The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1916-05-26
WHIT TIE GOVERNOR NORTH
CAROLINA REALLY SAID
Authentic Recital OF the Story That is
Told Concerning the Origin
of the Famous Saying.

The presence in Charlotte of Rich
ard l. Manning, governor Of South
Carolina and Locke Craig, governor
of North Carolina, has revived that
old story of what the governor OF
North Carolina said to the governor
of South Carolina" and an enterpris-
Charlotte Observer reporter has
found the facts which are related as
follows:
Apropos Of the presence of the
governor of South Carolina in Char
lotte today, Mrs. j. A. Fore supplies
The Observer with authentic inform
alton as to show come the famous
remark was made by the one official
to the other many, many years ago.
| This remark became so celebrated,
that it is quoted in kipliHg's mas
terpiece, '9The Light That Failed"
This is the story of it's origin:
Nearly a century ago a man promi-
nent in political affairs in North Car
oliaa moved over the border and Set
| tied in South Carolina. Soon he COM
mitted some small crime and was in
dicted. He returned to North Caro-
lima and the governor Of South Caro-
lima issued a requisition on the gov
ernor of North Carolina. The crimi-
nails rich and influential relatives in
terceded and the requisition was re-
fused. Prominent men in South Car
olina told their governor he had not
been properly treated, and he, accom-
panied by a large party Of friends
and advisors, journeyed by stage to
Raleigh for a conference. The gov
ernor Of North Carolina with party
of distinguished men, met them sew
eral miles from town and gave them
ceremonious escort to the COVER
nor's mansion. Before the object OF
the visit was stated, all sat down to
an elabroate dinner. After dinner
wine was served, and after wine
came brandy-tho applejack for
which the 0la North State is-or
was-faG1oas.
After many rounds of drinks tha
decaater and glasses were removed
and tha governor Of South Carolina
stated the object Of his visit. He de-
manded tbs surrender OF the crlmi-
nal. The governor Of North Caro-
lima refused. Then followed long
and heated discussion, in which the
attorney generals of the two States
took an active part. Finally the gov
ernor Of South Carolina grew angry
and rising to his feet, said:
'tSir, you have refused my just de
mand and offended the dignity Of my
Office and State. Unless you at once
surrender the prisoner I will return
to my capital, call out the militia Of
the State, and returning with my
army, 1 will take the fugitive by
force Of arms. Governor, what do
you say?"
All eyes were turned on the gov
ernor of North Carolina, and his an
swer was awaited with breathless in
terest. The governor arose to his
feet and beckoned to a servant who
stood some distance away. His beck
oning was firm and dignifed, as be-
came his position. He was slow about
answering, and again the governor
of South Carolia demanded: "What
do you say?'
81 say, governor, that it's a. long
time between drinks!"
The reply restored good humor.
Decanters and glasses were brought
out again, and while the visitors re-
mained, if any one attempted to re-
fer to the diplomatic object Of the
visit he was cut short by the remark
that it was long time between
drinks. When the visiting governor
was ready to return home he was es-
corted to the State line by the gov
ernor of North Carolina, and they
parted the best of friends.
THE fugitive was never surrender
ed.