The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-03-04

OF the advocates OF the leSlSla-
lation they demand without Civ
ing any reason for itrun out of
coherent talk, ne Immediately
hoWls at the other side and
charges it with flibursting. The
fact is, the proponents Of the
two cent rate bill have taken up
more time in talking than the
opposition. I do not mean to say
by that the opposition is not en-
deavoring to prevent a vote,
they do not do so, however, by
wind-jamming, when they do
talk they present facts and
figures to show the unreason-
ableness of the demand for the
lower rate, and how it will harm
the masses rather than help
them, they also show the de-
mand for this attempt to Grip,
pie the earnings Of the railroads
does not come from the masses,
but from political agitators who
want an issue in the coming
campaign to haranguethe voters
with. An issue of this sort can
be used splendidly to keep the
buggers off by an adroit politi'
clan. Whenever some unpopular
act of his is presented to him he
can hurl it aside with an argu-
meut for the two cent railroad
rate; in other words. when con.
fronted to give reason for do
ling certain things, or casting
lcertain votes he can raise the
cry that the corporations are
trying to divert the minds of the
masses from the issue he has
made-it is a part of the politi-
cal game. The status of the rate
bill is that it is still on it's second
treading with an amendment to
exempt roads of less than 12o
miles in length, with a pending
amendment that the exemption
shall also apply to branch lines
| of a main line of less than $50
miles in length. Should this lat
ter amendment be adopted 1 do
not believe it will receive the
support of the extreme clamorers
itor the two cent rate, but they
will vote to kill the bill on it's
final passage: that is to say,
when it reaches a stage for final
passage.
I have submitted quietly for
several years to the periodical
outbreaks from Senator Till
man on this subject, without a
| word, because, l recall the
crouch he has of some
trouble with a railroad on ac-
count Of his not haYing complied
| with the requirements of the
road with regard to exchang ging
his ticket, ever since then he
has, when opportunity would
offer, put in his oar to muddy
the waters and to arouse pre-
judice; therefore I paid no atten.
tion to him, not only so, I also
recall how he abused men for
accepting free passes, and at the
first opportunity to get one he
grabbed it so quick it startled
the person who offered it to HIM,
be snatched so quick-it was
rude. I suppose be thought the
man might change his mind and
| 60 off without leaving it. He has
been inconsistent along this line
as we'll as many others, but
when he undertakes to apply
the lash to the members of the
State senate and threatens them
if they do not cringe to his bid
ding, for one will not stand for
| it, nor bite my tongue to keep
from expressing an opinion OF
him, and his conduct. I did say
just what the newspapers quoted.
''United States Senator B. R..
Tillman has for the past two
years continuously slandered the
lSenate of South Carolina in his
iremarks about the failure to pass
the rate bill" Tillman, when he
uttered the remarks which re-
hected upon the integrity of the
members of the Senate knew
that he was slandering them,
but is willing to cast suspicion
upon the characters of these
gentlemen, if by doing so, he
can accomplish a purpose. l
am equally impatient with the
latitude of Governor Blease on