Título: Benjamin Tillman
Seção: Inauguration and legislative control
Background: Benjamin Ryan Tillman (August 11, 1847 - July 3, 1918) was a politician of the Democratic Party who served as Governor of South Carolina from 1890 to 1894, and a United States Senator from 1895 until his death in 1918. A white supremacist who opposed civil rights for blacks, Tillman led a paramilitary group of Red Shirts during South Carolina's violent 1876 election. On the floor of the U.S. Senate, he frequently ridiculed blacks, and boasted of having helped to kill them during that campaign. In the 1880s, Tillman, a wealthy landowner, became dissatisfied with the Democratic leadership and led a movement of white farmers calling for reform.

Conteúdo: Tillman was sworn in as governor in Columbia on December 4, 1890, before a crowd of jubilant supporters, the largest to see South Carolina's governor inaugurated since Hampton's swearing-in. In his inaugural address, Tillman celebrated his victory, "the citizens of this great commonwealth have for the first time in its history demanded and obtained for themselves the right to choose her Governor; and I, as the exponent and leader of the revolution which brought about the change, am here to take the solemn oath of office ... the triumph of democracy and white supremacy over mongrelism and anarchy, of civilization over barbarism, has been most complete."  Tillman made it clear he was not content that African Americans were allowed even a limited role in the political life of South Carolina:  The whites have absolute control of the State government, and we intend at any and all hazards to retain it. The intelligent exercise of the right of suffrage ... is as yet beyond the capacity of the vast majority of colored men. We deny, without regard to color, that "all men are created equal"; it is not true now, and was not true when Jefferson wrote it.  The legislature, at Tillman's recommendation, reapportioned itself, costing Charleston County four of its twelve seats, and other lowcountry counties one each, with the seats going to the upcountry. Although Tillman sought to reduce public expenditures, he was not successful in doing so as his reform program required spending, and the l

user: How did his political career begin?

assistant: Tillman was sworn in as governor in Columbia on December 4, 1890,

user: How many terms did he serve of Governor?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER

user: What was the public reaction to his inauguration?

assistant: a crowd of jubilant supporters, the largest to see South Carolina's governor inaugurated since Hampton's swearing-in.

user: Was their any opposition to his election?

assistant: Tillman made it clear he was not content that African Americans were allowed even a limited role in the political life of South Carolina:

user: What were some of his notable accomplishments as Governer?

assistant: The legislature retired Hampton,

user: What was Tillman's involvement with the legislature?

assistant: The legislature, at Tillman's recommendation, reapportioned itself, costing Charleston County four of its twelve seats, and other lowcountry counties one each, with the seats going to the upcountry.

user: Were the seats replaced by Republicans or Democrats?

assistant: There was a call from many in the South Carolina Democratic Party to re-elect Hampton,

user: Was Hampton opposed to Tillman's views?

assistant: Tillman was embittered against Hampton for a number of slights,