El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-07-03

I and healthy. He early developed a
taste for good reading and was fond
OF all outdoor sports. His early life
was passed on the plantation Of his
parents. where he worked when he
pleased. The striking traits that
characterized this remarkable man
are 10 be traced primarily TO his
mother She was woman Of phe-
nomenal strength, mentally, morally
and phyicaly.
Young TilIman received his early
education at Bethany academy. The
outbreak Of the civil war however.
necessitated his leaving school. al
though he was too young TO Join the
army His sympathles were naturally
with the south. as his mother lost all
her property and her slaves when the
war broke out. and the family became
very poor
Enlisted in Last Year.
In the last year OF the war T1lman
enlisted. but was stricken with a Sc
we're illness shortly afterwards. which
made him an invalid for two years
and caused the loss of his left eve.
During the period OF reconstruction
following the civil war. the Tulmaus.
like many other southern families.
had a hard struggle for existence.
Young Tillman was a member OF one
the farmers and planters TO protect
them. their property and families
from the depredations Of lawless ne
grOes.
Until 1855 senator Tillman worked
quietly on his farm In 1890 he was
nominated for governor and. at the
close OF one Of the most bitter cam
paigns i'm the history Of the state.
was elected
Farmers Backed Him Strongly.
As governor OF the state he attained
national prominence by forcing
through the legislature the dispen-
sary liquor law. under which all in
toxicants were sold by the state. But
the liquor interests refused to comply
with the law There were armed in
surrections and Tillman's constables
were shot down and his life threat
ened- He called out the militia. but
il refused to serve. Then he APP
pealed 10 his friends and companions.
the farmers. and they answered his
call and marched TO the capital 500
strong This show Of power awed the
rioters and made Tillman master Of
his state thereafter.
The redemption Of his platform
pledges and the fearless manner in
which he carried out his policies re-
suited in his reelection in 1892. and
at the close Of his second term he re-
tired from the gubernatioal race 20
become candidate for the United
States senate against Cen NJ c.
Butler. The campaign was a heated
one, and a choice was finally referred
to the people Of the state The two
candidates canvassed the state. coun-
ty by county. and the campaign re-
suited in Tillmau being elected by the
state legislature by an overwhelming
majority. In 1901 he was reelected
and had represented his state cOntin-
usuoly in the upper house up to the
time of his death.
Was Called @Pitchfork Ben
Since his first appearance in the
senate chamber in 1895 senator Till
man had been one Of the most pic
turesque characters in congress. As
an orator he was second to none, and
his fearless and radical utterances|
won for him national reputation.
For years his pyrotechnic style Of ora
tory invoked applause Of the senate
galleries and earned him the sobri-
quet Of "Pitchfork Ben"
His first notable outbreak came
shortly after his election to the SEN
ate, and was a fitting illustration Of
his independence Of character. In OPP
posing some measures advocated by
president Cleveland. the head Of his
own party, he referred to the CHIEF
executive as sell lQOlafrOus. DULL
necked despot" In consequence. he
became leader Of an independent wing
Of the Democracy. which repudiated
the Cleveland administration. and. at
the Chicago convention of 1856.
the famous Chicago platform I
and nominated William Jennings
Bryan for president.
Violent Race Prejudice.
His attitude on the race problem
was never questioned. and his violent I
speeches on this subject at times hor- /
rified the northern members At one /
time he exultingly told on the floor I.
Of the senate how the whites had ]
stuffed the ballot boxes in order 70 I
iefeat negroes at the polls, and said {
We are ashamed of it."
In a speech Of five hours in Feb !
-uary. 1903. he challenged the Re /
publican view Of the negro with such /
an array Of facts and force Of argu- /
nent that no one even tried 10 .
answer, and frequently. before and /
after. in short speeches. he dwelt on
he subject in connection with our
policy in the Philippines.
Negro Majority Is Controlled.
Mr. Tillman encouraged the sup
preston Of the negro vote and pro-
noted the calling of South Carollna's /
convention in 1925.
This convention drafted the consu-
utional amendment under which since I
hat date. by means OF educational or .