of August, 1911:
House of Representatives, Wash
!ngton, >. c., August 8, 1s11.-Dear
Senator: Not long since when Gov.
Blease spoke at Sparoanburg, the
newspap ,rs state that When Con-
gressma,l. Joseph T. Johnson came
upon tt 3 rostrum he said that e
United tates Senator had told him
that MI. Johnson had more sense
t.an al the other South Carolina
Congress ymen put together, and this,
he said, confirmed his own judgment.
'sWhi I ann nog thin-skinned at
all, I felt that it was nothing but
fair to ,u and to Senator Tillman to
inquire the above report emanated
from cit Ter of you gentlemen. Sena-
tor Tillr an promptly replied denying
the stat ment so far as he was con-
cerned e nd stated further that he did
not belicve the Governors assertion
to be true.
"Abort that time I also sent the
clipping to you pinned to seperate
sheet OF paper something like this:
Surely Senator Smith did not say
this al d signed my name. I have
heard nothing from you, and think
ing peri aps you did not receive the
clipping and note I have concluded
to write you again and ask that you
tell me whether or not you made
such a remark to the Governor.
"Witi. regards. your very sincere
" (Signed) Wyatt Aiken.
The ollowing reply was sent to
Roprese native Aiken by Senator
Smith:
"Was aington, D. c., August 10th,
1911. Hon Wyatt Aiken, House Of
Represe ntatives, Washington, D. c.,
Dear Aiken: On account Of illness at
home aud, having just returned to
the city this is my first opportunity
of repl. ing to your letter of recent
date.
"In reply I beg to say that I re-
.membe~, in the course Of casual
convers ltion with the Governor, on
the cars, Of speaking complimentary
of Cons -assman Johnson. Just What
languate l used I do not recall.
II dill not receive your newspaper
clipping, your letter being the only
commu lication / had from you on
the sui iect.
"Witl kindest regards, I am, very
sincerely yours,
(Sig ed) "E. D. Smith"
Afte" receiving the above reply
from Senator Smith, Representative
Aiken i.ad the following to say:
,fcr6 + h q q