Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-13


to Governor Blease; but our recollec-
ton is that during his early political
days he was not especially enthusiast
tic for Tillman. But nevertheless. 1t
is a fact beyond dispute that original
Tillmanism is now the strongest ele-
ment behind Governor Blease, just as
original anti-Tillmanism is the ele-
ment upon which the strength Of
Judge Jones is based. There are ex-
ceptions in both cases; but the excep-
tions are only sufficiently numerous
to prove the rule.
So far as the primary campaign of
today being any nastier than was the
campaigns of the early nineties is con-
cerned. that is all buncombe. Those
who are unable to remember have
only to look back into the newspapers
Of the day for corroboration Of the
statement. Neither Judge Jones nor
Governor Blease have INDUCED In any
hotter language than was used by
Senator Tillman in the old days, and
both have talked as much high plane
talk as he ever talked. We do not
want to be understood as justifying
the exhibition now going on. We are
merely stating the truth. And also 1t
Is a fact that in the old days Tillman
made as many unfounded and unwar-
ranted charges against the crowd he
was fighting, as are now being made
by either Judge Jones or Governor
Blease. In those days Senator TILL
mans motto was, II make the charges
and it is up to you to disprove them" "
He made charges against the other
side that 1t was never able to disprove,
and they made charges against him
that remain disproved until this
day. The fact remains, also, that
Governor Blease has done more dis
proving than Senator Tillman ever
did.
The senator tells us that he disap-
proves the idea Of United States sem
ator interfering in state politics. 1t
will be remembered that that was the
pretext on which Wade Hampton was
defeated; yet it was common talk at
the time that Tillman helped John
Gary Evans all he could in that gen.
tleman's first race for the United
States senate and in subsequent races.
Alleged Tillman letters in behalf Of
Hon. John G. Richards figured in the
gubernatorial primary Of two years
ago, and now the senator tells us
frankly that If he could have had his
way John G. Richards would have
been governor now. Yet he does not
try to interfere, he says. 1t Is fact
that his attempted interference did
not amount to much then; but II the
senator really thinks he Is going to
get off lightly this time, he is badly
mistaken.
The Jones crowd, the senator's for
mer enemies, want him to come out
for Jones. Their real reason. OF
course, is political; but they are put
ting it on personal grounds only.
They don't see how the senator can
remain neutral as between such a fine
man is Judge Jones and such a "buc-
cancer" as Governor Blease, and they
insist that this is reason enough for
anybody. AS a matter Of fact we are
inclined to think that for various rea-
sons, mainly. through envy of Cover
nor Blease for out-Tillmaning Till
man, the. senator would like to see
Jones elected, and II 1t was an off-year
with him he would be for Jones; but
as II Is, he Is going to keep close to
the shore. He still has sense enough
to know that with such a strong prob
ability Of the election being settled in
the first primary, he cannot feel any
security that the Jones people Will
vote for him anyway, and knows full
we'll that If he undertakes to stick his
knife into Governor Blease, the
Bleaseites will certainly scratch him
to the tune Of $4,000 or 10000 votes.
In the general assertion Of the SEN
ator that there are hundreds Of Till
NANTES in the state who are better
exponents of Tillmanism than either
Jones, Blease or Duncan, we agree
most heartily; but that seems to be
begging the question a little. There
are no doubt better exponents Of TILL
manism in the state than even Till
man is, or Tillman ever was; but they
are not in this race and are not to be
considered in connection with the
present controversy. The question
now is mainly between Blease and
Jones and the respective parties be-
hind them.
No, we do not believe that Judge
Jones believes in social equality, nor
do we believe that the issue involves
the personality of either Blease or
Jones, nor do we believe that the state
will be lost or ruined whichever way
this thing goes. All we see in it is a
struggle for power, the event Of which
struggle is to be the domination Of
Tillmanism or anti-Tillmanism, which
ever side may win, and with which
terms Bleaseism and Jonesism have
now become identical.