The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-10-11
TlLLMAN AND TALBERT.
Two Former CO-WOrkers Entertain
Bad Opinions Of Each Other.

BAD Opinions Of Each Other.
Augusta Chronicle.
Parksville, S. c., Sept. 16, 1916.
Editor Augusta Chronicles:
I had hoped, when 1 replied in your
valuable columns few days ago to
Tillman's wild slanders, that 1 would
not have to ask your indulgence
again, but 1 feel you are due me some
space to do soiagain. 1 will not de-
scend into the. gutter, for that is his
home. and of course, can't hope to
whip the devil in his own den. He
must have known good while ago,
by intuition, that I had naught but
scorn and contempt for him, and he
knows better than anyone else why it
Is so.
This doughty warrior speaks Of band
wagons. when he knows. and every
b6dy else In South Carolina, old
enough to recollect, knows that he got
on nay band wagon, when, in the
90s 1 crammed the alliance demands,
down his throat and made him say
publicly it was good and wholesome
food-goOd enough, at least, to elect
him. first time, governor of the State.
And he knows, also and a lot of
others in the State know that he did
his best to put me off the band wagon
after l had kindly lifted him on and
given him comfortable seat. This
he knows happened when was in the
race for congress with his brother.
George D., by the way, was a grand
old man, and in direct contrast with
his brother. Ben.
Especially did he do. his utmost, in
the second primary, to. beat me after
promising to hantls-on in the race If
L would hands-Off in his race with
Governor Sheppard; another grand
old man, but not SO old as Brother
George.
That looks very much like making
me"--when the fact Is made him. 1
have good deal to say that 1 have
not the time to say here. but it shall
come if we both live long, enough
invited Tillman into tho arena four
years ago. but he politely declined.
saying he was sick and nigh unto
death, as David Of old, and could not
come, pleading the baby act and beg
ging the good people to let him die in
the harness. I have examined that
harness and find nothing wrong. but
the holding-back straps. That har-
ness. however, has enabled him to
fill his pockets with filthy lucre,
which, in trun, has enabled him to
buy blocks Of property In different
cities and states-most OF 1t operat-
Ing as rilu1ar. has. it 0ntsi1gnf his
own State. was not pauper when
l entered politics; am not a pauper
now; but am by no means a million
aire. doubt If he can say as much.
Any man can attack my political or
private, or business record that
chooses to do so, and 1 do not fear
the result. I do, not claim perfection
in any line, but I have always tried to
do as I would be done by.
And, Furthermore, it occurs to me
that, it i'll behooves any man to go
parading himself over the country as
paragon Of morality and honesty
and fairness with his tainted record
hanging over him; the fishy smell of
the four dust Of "penitentiary brick;
the sweet scented odor of "red CEDAR"
all mixed UP with the filthy stencil of
dispensary rebates upon his "holier
than thou" garments
Now, he speaks OF ''sneak thieves; !;
and. IL he means to apply that epithet
to me, pronounce him q liar and say
the truth is not In him.
AS I said at the outset, there are
number Of other things that 1 have
In my locker, too numerous to mention
here-and burden this splendid and
fairminded newspaper Without 1
will say. in conclusion, this is my ulti-
matum so far as newspaper contro-
versy is concerned. If he desires to
meet me. at any time, at any place he
may select, will meet him face to
face before the good people of the
State and discuss with him the ques-
tons of the day, or any other subject
he may select. Anyway, 1 will say if
he ever offers himself for office again
in this Sttae, 1 propose to meet him
and be there with the goods and be
ready to deliver them in any way he