The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1915-04-22
Congressman Aiken's
Reply to MIR. 'Tillman

Mr.. Editor: Senator TiIlman'.
statement a few days ago ir
reference to the establishment
Of the new federal court, in the
light of the facts known to all
the delegation, is amusing and
amazing. His painstaking ef-
fort to deny me credit for the
passage of my own bill would
seem to leave no question but
that the underlying purpose of
his article is to minimize nv
work in the interest of some one
in whom he may be more vitally
interested. This taken in con-
nection with the announced pur
pose of his own son to offer for
congress in this district next
term might, in the minds Of un-
charitable people, lead to the con-
clusion that the senator is using
this juicy federal pie, indirectly,
in the interest of still another of
his personal or political family.
Some people might think that
Mr.. Byrnes' residence in another
district added something to the
glory of his work in the sena-
tors mind.
ThatCongressman Byrnes was
very active and helpful in the
passage Of the bill no one will
deny; but that he deserves more
credit than I, it's author and
promoter he will not even claim,
with his knowledge of the facts,
for Mr.. Byrnes is q fair minded
man who would not attempt un-
justly to rob a colleague of that
which is due him
am charitable enough to be-
lieve that Senator Tillman could
not have been thoroughly con-
versant with the facts further
than that Mr.. Byrnes was gen
orally the mediary between the
senate and the house negotia
tions, in all Of which Mr.. Byrnes
and [ had q thorough under
standing and a mutual interest
along with all the other mem
bers of the delegation.
Nothing is so distasteful to
me as to- recite my work as a
public servant, and especially If,
in doing so, there is the slightest
seeming of taking aught of
credit from any Of my colleagues.
However, the fact that l was
the author Of the bill, coupled
with the further fact that the
senior senator, whom the state
has honored exceptionally, and
for whom [ have entertained
great respect and even admira-
ton, should publish an article
to all intents and purposes ig-
noring my part in its passage,
should at least call forth a public
statement from me. [ have
waited several days before pub
fishing this statement, in vain
hope that the senatorin some of
his addendums would make
amends for what seems to have
been his sin of omission if not
of commission. Since he has
not done SO, 'candor compels
me-" even with the more or less
frequent use Of the pronoun IT"
to say a word in defense.
The fact is the effort to put
through this new district bill
has engaged the attention of
the delegation for more than
two years, with varying chances
of success. Some months prior
to the last general election the
whole scheme seemed to have.
fallen to the ground with little
hope Of resurrection. The chair
man of the judiciary committee
in the house (Mr. Webb) was
very much opposed to it and
while he expressed a friendly
sympathy with my efforts to
obtain favorable report of my
bill, he designated it as a steal.
He said the data presented to
the committee was totally in
sufficient. Upon this hint, L
went to work and dug up all
the facts going to show that by
- - q, :, :. a. :, ., a