The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-10


writing TO Senator b. r. Tillman on
general matters and the political
campaign now going on in the State,
enclosed the letter published below
and requested the Senator to give his
views on the question asked there
in. In answer Senator Tillman
says: mo sensible man in the State
believes that Judge Jones is in favor
of social equality and that 'he
would make d good Governor, for he
is eminently qualified" The Senator
says Governor Blease "shrewdly mud
died the waters" and that he has
played politics more adroitly than
tie Judge"
Eere is the letter Mr.. Sims wrote to
Senator Tillman:
Office Of the Times and Democrat.
"Orangeburg. S. c.
Senator b. r. Tillman. Washing
ton, ID. C.-My Dear Senator: Many
of the reformers who were with you
in the nineties and who still believe
in you and are doing all they can to
have you returned to the Senate are
supporters of Judge Jones in his race
for the GOvernorship and hope to see
him elected. AS you doubtless know,
Judge Jones has been charged with
being in favor Of social equality be-
cause he. with many other good men,
when in the Legislature. voted against
law providing separate cars for the
races when you were Governor. be-
cause Of the uncOnstitutionality OF
such law under the Constitution of
the State at that time. Other charg-
es- have been made against Judge
Jones because of his acts as a legis-
latOr and Justice of the Supreme
Court, which we need not mention as
they are familiar to you. Judge
Jones was Speaker Of the House of
Representatives when he voted against
the bill providing separate cars for
the races. having been elected to that
position by the refOrmers, who af-
terwards elected him Associate JUS
tce. We feel that these charges
against Judge Jones are a reflection
on all reformers, as they made him
Associate Justice after he committed
the act, for doing which he is charged
with being in favor of social equality.
The same may be said of the other
charges against Judge Jones. AS you
were the head of the Reform Move
ment and were Governor when Judge
Jones voted against the Separate Car
Act. we would like for you to say
whether you consider Judge Jones an
advocate Of social equality because
he voted against that law, and wheth-
er in your Judgment he would make a
good Governor OF the State. With
great respect / am very truly yours,
(Signed) Jas l.. Sims"
Here is Senator Tillman's answer
20 Mr.. Sims
United States Senate,
Washington. ID. c., Aug. 3, 1912
THE Hon. James l.. Sims. Orange
burg, $. C.-Dear Mr.. Sims: | have
your letter of July 20. for which
please accept my thanks. / have
been surprised that Judge Jones has
allowed Governor Blease to put him
on the defensive and made him eX-
plain something that needed no expla-
nation. for no sensible man in the
state believes that Judge Jones is in
favor Of social equality, and Governor
i'lease has laughed in his sleeve tosee
how shrewdly he has muddicd the
waters. In other words, he has
played politics more adroitly than the
Judge In reply to your question: AS
you were the head of the Reform
Movement and was Governor when
Judge Jones voted against the Sepa-
rate Car Act, We would like for you
To say whether YOU consider Judge
Jones an advocate of social equality
because he voted against that law
ana whether in your judgment he
would make Il good Governor for the
the state | answer: | do not consider
that Judge Jones was an advocate Of
social equality because he voted
against that law, and | believe he
would make good Governor for he
Is cmin"ntly qualified. | say this
more willingly because il cannot be
construed rs my taking sides as be
tween the men. | announced last
fall that ! would not do this ana thus
far | have seen no reason why |
should change my attitude.
IF The noWspaners koen on nnh-