Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-27

In this situation, replying to letter
from Mr.. Harrison Ferguson Of Spar
tanburg, Senator Tillman wrote a let
ter about Governor Blease in which he
used the "eminently qualified" phrase,
and went on to skin the governor to
the limit. There was the usual caution
about the letter being confidential and
not to be made public in whole or in
part. AS to how much sincerity there
was In that, there Is no room for diff
ference Of opinion. Anyone might have
known that If Mr.. Ferguson was q
Blease man, he would give out the
eminently qualified part He could not
help It. But there is every evidence that
the senator and his friends were keep
ing their ears strained for echoes and
after the publication in last wednes-
days Spartanburg Herald there was
nothing to do but wait for the close of
the campaign and the sending out of
the last issues Of the weeklies. Then
last Friday night Senator Tillman gave
out the letter himself from Washington
with an explanatory interview just as
had no doubt been planned all along.
The interview" and letter follow:
The Interview.
Here Is the interview given out by
Mr.. Tillman:
Il have said repeatedly that I was
hands off in the race for COVE Tnor In
South Carolina. and have tried faith
fully to remain neutral to the end, but
circumstances and conditions have
compelled me to change my purpose.
After the Sims letter was published
was deluged with kilograms and letters,
Doth OF protest and importantly from
my old friends, or men who claimed
q nfk
deeply because Of their pathos. Most
Of them demanded that should say as
much for Blease as had said for Jones.
Others threatened me with retirement
on account Of interference In the gov
ernors race. About ten days ago I
wrote to one Of the latter In Anderson
county, and asked him specially not to
let anyone see II.
Three or four days ago I received
copy Of the letter from Governor Blease
with the inquiry whether had written
It or not. On the 18th received a let
ter from Harrison Ferguson, Of Spar
tanburg, asking whether I thought
Blease was not also eminently qualified
for governor, to which / answered in
the Affirmative, with some restrictions
and explanations, and marked It also
private and confidential. And again the
code that obtains among gentlemen was
violated by Mr.. Ferguson, and that part
OF the letter shown, which said Govern
or Blease was 'eminently qualified IL
Mr. Ferguson has shown all of the let
ter, he has only done II to such friends
as he could trust, those of the same
type with himself. am thus made to
indorse Blease as 'eminently qualified
while explanations and restrictions are
kept from the public.
"I am nnuytllfpo IN fbio orio,o 20 ~, -
states history to become a supporter
OF Governor Blease for reelection, or
to appear to do so. know many Of my
warmest friends are strong believers In
Blease, and have shown this from the
beginning. A less number of the TILL
NANTES OF old, but as good friends as
any OF them, are supporting Judge
Jones. / do not want to appear, and /
am uncomfortable, in the role as a
fence-straddler; therefore, have de-
cided to give the letter in question pub
nclty SO that all the people may un-
derstand exactly what my ideas and
feelings are.
Il have no doubt Governor Blease has
read the whole letter, and such of his
lieutenants as he chose to give 1t to are
already in possession OF 1t. He Is ac-
quainted with my attitude, and will
naturally-and I would do the same,
and do not blame him at abuse II to
my disadvantage.
Without considering whether there
will be any countervailing advantage to
me in making the letter public, will
at least have the satisfaction Of know
Ing that am no longer considered too
cowardly to come out In the open and
make known my opinion. In this grave
crisis In the states history I can better
afford to retire to private life, If neces-
sary, than to be considered, even by
indirection, as indorsing Governor
Blease. ! will at least maintain my
own self-respect, and as my confidence
has been betrayed. will give the whole
letter to the public.
"As the battle has progressed, have
been more and more convinced Of the
utter unfltness Of Blease to be govern-
or, and rather than feel, as would be
compelled to do, that I was In part re-
sponsible for 1t, If remained silent, 4
write this statement and will take the
consequences.
"The state has been disgraced in the
eyes Of the whole world, and it's good
name made byword and q kissing.
Nobody can clease 1t and redeem II ex-
cept its own people.
II implore the people to take care of
the states good name next Tuesday,"
The letter written to Harrison Fer
guson, Of Spartanburg, portions Of
which have become known to the pub
lie, was then given out in its entirety
by Senator Tillman and appears In an
other column on this page.