Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1918-07-10
Senator B. R. Tillman.

area and ranking very low IN HlaIefl-
al wealth, South Carolina is recog-
nized as one of the foremost States
of the Union, and it is generally con-
ceded that Edgefeld county has con-
tributed much to South Cardinals
greatness. That this county has been
a leading factor in making history
for the Palmetto state is due to the
intellectual giants that this and past
generations have produced. Not only
have these prominent figures who
stand out silhouetted against the pag-
es of history possessed m element
of greatness, a giant intellect, but
they have possessed other elements
of greatness as well. One alone
would not have caused them to tower
so conspicuously above their fellows.
Among the men who have made
Edgefeld and South Carolina great
stands the lamented Benjamin Ryan
Tillman, who for the past thirty-odd
wears has been a conspicuous leader
of men. His entry into public life,
his earlier years having been upon
his farm in lower Edgefield county,
was made by a speech at BENEFITS
vile, in which he, among other things
advocated the abolition Of the con-
vention system and the election OF
public officers in a Democratic prl-
mary election. From that time (loo6)
on, his influence and power steadily
grew. He was twice elected governor
bv the reform" faction, in 1890 and
1892. In 1894 he was elected to the
United States senate to succeed Gen.
NJ. C. Butler and served continuously
up to his death, being actively en-
gagged in his duties as chairman OF
the committee on naval affairs at the
time he was stricken with the mala-
DIV from which he never regalned
consciousness.
While Senator Tillman achieved
much during his long term of active
service that is not tangible or easily
defined, vet some fruits of his labors
will be an enduring monument to his
name. Conspicuous among the latter
&c Clemson college and the placing of
Winthrop college upon a permanent
basis. From his first public u%tterance
on, until his dream was accomplished,
Senator Tillman advocated agricul-
tural and industrial training for the
bows of South Carolina, and this was
provided for through the establish
ment of Clemson college. Senator
! Tillman also introduced the present
primary system, the selection of pub
lie officers by popular ballot. Limited
space will not permit of a lengthy
review of his services as a national
legislator. Soon after entering upon
his duties as senator he became a
national figure, ranking among the
foremost men of his day and gener-
alton. No member of either the low
err or upper house welded a greater
influence than he. Whenever he rails
ed his voice the people gathered in
the galleries and the senators occu-
pied their seats, being eager to hear
him. His distinguished service, togeth-
err with the prestige he won brought
added honor to South Carolina, the
| State which he so loved and whose
good name he jealousy guarded.
Being a positive, aggressive char
acter, always ready to blaze the way
and let others follow, he sometimes
made mistakes, as do all men who un-
dertake to do things, but with the
good which he accomplished set over
against the mistakes he made, the
preponderance is decidedly in favor
of the former.
The home life of Senator Tillman,
the devotion to his wife and children,
was beautiful. Although his manner
was frequently brusque, yet there
was underlying tenderness in his ma
ture that provoked the admiration OF
all who really knew him.
The universal esteem and affection
in which Senator Tillman was held
was attested by the large concourse
of people who gathered at Trenton
from practically every county in this
as well as from some other States tc
do him honor. The numerous flora
tributes, conspicuous among them
being a beautiful design from Pres
ident and Mrs. Wilson, were silent
witnesses to the affection of friends
from all parts of South Carolina ant
the nation at large.
After a long, useful and brilliant
public career, all that was mortal Of