The Manning times. (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, August 08, 1894, Image 1
CL X
VOL. X. MANNING, S. C,. WEDNESDAY,__AUGUST 8, 189.__ N.2
HOT 'rIMES IN UNION.
THE CANIDATES FOR SENATOR
HAVE A TILT.
'he C,owd Cherr f., T3IasIrtn Whilo
Butler TP14 a t - speak, ard ae C11e1
Blacktuards--Great Exctement-Caugh
man Tilts to Sp ale.
UNION, July 31.-Strong men and
brave men lotked fcr serious trouble
at Union this afternoon and early to
night and held their breaths until it
was over. Well, its over, and there
was no personal difficulty between
Butler and Tillman. There were hot
words, however, and the two men shook
their forefinger3 at each other and
talked hard and fast while the train on
which they were dashed noisily along
and everybody breathlessly awaited
the outcome. It's a long story how it
all came about, but the public will de
vour every word with eagerness and
will not then be satisfied.
HOW IT CAME ABOUT.
Here's the story, although some of
the same facts appear elsewhere in
this report. On Saturday at Laurens
Senator Butler gave to the newspaper
men a part of a speech which he in
tended to make there. This wasgiven
for the purpose of getting it to their pa
pers by mail. The entire matter related
to the Dispensary. Each correspondent
mailed the matter to his paper. Sena
tor Butler did not use the matter in
his speech and the newspaper men tele
graphed their papers not to use it. For
some reason the News and Courier saw
fit to publish it on Monday morning
with a statement that it was a part of
the proceedings of the Laurens meet
ig. How it made the mistake is not
kuown. Governor Tillman was mad.
The matter again insinuated that there
was something wrong in the Dispen
sary. When the Governor spoke today
he jumped on the article and on Butler,
using some strong language to the
senior Senator. When the Senator re
plied he was severe on Tillman and the
crowd got mad. Butler got mad and
for a while things were squally.
BUTLER GETS HOTTER.
Soon after the speaking Governor
Tillman went to the private house of
Judge Townsend, where he was stop
ping, and was not seen again until the
train came by Union for Spartanburg.
Senator Butler was stopping at the
Union Hotel but he and nearly all of
the others took dinner at the railroad
eating house. The Senator appears to
have brooded over what Tillman said
about Ihim and the way crowd
treated him. As the afternoon
wore on he did not cool off, but
got hotter I have never anown
him so mad. At the dinner
table, at which over a dozen men were
seated, Senator Butler publicly stated
that Tillman had not treated him fair
ly and that as soon as he saw him he
proposed to denounce him to his face
is "a damn dog, scoundrel and vandal."
He was also bitter in speaking of some
of the men whom he considered lead
ers in yelling for Tillman, one being a
man named Mobley and another named
Evans. The Senator said he might as
well settle all this thing now; that he
had only a few more years to live and
it would not make much difference if
he had to go now. There was some
thing to admire in the old soldior as
his eyes flashed and he talked diflantly.
Every man present knew that he would
keep his word. They presumed that
he might cool off and not use such
severe language to Tillman. He did
not use the same' language but it was
strong enough. Senator Butler went
to his hotel after dinner and remained
there. While there he saw Mobley and
denounced him in the presence of
many people. When he turned from
Mobley the story is that Mobley said
something derogatory to Butler. A.
W. Harris, postmaster at Union, heard
it and started to attack Mobley, reach
ing'for his pistol It is said. Later Cal
Caughman had a affliculty In a room
of the hotel with a man and pulled his
pistol. Friends interfered and stopped
this trouble. All over town rows were
brewing and were avoided only by the
presence of cool headed mecn. Senator
Butler himself assisted iu s;.opping
some of these. Liquor got in its wOrk
on all sids and it is a wonder that the
Coronr does rnot have to work tomor
row.
TH E GIANTS 31EET.
The train from Columbia rolled into.
Union tonight about 7.30, o'clock.
Twenty minutes were allowed for sup
per. Senator Butler sat for some time
on the portico of the eating house.
The train stopped at the station fifty
yards from the eatibg house. Governor
Tillman ate supper at Judge Town
aeno's and was driven to the depot.
He got on the train and took a seat in
the Pullman sleeper which was in
charge of Conductor Dawkins. The
train was in charge of Conductor Car
son. Senator Stanyarne Wilson sat in
the same seat with Governor Tillman.
No others of the campaign party were
in the sleeper. Senator Butler got on
the first class coach with several
friends. As soon as the train pulled
out he appeared to begin a searcni for
Tillman. Not seeing him in the lirst
class coach he went into the second
class. A few people followed him. le
even looked into the baggage car. Not
a dozen people on the train suspected
his mission, but reporters had their
eyes open. Senator Butler retraced his
steps through the second and first
class coaches and entered the sleeper.
Close at his heels were newspaper me!:,
his brother, who lives in Union, Gen
eral Richbourgr, W. H. Yeldeli, General
Ellerbe, Col. John Gary Evans and
Cal Caugbman. They crawled around
little aisles. in a frcnt seat on the
right hand side sat Tillman and Wil
son. Senator Butler walked up to
where they were sitting.
THlE ROW.
it was impossible because of the
noise of the train to catch all that was
said, but the substance of it w as that
Senator Butler wanted to know If G av
ernor Tillman knew that the publica
tion of that article was premature.
Governsr Tillman admitted that he
knew so through Kohn, correspondent
for the News and Courier. Butlef
then wanted to know why Tillman had
made use of it. Tillman answered be-,
cause he did not think tbat Kohn had
anything to do with it and that Butler
ought to have informed him (Tiliman)
that the publication of it was an acci
dent while they were coming up on the
traiu together on ionday. That would
have removed all trouble.
General Butler then remarked: "All
that has nothing to do with it and I
want to say to you that you perpetrated
a deliberate fraud today. 1 have ccmue
to tell you that these things must be
settled personally and that I will meet
you anywhere."
Tlillman answered: "Sjou are an old
man and one-leggd and I do nft care
to have a difficulty with you under
these circumstances."
Butler' You are one-eyed and need
not mind my infirmities.
Tillman said his one eye didn't lessen
his physical abilities. The car rocked
along.
Conductor Dawkins did not at first
seem to comprehend wnat was the mat
ter and refrained from interference.
aor Butler said something about
Iblackguiards a*. the mee~tin2. Tlillm:m
said: "Yts,;his is a day of blackgwvirds.
You helped to enact th e anti-d uelling
law about litteen years ago and a gan
tieman can no lor.ger obtain sitisfac
tion for an insult. You know I am
not afraid of vou."
Butler: " Fat is all iight; but I say
that you have perpetratud a deliberat e
fraud and lie and that I am r-ady to
settle with you personally."
Cal Caughmau became wild at this
point and shouted: -Ile is a liar. G--d
d-n him," and made a motion towards
his hip pccktd. Caugthman had been
talking boisterously for several min
utes and Conductor Dawkins had told
him to cease. When Caughman broke
loose with his protanity Conductor
Dawkins and General Ellerbee seized
him and hustled him out. Ile did not
return until the !rouble was over.
Butler continued oy telling Tillmin
that he had indulged in personalities
and by God he did not propose to stand
any more of them. "I could tell you,"
he said, "of what I have heard how you
paid off a $16,000 mortgage."
Tillman: "Then why don't you do it.
You know it is a lie. You cannot sep.
arate my public record from my pri
vate character for honesty."
Butler: "1 want to repeat to you not
to presume on my age or infirmities
and tell you that I will meet you any
place or any time."
The Governor told Butler that he
was tired of his insinuations that he
had stolen money.
Butler: "1 have not insinuated any
such thing. Why don't you deny what
I charged and not go into personalities.
When you want to fight. G-d d-d it,
say so and we will have it."
Governor Tillman acted very p1a
lently during all this. Ile talked with
out a break and tremor in his voice.
Once or twice he and Butler had their
lingers in each others faces. Senator
Butler repeated his remarks several
times, each time appearing to grow
more excited. Once he said, "When
you ever have anything persnal come
to me. Don't put those G-d d-m
hoodlums on me."
Tillman: "You know that is not so
and I didn't put anybody on you."
Butler: "I am going to have free
speech or I am going to fight for it."
Tillman: "When ever you insinuate
that I have been stealing I am going to
resent it."
Butler: "There is no use to talk any
further when you have any thing per
sonal say it to me."
Conducter Dawkins had for some
time been trying to put a stop to the
row. He at last said that it must stop
as ladies were complaining. The affair
was dropped by Senator Butler walking
out and Governor lillman who had
been standing up sitting down.
The train rolled into Spartanburg to
night without further incident. Every
body is looking for trouble here tomor
row. Senator Butler Is getting desper
ate. Political feeling Is running high
tonight and I understand contingents
of Butler men are expected here from
Columbia and elsewhere to back .up
whatever the Senator says and does.
Two thousand people will be here.
.here were other incidents at Union
today. Mr. Minnegerode, the popular
agent for Church & Co., soda men,who
has been following the campaign dis
tributing samples of his house was ar
rested for obstructing the streets and
fined heavily. Mr. Minnegerode has
never interfered with the speaking or
with anybody and his house will bring
suit for false imprlsonment.
THE SPEAKING.
All the above occurred after the
speaking was over, and after the party
had left Union fur Spartanburg. Wc
will not report the speeches of any can
didates but Tillman and Butler's,as the
others made about the same speeches
that they have made at other place.
After several candidates for State otli -
ces and Railroad Commissioners had
spoken, Governor Tillman was intro
duced.
TILLMAN's SPEECII.
He said that before he began his dis
cussion of issues he would pay his re
spects to Senator Butler. Hie said that
Butler Is allowing his mouth to be
used as a sewer through which other
people squirt filth at him (r'illman.)
He reviewed Butler's various charges
against him. Now there appears in the
N ews and Courier part ot what is al
leged to have been a speech of Butler's
at Laurens. Butler did not deliver any
such speech. The article referred to is
as foltows, and was intended to have
been spoken by Butler at L'iurens:
1 have already during the campaign
referred to the management of the
State Dispensary and asked Governor
Tillman what had become of the 7
cents per gallon rebate the State was
entitled to on his liquor purchasers In
reply he stated that he did not get this
rebate because he did not confine his
purchases to the trust. 1 was not
thoroughly posted then but have since
had the benefit of Commissioner Trax
ler's report from .July 1st, 1893, to J1an
uary 1st, 1894, and in looking over it
find that Governor Tillman is in error
in saying that the State was not enti
ted to this rebate as none of his pur
chases as published in this report re
leased the Mill Creek D)istilling Comn
pany from payment of not only of this
7 cents per gallon, but as I will show
you of a much greater amount. ar.d if
it has not been paid steps should be
taken te have it collected as the tax
payers of the State are entilt ld to it.
In Commissioner Traxler's report we
are infor med that the first purchasesI
for the State were made on May 22,
189w, from the Mill Creek Distilling
Company. who are in the trust, and
amo.unted to about sixty-one thousand.
three hundred gallons at a cost of
about $84,300. Of this purchase all
except about 1,350 gallons were entitled
to a rebate of 7 cents per gallon, but
also two cents per gallon more for
cash. The 1.350 gallons of high priced
whiskey was entitled to a discount of
4 per cent. for cash. Further review
ing this purchase, I find that the State
paid the Mill Creek Distilling Comn
pany S1 30 per gallon for 17,986 gallons
of single X rye, which was only worth
on that day $1.20 per gallon. They also
paid the Mill Creek Distilling Com
pany ou the same date $1.20 per gallon
for 18 581 gallons single X .Bour bon.
the market price of which on that day
was $1.20 per gallon; so In this single
purchase we lind the taxpayers of the
State over paid.
On 17,930 gallons X rye at 10 cents
per gallon $1,793 i60.
On 18,581 gallons X Bourbon at 6
cents per gallon $1.114#0
Rebate on 59.950 gallons at 7 cents
$4,196.50.
Cash discount, 59.950 gallons at 2
cents per gallon, $1.199-00.
Cash discount, 1,345 gallons cost aboait
$30 27 at 4 per cent. $120 00.
Making a grand total of S8,423.96
lost to the taxpayers of tne State on
this single purchase amountmng to less
than $85,000. .I do not propose to go
over all the purchases made by the State
but simply call your attention to the
loss made on this single purchase from
the Mill Creek Ilstilling Company.
The Governor promises that the dis
pensary will be in full blast again at an
early day and apparently he is anxious
to have the law in force again and
while 1 do not propose to give my views
tor or against it I do think that the
State should buy its liquors to the very
best advantage and not vest the purchas
Ing power in ode who has no knowledge
of the bUsiness; i'rd besides, I d- not
thintk ii. wise o have: a1 tw whico oprns
the dor to corruption. It is not my in
tentionf to colnvey the id-a that Gover
nor Tillnian is dishones', but I do say
that an Act that givewe power to any
one man to us-- th- ron and credit of
the S--ie to ! h-xa-nr. t of hundreds of
thousands of dollars and permit his ac
countings to the State for this trust as
is done in this Dispensary report is, to
say the least, an unwise Act.
I have only c-,vered the lirst purchase
made by Governor Timlman and under
stand th-it allryc liiqiors have since
been bought from this campany for
theS:ateIspensary ari will go n- f ur
ther, but I would be glad if some one
perfectly familiar with the ;lIuor busi
ness would carefully review all the
statements issued by Commissioner
Traxler and let the taxpayers of the
State know whether the others purchases
were made at or above their value.
Replying to this article Gvernor
Tillman said that it was another insin
uation that he was either a fool or a ras
ca!; that he had been svindling the peo
pie or had been cheating. Ile asked
Butler where he had got his informa
tion about the price ot whiskey at the
times named. Receiving no answer he
said that Butler didn't know and was
allowing bimself to br used as a tool of
the.whiskey trust. GOvernor Tillman
went over the other insinuations of
Butler and answered them, demanding
of Butler the source of his information.
lie said he was getting tired of these
insinuations and wouldn't stand it.
lie had never attacked Butler's honesty.
The people of Edgelieli Know that he
(Tillman) is honest and endorsed him
two years ago by 1.500' majority. They
will give him 1,500 maij ,rity this year.
The Governor said: "It comes with
poor grace from Butler to insiguate
anything about my honesty when he
cannot say as much about paying
hi3 own honest debts." Butler,
he said, charged him with having power
to purchase all the whiskey. This was
not so. The purchasing power is vested
in the Board of Control. of which E!
lerbe and Buchanan are members.
They are responsible but all the respon
sibility is laid on me. They frequently
leave the purchasing of whiskey to me
because I am familiar with all details of
the business, but they know that there
is nothing in these insinuations.
After finishing with Butle: Governor
Tillman jumped on Grover Cleveland.
Speaking of the scarity of money he
took a hand primary to see how many
men in the audience had any money. It
was a rather delicate question, but the
primary showed an enthusiastic majori
ty without a cent. Governor Tillman
touched again today on the Alliance
and the sub-treasury. He declared that
this pressing of that demnad at this
time is simply blindness and may preci
pitate a row in the Reform ranks which
may allow some of our enemies to slip
in. "I could have dtdged this sub-treas
ury issue and let you go on and fall in
the ditch, but I am not a demagogue
and will tell you the truth every time."
(Cheers.) The Governor told his friends
to make every man who is a candidate
for the Legislature tell exictly how he
stands.
roice: "They have got it to do."
The last thing the Governor spoke on
was the Dispensary. le said that he
bad hid the 1893 law from the Supreme
Court because he didn't want the ex
pense of an extra session of the Lagis
lature to renact it. The Goveror was
sustained in what he had done in re
opening the Dispensary by a hand pri
mary. The crowd promised to do their
duty as jurors when men are arrested
for violation of the law. The Governsi
told the crowd that when ttzy know
a man is violating the law to send him
word and ne will send . constable to
take charge of that man.- The Gover
or was uproariousiy.applhuded throgh
ut his speech.
BUTLER'S Sli-ECII.
Every body who know Senator Butler
an imagine how i't must have affected
him when Gover'ior Till-nan told hi~n
his mouth was a sewer pipe through
which other people squirt tneir filth at
him. Knowing this the reporters looked
for hot stuff from Senator Butler. They
were not disappointed, but the occa
sion was hotter than anybody expected.
t came near amounting to a riot be
fore the hour alloted to the Senator
was over, Senator Butler was probably
a little paler than usual as he faced
the crowd of 1,200 men, nearly all of
them Tillmanites. Grasping the railing
in front of him, General Butler first
paid a few compliments to the old sol
:iers of UnioD. Then he said in stern
tones: -"Since the progress of this
campain I have endeavored to comply
with the rules of parliamentary debate.
The exhibition here this morning is no
excetion to the quotatlon that " When
a man gets mad he is a fool."
Turning toward Tillman and back
again to tne crowd, Biutler said: "-I
ntify both him and you here and now
that in the future l do not propose to
wash our dirty linen in public, if he
r you have any personal grievances
against me let him meet me and we
will settle it. lie knows where to find
ne and knows he cant get satisfaction
at any tiine."
Thbis stat ement, or at least that part
.irected to the crowd, was drowned out
by the loud cheers for Tillman.
General Blutler explained that he had
prepared the article which was in the
News and Courier to use at L-Lurens.
le had given it to the reporters to copy
andl mail to their papers. The Courier
:orrespondent had mailed it to his paper
and that paper had prematurely put
lished it. It was pub~lished without au
thoity. Gove'rnor Tillman kuew the
:ircusances and yet took advantage
f it. Notwithstanding this ha~ sees lit
to go out of his way to make tings at
me.
Gen.-ral IButler got warm again and
aid: "lie ( I'illmnar) taiks abjout my
mouth being a vehicle for tilth. God
save t'me sewer pipes of this c intry if
hs mouth is not worse than any sewer
pipe I know of.".
This was greeted by lou-I cheers for
Tillman which cor~tinued for a few sec
onds. l esumning, General Bitler said:
"The ligures on this Dispensary matter
I secured from competen. authority
and not from the whiskey trust. Why
doesn't he answer and give facts; s ty
whether they are true or not and rnot
indulge in nonsense and idle stuff!
which has no reason in It."
Tillman: "I have dtenied what you
charge."
General Butler: "I have secured
these figures from proper sources and
when he answers them I will have
something else to say. lHe intimates
that I am not paying my debts. If I
had the Diepensary at my back with
the hundreds of thousands in it I would
pay my debts and feather my nes':, If I
was like some people. Any man who
says tnt 1(do not pay my honest debts
says a falsehoo'l. Tillmian talks like he
is a rich man. I am a poor ;man and I
can't help it. I have done my duty to
myself and my country."
The cheering for Tillman had gradu
ally grown louder and more freouent
during Butler's remarks~ and it broke
into a fury ail at once. Wnen the yell
in partially ceased, Butier said: "i~e
will need all the holiering you e a give
him."
An old gray haired ex-Confederate
said to Butler: "Yxou used to lead me
right in war. ie (liman) leads me
ICOXNTINUED) ON P'AGE FO'UR I
LARRY GANTT HITS BACK.
HE REFUSES TO BE TURNED OUT OF
THE ALLIANCE.
ie Climtn that a Whirewauhtnz Commit
to Rtecoimnded His Fxpuzblon from
tha Order-Sav 1e is Rasdy to Prove
H 1- Chatges Agalnst Danc4n.
S1'AI-TANnUcRo. S. C, Aug. 1-The
article printed below, written by Edi
tor Gantt. of the Piedmont Headlight,
on his expulsion by the State Alliance
from that Order, was published in this
week's issue of the Headlight. Here is
the article:
The editor of the Piedmont Ilead
light was the first journalist in Geor
zia to espouse the Alliance demands.
le has also the distinction of publish
ing the only daily paper in America
that supported Alliance principles.
And it was on account of this defense
we lost our position as managing edi
tor of the Athens Banner. The direc
tors of the paper came to us and stated
that unles3 we stopped advocating the
Alliance, that our resignation as editor
would be asked for. We told those di
rectors that these principles were right
and just, and we intended to stand by
them if it made us a pauper. We were
displaced and another party given our
job. Afterwards we were elected edi
tor ot the Georgia Alliance organ,
which position we held until our health
gave way, when the State Alliance
pamsAd highly complimentary resolu
tioLa of thanks to us. We have never
made one dollar out of the Alliance but
on the other hand have sacrificed half
of what we had accumulated by bat
tling for the farmers.
The above are facts and every state
ment can be substantiated by leading
Alliancemen in Georgia, who will tell
you how hard, devotedly and unselfish
ly we have labored for their movement.
We came to South Carolina because
the Alliance in Georgia had decided to
go into the Populist party, and we
knew it meant destruction to their
movement. We had the confidence of
the members and would not fight them
but, at the same time we determined
not to aid in any effort that we knew
must result in their injury. When we
took charge of the Columbia Register,
we found this same Third party senti
ment in South Carolina, but did all in
our power to suppress it, and succeed
ed. As a result in our sister State of
Georgia, the Alliance lost all it iad
gained, and the order three fourths or
more of its members; while in South
Carolina the farmers are in the saddle,
they have made the Ocala platform the
platform of their State, and control
every office from United States Senator
to coroner.
We are not working for either gain
or applause,- but shall hew square to
the line, fearlessly and unflinchingly
stand by our principles and convictions
and Dlace our trust in the people. And
another thing: We do not propose to
keen back any information from the
people that we may possess, for they
are intelligent and patriotic, and have
a right to be informed on all public
matters.
O, tL line, some months ago, it be
came our duty to expose the manage
ment of the State AlliancE Exchange.
We stated nothing but facts, and can
prove before any unablased and disin
terested committee, every charge we
have nade against the management of
D'Arcy P. Duncan.
1. We charged Mr.Duncan with try
irg to make his brethren in Spartat
burg county pay the Exchange $1.80
per ton more for guano than an agent
for the same company was selling the
same brand of goods for, and that our
county trade agent, Mr. Burtor, had
to write Duncan several letters before
he cculd get any satisfaction from him.
T'his charge we can substantiate by
Mr. Burton himself, and by any num
ber of Alliancemen. Now, we contend
that there Is something radically wrong
with the management of the State Ex
change when Ailianeemen must use
outside competition to force their
manager into reducing prices.
2. We charge that Manager Duncan
stated on the stand at Spartanburg that
he paid $1750 for a sewing machine
that sells for $18 25. We had a stand
ing offer in the Headlight to sell the
dentical machine, to any farmer, at
only $14; we also proposed to Mr. Dun
an at hImani to ship him one of these
machines, and let it be compared with
the machine he says cost him $17.50,
and if a committee did not say that
they were identically the same ma
hines,then we would present the one
we ordered to the Exchange. So Man
ager Duncan either misstated facts or
he is not a competent man to conduct
the business for ;our farmers, when a
weekly n ewspaper can purchase a sew
og machine at $350 less than the State
Exchange, that receives them by the
ar load.
3. We publish a letter written by
Mianager Duncan to an Alliance brother
t Boiling Springs, In this county, so
iciting from him a letter endorsing the
Exchange, for publication in the Cot
on Plant. But so far from this Alli
ameman giving the endorsement asked
he states to us ihat be ordered some
rour and molasses through the Erx
hange, and the ilaur cost him 90 cents
er barrel more than mer':hants sold
he same brand for, while the molasses
was billed ten cents a gallon over thA
market price. We can give the name
>f this brother if desired, and he is the
urchasing agent for his lodge.
4. We charge that Manager Duncan
in direct violation of a plain statute of
he State of South Carolina, has been
sing his railroad passes to travel over
South Carolina in his private interest
mnd conduct his Dolitical campaign.
Now can tne Alliance afford to con
one or endorse such a plain and
shameless violation of our la ws in one
f its highest oflcials? We say not.
5 We are prepared to prove that
\anager D~uocan has been buying
ools for Alliancemen from retail mer
chats in Columbia-Including Lorick
& Lowrance. Governor Tillman's bit
erest enemies-and that charging his
rothers a higher price for these goods
han the same merchants sold to tarm
rs for.
Now, these are the only charges we
ave made against Mr. Duncan as busi
ess Manager of the State Exchange,
r with which the Alliance has to deal.
We have charged him with political
isloyalty against the Reform move
ment, and using his powers as chair
man of the board of railroad commis
sioner~ to unjustly oppress the people,
but they are matters foreign to the
province :>f the Alliance, and the peo
ple will pass upon them at the polls.
At the Inman Alliance we met Mr.
Duncan face to face, recited our char
ges in his presence and before fifteen
hundred people, and we can prove by
every person present that he did not
answer a single one.
On the other hand, he appealed to the
prejudice of the people because he was
a farmer, when Mr. Duncan is no more
of a farmer than his opponents,
having held oflce In Columbia for
many years. He claimed that the Ex
hange had reduced prices, when he
knows that the reduction in the price
of all manner of goods is owing to a
contraction of currency, for the same
rices rule in State where there is no
in about one hours' time. The men
who made that first "vindication," and
which Manager Duncan was ashamed
to use, have now gone to work and du
plicated their job. And then, in order
to add insult to the injury that they
have done a brother member, they pub
lish tolthe world the libel that "having
failed to get Mr. Gantt before them in
person," when they well know that we
were never summoned to the State Al
lianco, and when this self same com
mittee was in session in Columbia that
we asked them to postpone matters for
two days so that our business would
premit us to appear before them.
But our enemies did not stop here
but in their desire to crush us, have
gone to work and attacked our loyalty
to our order-and an order, too, for
which we have spent our time and our
means striving to foster and build up.
Here is their report, in which our ex
pulsion is recommended: .
"The committee to whom was re
ferred the resolutions to investigate
the conduct of T. L. Gantt, editor of
the Piedmont Headlight, and a mem
ber of the Farmer's Alliance, would re
spectfully submit:
"C'hat as such editor he uns persis
tently used the columns of his piper in
preferring promiscuous charges against
a brother member, D, P. Dun'an, the
State Exchange agent, instead of pro
ceeding according to the provisions as
expressed by the constitution, Section
4, article 15
"rhat in thus using the columns of
his paper he not only violates the spirit
and a letter of Alliance laiv, and brings
discredit upon the order, but forfeits
i.he condition upon which editors are
eligible to membership under section 1.
aTticle 10.
"In view of the above violation of
the constitution, we recommend that
he be expelled from the order.
"Signed: W. 0. Tatum, J. R. Blake,
Jr., J. D. Montgomery, J. C. Elliott, J.
L. Smith."
.Now we appeal to the just, rational
and fair-minded Alliancemen through
out this country, who we feel will say
that a brother member has been wrong
fully and shamefully treated.
But we don't intend that this matter
shall end here. We shall appeal to the
president of our county Alliance to
appoint a fair and impartial committee
who will give us a hearing, and before
whom we can make our charges and
bring our witnesses. As an Alliance
man in good standing, we have a right
to demand this act of justice and pro
tection and we know that the sub
lodges in Spartanburg county will all
unite in asking that this be done. This
thing of condemning a man unheard is
a parody on justice, a shame upon any
convention that countenances such,
and we do not propose to quietly sub
mit to it. When this county commit
tee reports the people will know all
the facts, for we have ready reliable
witnesses by whom we can establish
every charge that we have made
against Manager Duncan. If the Head
light has misrepresented Mr. Duncan,
let censure be put upon us; but we
have not misrepresented him, and are
ready and axaious to prove every state
ment made.
To expel a member you must try him
before his sub-Alliance, and this we
are ready for. The Headlight is not an
Alliance organ, while supports and
dorses the principles. We publish a
political newspaper, and intend to keep
our readers posted as to all public mat
entersithat transpires. If we must have
a gag put upon us, and are forbidden to
lay any information before our readers
except such i s the State Alliance judi
ciary committee sees fit and proper to
have published, then we shall at once
resign our membership in the organiza
tion, for our selfrespect, our manhood
and our duty to our people forbid us to
accept such servitude. That day has
passed, never to return, when informa
tion must be kept from the people and
only given to a chosen few. Our far
mers are now educated, and they are
the jury to which we shall always ap
peal, and whatever we learn they shall
know also, if it affects their interest or
welfare.
But while that committee were pass
icg their vote of censure against the
Headlight editor, and demanding our
expulsion because we "preferred con
spicuous charges against brother D. P.
Duncan," why did they not also demand
the explusion of brother J. W. Bowden,
editor of their own organ, for bringing
'conspicuous charges" against brother
J. L. M. Ir by, the man who organized
every sub-Alliance in Laurens county,
and who is as true to our cause as the
ieedle to the pole ? The motto of the
Alliance is "equal rights to all and
special privileges to none;" then why
stngle out brother Gantt and arraign
Lim for attacking brother Duncan, over
looking the fact brother Bowden has
lenounced brother Irby in even harsher
anguage than we have ever used to
ward Manager Duncan? And again,
:he Cotton Plant Is your State Alliance
)rgafl, and you have jurisdiction over
its columns, as it is kept up by a month
.y appropriation from the State Ex
~hange. Q.1 the other hand, the coin
nittee has no juridiction whatever over
he Piedmont Headlight, and neither
5hall they ever have any control over
ts;columns so long as the present edi
or remains at its helm. It is a piece
>f brazen impertinence on the part of
~hat committee to designto middle with
his paper, while condoning, by silence,
.n their own organ just what the
[Ieadlight is charged with.
The proceedings of the State Alli
mece convention plainly show that it
was captured in the interest of certain
politicians, and was used to defeat
governor Tillman for the Uuited States
Senate and to crush every man who is
tis friend and supporter. This was
proven by the great interest that the
>1d ring and Haskellite organs manl
rested in the proceedings, and when
bhese papers were given out news be
rore our owen members were informed.
And we are also told that "more than
rour-liths of the delegates were Ellerbe
:nen !" Well, this ascounts for the in
iustice done the editor of the Readlight,
md the attempt to pull him down.But
we accept the gauntlet cast at our feet
and intend to take up the work where
:hat so-called "investigating" commit
:ee left off, and lay before the people
~he facts and the testimony. Our Al
iancemen will then see whether or not
we have made any charges against
Mlanager Duncan but that can be sub
,tantiated by reliable witnesses.
The money to start the Exchange
was taken from the farmers, and they
lave a right to kno w just how every
ioilar has has been expended. The
Alliancemen of Georgia invested over
51i,000 in an Exchange, under the
:barge of as honest a board of directors
as ever lived; and yet their manager in
;hree years' time had gotten away with
nore than half of their entire capital,
mnd only $1,500 In cash were found in
:he treasury when the expose was made
Now, with this lesson before our Alli
unetnen, we do not believe that they
will rest content with any such white
washing reports as that made by the
:ommittee. We do not charge Mana
ger Duncan with appropriating money
:hat does not belong to him; but we do
assert, and can prove, too, that as the
State Exchange is now operated our
Alliance members must use outside
:ompetihion to batter down its prices.
I'here3 are now $17,000 in this E xchange
belonging to the farmers, and we learn
that annnto $350of this sum is due,
Alliance Exchange as in South Caro
lina. le boasted of reducing the rail
road freights on fertilizers, but did not
tell his people that he also permits
these roads to charge one-half cent per
mile more passerger tariff than tte
same lines exact in other States; and
whtle the rates or third class freight
from Baltimore t' Spartanburg are 48
cents, goods are hauled through our
city and 150 miles further on to Ath
ens,Ga.,for only 25cents! Mr. Dun
can says this is at:ributable to the fact
that those Georgia cities have water
transportation. This is not true so far
as Athens is concerned, for it is fifteen
miles further from water navig-Ition
than Spartanburg.
Now it was far from our desire to
misrepresent Manager Duncan, and it
is also our earnest desire to have this
business investigated to the very bot
tom by the State Alliance. We stated
both through our paper and on the
stand that if a full and rigid investiga
tion of our charges were made, and it
was shown that we had done the Alli
ance Exchange or its manager the
slightest injustice, that we would
cheerfully and freely make the correc
tion. So with this end in view, we
transmitted to the State Alliance by
Dr. M. 0. Rowland, delegate from
Spartanburg dounty, the following
communication:
"To the State Alliance:
"1 have called attention in the Ped
mont Headlight to the reports which
had come to me as its editor, concern
ing the management af the State Alli
ance Exchange, whereby the Alliance
men were charged excessive prices
for fertilizers, sewing machAmes and
other articles; and the manager of the
Exchange having entered into a con
troversy with my paper. in which he
denies the reports; and Alliancemen in
different parts of the State having
manifested considerable interest in
having the correctness of those reports
established or refuted; and inasmuch
as the manager of the Exchange has
constituted me the prosecutor in the
matter and the -epresentative of the
complainant; it is a matter of vital in
terest to the fature usefulness ot the Al
liance Exchange that these reports be
inquired into.
"1 respectfully petition that a com
mittee of five Alliancemen be appoint
ed by your honorable body, who Ahall
be authorized and empowered to make
a full, complete and thorough investi
gation of the business management of
the Exchange during the past three
years, and that they have power to
take testimony of witnesses, to receive
testimony of witnesses, to receive and
collect letters, papers and documents,
to appoint a bookkeeper if Decessary,
and to make their report to the presi
dent of the State Alliance; and in order
that it may be fairly, impartially and
satisfactorily done, that the manager
of the State Exchange be permitted to
select two of the committee, your peti
tioner two, and these four to select the
fifth, which last shall be chairman of
the committee, that said committee be
required to accompany their report
with all the testimony which they shall
take, and all the letters, papers and
other documents which they shall col
lect. T. L. GANTT."
Now, we ask every reasoning Alli
man in South Caroiina,is not the above
proposition entirely fair to both Mana
ger launcan and ourself, and whom he
had made the prosecutor? We pre
samed that the honor of the order, and
consistency to the professions and plat
form, would demand of the State Alli
ance that the very bottom facts be got
ten at in this Ex:change business, for
as an honorable body they could not
afford to endorse anything that smacks
of whitewashing or a cut-and-dried
report. All we asked, and what alone
will satisfy the people, too, will he that
the business transactions of this State
Exchange for the past three years be
thoroughly ventilated and laid before
Alliancemen. Thlat there Is wrong
somewhere, and sme one is to blame,
we are thoroughly convinced. We are
prepared to establish every charge that
we have made, and defy Manager Dun
can or his friends and backers to ac
cept the perfectly fair proposition that
we have made above, and let the Alli
ancemen read the testimony taken by
an Impartial committee, chosen jointly
by the accused and the prosecutor.
And again the proposition that we
made was the fairest and best that
could be made, for to have the conven
tion investigate the Exchange business
would require at least a week, and ne
cessitate an expenditure of a large
sum of money, in summoning witness
es and examining bills.
Manager Duncan publicly . stated
both at Inman and West Springs that
he would bring our charges before the
meeting of the State Alliance at Aiken,
and where we would be summoned to
appear. We cheerfully accept this
proposition, and made all of our ar
rangements to attend that convention,
were our presenc' asked. But to our
surprise we had no notification to at
tend said meeting, and the first intima
tion received Dy us that these charges
had come up and were disposed of was
a telegram In the Greenville News, a
bitter anti paper, and which was du
plicated in the other ring-rule sheets
over our State; and so elated were
these papers over what they thought
:efeat for a man who had fought them
and their faction so long and ur~tlinch
ingly, that they gave the proceedings
that referred to us under !laming head
lines; and some of these same papers
actually penned editoriatls favorable to
the action of the Alliance-an organi
zition that they have fought so long
and slandered so villainously. Now,
it seems to us very strange that infor
mation touching the loyalty of a
brother member, who is in good standi
ing, should be given to the public be
fore even the members of our order
were made acqu-aintei with the same.
Here is the report "exonerating"
Manager Duncan:
"-The committee, alter repeated ef
forts, due notice having been
given, failed to get Mr. Gantt b-fore
them in person or with testimony, finds
the charges alleged are grcundless and
the committee fu!ly exonerate3 Miim
ager Duncan of said charges.
W. N. Eider, Chairman.
Now, bear in :ntnd that the above
report was made without summoning
us before the Stai e Alliance, or hearing
our charges or giving us an opportuni
ty to p'roduce oiar vritnesses. 11ow
then does this commir."e know that
our "charges are grouiluless ?" and in
publishings their proceedings, why did
they omit to also give to the public the
perfectly fair proposition handed the
convention by Dr-. M. 0. Rowland ? It
simply shows to the world that these
men had organized themselves into a
whtewasbit.g committee, and trampled
every principle of justice and fairness
under foot. We asked for an oppor
tunity to present our charges and cur
witnesses, and tt.is was denied to us.
And not only this, but that report is
signed by " W. N.- Elder," the same man
who had already made a report exoner
ating Manager Duncan, and upon
whicn the whitewash was so transpar
ent that even its beneliciary refused to
use It. Now, for Mr. E'.der to have
made any other report, or have accept
ed our propositIon, would be acknow
legement that he had not oischarged
his duty in the first instance, when his
committee pretended to examine into
three years' business of the State E ix
hange, and vindicate its management.
Spartanburg county. Spveral of our
county Alliances have asked their
share of this fund returned to them,
as they feel that they can use it to bet
ter advantage than Manager Duncan is
doing. But this claim, so we are told,
has been refused. Then we do say, If
our people's money must be kept back
from them and against their wishes,
and they petitioning for it, the n it is
right and fair that a report he mad- so
that each Allianceman can kno just
how every cent received by the Ex
change, under its present managment,
has-been expended.
So far as the prnciples of the Alli
ance are concerned, they are firmly
implanted in our bosom, and we shall
uphold and defend them as lang as life
lasts. But when we see our movement
turned over to politicians, and the nist
palp'Ae acts of injustice done a inern
Der, then shall we expose the outrage
and shame. Our principles cannot be
tray or mislead us, but men can. and
only too often do, betray and mislead
Lip.
BUTLER MEN IN COUNCIL.
They Ley Claim t) About E'gLteeu Conu
ties tor the Sanator.
COLUMBIA, S. C., August 1.-The
first real big political gathering that
has occurred during the present month
took place in Columbia yesterday. It
was a gathering of the friends of Sena
tor M. C. Butler, who came to canvass
the outlook for his re-election. It was
a representative body of men, and men
were here from thirty-three out of
thirty-five counties in the State, while
reports were received from every coun
ty. All along the Senator's friends
have been working quietly, but now
they are beginning to step to the front.
Their unexpected appearance in the
Capital yesterday caused quite a flutter
among the Reform politicians. The
significant fact is that the Senator's
friends now lay claim to eighteen
counties.
Yesterday was a lively day politic il
ly in many respects, as will be seen in
the columns of the State today, and
this Butler conference was one of the
features. The men, which composed
the conference, were aboit equally di
vided among Conservatives and Refor
mers. There were about sixty-Live or
seventy-five present. It looked like
'old tIm3' ' convention times to see
them gathered about the lobby of the
Hotel Jerome in the forenoon, all ap
parently beat on business. They made
no "bones" abaut saying what they
were here for. It was soon ascertained
that there were several men from near
ly every county here to report the sta
tus in their several counties, and ex
change views. This was probauly the
last conference they will have before
the election.
It has been known for some time
that, while the Butler men were con
ducting a quiet campaign, they were
well orgamzed, and were at work in
every county and township in the
State. A correspondent in writing
from Rock Hill, on the occasion of the
opening meeting of the campaignsaid:
"Certaiit is that Gan. Butler's cam
paign is conducted by business men in
a business like manner and there is no
counting on the force that their untir
ing efforts will develop." Certala it is
now that the still hunt, the house to
house campaign, the township and
county work has been prosecuted with
unfailing zeal and organization and
from present indications there is sure
to be something drop.
Yesterday an Anderson county far
mer-one of the straightforward kind,
when asked about the conference said:
"Yes, I am here from my county in at
tendance upon a Butler conference,
and if you men who don't think the
gallant old General has got a showing
could you have heard Capers read five
to fifteen letters from every township
in every county In the State and heard
the reports from the delegates present,
you would have opened your eyes as
big as moons. I am a pslain farmer
and belong to the Alliance, but we
have been fooled long enough by that
selfsh, salary drawing Ben Tillman,
and we believe that In peace, as always
in war. Gen. Butler will be able and
willing to be the best and most patriot
ic friend and worker for the people of
the State. We farmers find our taxes
higher, and instead of peace. prosperi
ty and prohibition in the State, we ind
bitterness, strife, slow business and the
State dispensary; and in my humble
judgment the light has at last been
thrown on and Tillman has no longer
the sympathy and support of the farm
ers he has fooled.
"We farmers are Independent folks
and as much 'quality folks' as you are,
and when a man of line family, like
Tilman, gets down on our platform
and we ride him into big office. we ex
pect a great deal of him;~ and when he
fools us. as he has done, man--let me
tell you, the farmers could eat fire.
He has given us no Comptroller's re
ports to help us with our fertilizers,
has saved us no money, and in no in
stance, h as he reduced taxation. We,
on the other hand, find that Gen. But
ler has never misJled or fooled us, and
we are for him. Anderson will elect
Butler men, and, in addition to the
thirteen counties now for Builer, put
down Anderson, Edgefield, Colleton,
Clarendon and Hampton. I have kin
folks by the dozen in all of these and
I know what I am talking about."
While such expressions came from
farmers who were here, there were at
the conference business men and pro
fessional men, who had come from
their homes to report Butler's strength
in their respective sections. The con
ference was a secret one and there was
little, if anything, given out for publi
cation, but it is indeed significant that
the Aiken Alliance convention, Eller
be's attack on Go-vernor Tillman, as to
the opening of the dispensary, without
law or authority; Senator Irby's attack
on Congressman McLaurinette new is
sue. which it is said Is brnging out
men for the Legislature in every coun
ty, irrespective of Butler or Tillman
(men who propose to run on the issue
of repealing the dispensary law,) and
then this businesslike and potential
demonstration of strength for Batler
should so closely follow each other.
The Butler men seem well satisfied
with the outloek-State.
Andrew Jackson'd Grave.
NAsnTILLE. Tenn., Aug. 1.--infor
matIon was received to-day from "The
Hermitage," where General Andrew
Jackson's remains are buried, that his
grave was disturbed last night by some
unknown person or persons. A hole
eighteen inches in debth and three feet
in length was dug at the head of the
grave, but the parties were frightened
away before they accomplish tneir ob
ject. The Hermitage is twelve miled
from this city.
The desecration of general Jackson's
grave was discovered at an early hour
to-day and the fact Immediately report
ed to the Ladies Hermitage Association
A long plank was 1t. lying beside the
grave. Suspicion rests upon a well
dressed negro for whom the authorities
are now looking. He went to the resi
dence of a white man living half a mile
from the Hermitage yeserday afternoon
and borrowed a shove), which he re
turned this morning. While near the
Hermitage he made some inquires
ahot Jackson's tomb.
is:.lfUATION
ASO N THROU,-4 THE'EYES OF fHlE
NEWS AND COURIER.
That Pape.r R'prsentr the Rformere as
Befut g-t DizxeL'14 1-0at-Not Likely to
be j. ld As i Rpresented.
COLUMBIA, S. C., July 2.-The last
forty-eisbt hours have witnessed more
significan; political events than the
entire four years previous. There has
been no end of slate smashing, and in a
word the entire political situation in
South Carolina has been turned upside
dowr in this short space of time. When
one loogs at a Reformer today especial
ly an office seeking Reformer, he no
tices that each and every one of them
has unconsciouly taken unto himself
that peculiar "where am I at" stare.
All schemes and plans have been
knocked into a cocked hat.
The action of the State Alliance 12
displaying a huge undreamed of back
bone and declaring war on everything
connected with the Tillman-Evans- Wil
son combination has stunned the Refor
mers who are about the Capital. None
of them expected to see the Alliance
develop a fighting humor, but throught
that it was going to quietly submit to
everything. Nothing else is talked of
here today but the action of the Alli
ance and its effect upon the outlook. I
ascertained before leaving Aiken that a
census of the Evans and Ellerbe
strength in the Alliance had been taken
and the result was that out of the entire
membership including the officers and
committeemen, Evans had but six sup
porters. There wereramong these the
delegates from Aiken, Spartanburg,
Laurens and Georgetown.
Every one of the politicians says they
dare not try and say what will happen
now. One thing is certaiD, although
the Alliance has not fifteen thunsand
active members, its strength is greatly
dreaded. Tne cause is that each Alli
ance man is usually a middle aged man
of in fluencein the community in which
he lives, having great power over all
the younger male members of his fam
ily and over his neignbors. Then again
the Alliance organization is not only
perfect but far reaching and the results
of any such action as that taken at Al
ken can extend to the very uttermost
backwoods district quicker than any
political machine can carry it there.
Ellerbe's friends are somewhat jubi
lant over the result of the Alliance
meeting. They consider that the ac
tion of the body in expelling Gantt was
a heavy blow to the Evans side-ja4t
as heavy as the "Legislature" resolu
tions were to the Tillman side.
Now there was one thing which
neither I nor any other correspondent
heard of at Aiken. The Alliance after
passing its own resolution in regard to
how the members of the body should
vote, went to work and endorsed those
Marion County Alliance resolutione
along the same line by a big majority.
But the Alliance's action is not all
that has paralyzed the office seekers.
The action of Dr. Pope has created
another stunning wave for the Reform
leaders. It is true that Eilerbe and
Tindal have sent in their pledges, but
there is nothing to prevent these two
withdrawing them. It looks to me as
if the fight will finally narrow do wn to
a battle in the general primary election
between Ellerbe and Evans. Yet I am
told that Ellerbe's friends are now per
fectly confident of controlling the Au
gust Convention. But all one can do
on this line is to wait and see.
It would amuse most of the people of
South Carolina to be able to be around
here a little today and hear the many
harsh terms that are being applied to
Governor Tillman by men who two
weeks ago would have kissed his feet If
he told them 30 to do. I have not
found any two "Reformers" today
who hold exactly the same views with
regard to the outlook. All agree that
the developments of the last two days
have overturned all schedules, etc., and
frankly say they do not know what
will happen next.
A good many of the Alliance mem
bers returning from the meeting at Al
ken passed through the city today.
Among them were Col. Norris, Senator
E vans, Col. Duncan and others. I no
ticed-one thing yesterday, that every
..iember of the body seemed to be per
fectly delighted with what the body
had done, and seemed to be in a more
hopeful and satisied humor than any
body of men I ever saw .just complet
ing their work .-News and Couriler.
A Slick Swindler.
NEw YORE, Aug. 1.-The arrest of
Horace ID. Baker, alias a dozen other
names, at South Vmneland, N. J5., Tues
day on a charge of forgery is an impor
tant one and will probably put a stop
to his operations for awhile. The pris
oner's right name is Robert E. Howey.
Some time in the eighties he is said to
have served a term of imprisonment in
the California State prison, after which
he went to Montana and from there to
Topeka, Kas , where under the name of
Robert H1. Alexander he claimed to be
engaged by the publisning house of
Rand, McNally & Co. of Chicago. Here
he connected himself with the order of
Good Templars, Y. M. C. A. and other
religious and charitable organizations
and, it is said, married the daughter of
a very respectable family. His crimi
nal operations extended over several
Western States, notably Montana and
Colorado, In 1889 he was arrested for
forgery at Washington, D. C., and sen
tenced to three years Imprisonment.
After his release be continued his crim
inal career, committing forgeries in
Elmira, Cleveland, Chicago and several
other places. Hie usually prepared for
his forgeries by entering into corre
spondence with some minister or oinl
cer of somne religious organizatIon in
the city where he proposed to operate.
lie then followed up this correspon
dence with a visit. He is well versed
in the ritual of the order of Good Tem
Diars, understands the Bible thorough
lv, is well acquiainted withi Christian
Endeavor woiK, conversant with books
and authors, and the apparent sincerity
of his addresses and prayers at religious
meetings alway s brought him hosts of
frieras from wnom he soon picked out
some one to introduce him to the bank
he proposed to swindle, lHe then de
posited a small amount and for a short
time kept a running baik account and
lially deposited a rorged draft against
which he woul draw 1.nd then disap
pear. The prisoner is wantel by the
police thiroughou: the United States
and already reqisitions' are being pre
pared for bimn m several other States
including~ Maryland and Massachu
setts.
Strot the Ghost.
COLU.UUs, Led., Ju'y 31.-Dr. C.
Bek was visiting his sweetheart, Miss
Grace Cohee, at Newbern, when she
took it muto her head to frighten him by
playing ghost. She left him en the
veranda, sarmar she was going for a
drink. She threiv a sheet over her head
and came up'on him suddenly from
arou~d the heuse. Dc. B ack drew his
revolver and called on the uisure to stop.
He called three times, but the girl heed
ed him riot. Then the doctor shot
twice. Oi.n ball entered Miss Cohe9's
abdomen and another is iotted in her
leg Sa. will n robably die.