University of South Carolina Libraries
Evans and Stokes Again. Hon, Wade Hampton, Washington, DEAR SIR : Your letter addressed to tis and published in the State and Register of the 19th instant has had our careful attention, and candor compels us to say that as a reply to tbe questions we propounded it is a great disappointment. It will prove a disappointment to the great organisation of farmers we represent, whom you attempted to read ont of tbe Democratic party. It will prove a grievous disappointment to the great mass of onr people who hon? estly believe that the principles underlying, the Ocala platform are identical with the Democracy of Jenersen and the party he founded ; yet, moved by memories of past association and confidence were willing even to hold conviction itself in abeyance nntil the man they had trusted in the past might at least give reasons for the bull of excom? munication he had issn ed against them It will be a disappointment because yon distinctly deeline to answer the questions asked-perfectly plain questions-that embody every princi? ple involved in the Ocala platform and that might nave been answered in mnch less space than you have actually used, lt is a disappointment all around and more than all because your remarks are not characterized by our accustomed straigtforward? ness and courtesy. Remembering that the people of this State bad repeatedly honored you for your reputed liberality and statesmanlike cast of mind we pur? posely dicarded verbiage about which more or less prejudice had collected and asked you to discuss great principles that lie behind that verbiage. Yon decline to discuss principles and talk about platforms Since you ha\ e chosen aller a month of deliberation t^o bring " the diseua 8^nfdo|fil fton?^th?' broad plane : of s&t&mjiaship upon which ont qoes upon ine low plane of narrow faction? al politics in this State why, perforce we must to some extent tiy to play the politician, too. 1. In the first place, then, you dispose the first Ocala demand, against the nat?o nal banks, thus: "So sud) demand is made by the Democratic party. It may have escaped your memory, if you ever knew the fact, that these banks hold charters which do not expire nntil 19u7, so that there will be some difficulty in the immediate abolition of the national ?banks." Indeed, and, because; forsooth, there is difficulty in the way it is undemo? cratic (that is what yoe were toi show) to aj?&*?, B?wev?? right! eous the principle. Is that the position, General, to which yon would.commit yourself and uaT What Have honor? able men of spirit to do with diffi '^??y^^wl?er? principle is involved? But are you sure, General, that no such^|e^M!hi^i8 mace"by the Dejnorf Tomorrow y our own choice phrase olo^^aWus^wWch TieSktrt* assures us is studiously courteous) **It may have escaped your memory, if you ever knew, the fact," that the Democratic platform of 1856 contains the following plank : "Congress has no power to eharter a National Bank, j We believe such au institution one of deadly hostility to the best interests of the. country, dangerous to our Bepublican institutions and the liberties of the people, and. calculat? ed gj?^, place the business of the country within the control of a concentrated s, money power and abovje jfoe laws and the will of tbe people.r Moreover, "it may have escaped your memory, if you ever knew the fact," that this plank was reaffirmed in the platform of 1860, coupled with the declaration that j "Democratic principles are un-1 changeable in^ their nature when | applied to the same subject matters." ??It may have escaped your memory," j roo, "if you ever knew the fact," I that every Democratic platform ever j uttered by the party (save the first) \ down to 1864, contained precisely ? that same strong language against national banks. If, then, as the party has more than once declared its "principles are uncbaDgeable," it is a little difficult to find justification for your charge of political heresy ; against those of us who in 1893 hold ! to this principle that from 1840 to 1864 was the height ol Democratic 1 virtue. You Ray the sub-treasury idea is unconstitutional. Well, teally, j honored sir, we thought it rainer i beneath your dignity to go cracking I State political chestnuts like that, j Your reading must have been exceed? ingly limited if you did not know of as prominent a Democratic lawyer as Judge Norwood of Georgia, and others of equal prominence had ex ! pressed a contrary opinion. But j suppose we admit that the scheme is unconstitutional ; does that debar us ! from agitating it ? If it be a good I thing for the masses under the1 changed conditions and progress of j the nineteenth century, why should | the Constitution forever stand be? tween the people and its enjoyment ? Are you serious, General, when you teach by implication that it is un? democratic to seek any change in the Constitution, however righteous and desirable that change may be ? And mark you, it was the democracy of this demand you were to discuss. 3. You dismiss our demand free coinage of silver with the sim question : "Is this demand in cordance with the Democratic pl ? form ?" And is this the best tl can be done ? You set out to eh that it did not conform to t Democratic platform. You only t us if it does. Assuming that y j ask io good faith, we, at least, w not evade a direct question, so * ? answer unhesitatingly, yes, it doe and was so held by the brainiest a best Democrats in the United Stat Senate-such men as Morgan a Daniel, and Irby and Butler, anc host of others. To borrow another choice phra directed to us (and which we s assured is studiously courteous) "y have, we suppose, read the Dem eratic platform, and if you compar it" with the Ocala you will see th both condemn the Sherman H< Thus far they are identical. T j Ocala then demands "in lieu there the free and unlimited coinage ! silver." The Democratic goes on i.say : "We hold to the use of bo gold and silver as the standard mou< of the country and to the coinage ^both gold and silver without disc mi nating against either metal charge for mintage." The meanii is precisely the same. The read ir public will note how signally y< have failed not only to jostffy yoi charge that "no man who. upboh the Ocala platform can proper claim to be a Democrat," bul even show that the platforms are whol antagonistic. 4- You think it a sufficient answi to our demand for the ownership < railroad and telegraph lines, i certain contingencies, that it woul cost several times as much as tl civil war. Supposing this wei true, that does not prove it undemocratic-and that is what yo set out to show, mark you. Yo were to prove that "no man wh upholds" this "can properly claim t be:*a Dem?icrat,^- and you simpl argoethat ii. is costly ! Again w ask-what have honorable and spirit ed men to do* with cash where pru ciple is involved ? Away with sue sordid standards of expediency ! Le os probe these questions to the core and if the principle be correct am best for the masses of the people, le us maintain them though they cos myriads of rooney and men. Tha was the spiiit that animated th< Democratic party in 1860. They di< not stop to count up costs when th? rights of the people were threatened The rights of the people are threat ened to-day. It is a questior whether the people shall own th? railroads .or be owned by them Already in this State insolvent rail roads refuse to pay taxes and bold I j ?d defiance to the ; people. But are we shut in to buying these roads already built at the fraudulently in? flated valuation of watered stock ? Il the fraudulent water were squeezed ou? of them, the actual cost would probably not exceed a fourth of the amount claimed What is to hinder &eJJovernmeiif %o?n -^milcjing its own lines ? Certainly-such an enter? prise-would be a- God send to the three million men who are to-day moneyless and homeless, with starv? ing wives and children around them, simply because the National banker's panic has stopped the wheels ot in? dustry and dammed up misery upon the people. A Democratic adminis? tration is spending millions a year in permanent structures for the safety and distribution of the mails. What woold be the difference in principle between doing this and constructing lines for the transmission of those mails ? A measure that at the same time protects the invaded rights of the people and furnishes a general relief from an overshadowing men? ace, looks very distinctly D?mocratie to us, and it will take something more, General, than an exaggerated estimate of cost, to frighten the peo? ple from it. 5. You say in regard to our demand for the election of United States Senators by the people, that it will require a change of the Consti tion to effect this. There is no news in that. "Yon have, we suppose, read the demand" as printed in the body of your article, and you must have seen that it is distinctly a demand to change the Constitution. You fail utterly iu this, as in pre? vious instances, to adduce a single argument why it is undemocratic to propose a needed change in the Consti? tution. You say you "hardly think that the change will be made in time to allow anj' of the present young aspirants of the Alliance to test their strength before the people." Just what bearing this little fling at the ''young aspirants of the Alliance" has upon the undemocracy of the demand (that is what you were to prove) is not apparent. You say you "have never denounced the Alliance." Perhaps not; but covert fling at its leaders has been a favorite way of trying to injure it among people who for political rea? sons dare not denounce it openly. 6 Yes, as a rule we as individuals ! oppose the State bank proposition of the Democratic platcorm. But what has that to do with the Ocala plat? form which you set out to prove i inconsistent with the Democratic ? j "You have, we suppose, read" the I Ocala platform, and if you did you I must have seen that it makes no ! reference whatever to State banks, j What bearing then has our individual j opinions upon your proposition that I "no man who upholds (the Oe platform) can properly claim to be Democrat ?" But if we are to be kicked out the Democratic party because we individuals oppose one plank in t party platform, we will have a gooc contingent in our company. We v have a majority of the Democrats the United States Senate who oppos the administration view of the silt plank of that platform, and we w have with us the great masses of t American people What constitutes the test of Democrat anyway in this degenera day ? Is it unquestioning adhesi to every plank of the Democrat platform ? ls it fidelity to principle* Certainly not, if we are to judge 1 the practice of the party. We ha gold-bug Democrats, a.?d free silv Democrats, and National bank Dem crats, and greenback democrats, fr trade democrats and protection De ocrats and tariff for revenue Dem crats. The party of free trade elected mo than once a high protectionist to tl highest position in the gift of Democratic Congress ; and even nc a former Republican candidate for tl Presidency occupies the highe p?ace in the cabinet by appointme of a Democratic President who h behind him a Democratic Congre and the whole machinery of go eminent. If adherence lo evai plank of the platform we necessary to constitute a man Democrat, then Samuel J. Randall, pronounced protectionist, cou never have been Speaker of a Dem eratic Congress ; and Walter ( Gresham, former Republican cand date for the Presidency, could nev< be chief adviser of a Democrat President. What then is the so test of a nan's democracy under th practice of the party ? Evidently it his support of- the nominees in th general election. Finally, after all your scmewhi lengthy discussion you find only fiv out of twelve points upon which yo take issue with the Ocala platforrr You distinctly agreed with two, a does "every Democrat" you say To that extent you yourself uphol the Ocala platform, and under you own ruling you cannot "proper! claim to be a Democrat " The most casual reading of ou letter will show that we made m objection to your organizing what ii the last analysis, would be Demo eratic clubs independent of our Stat Democratic organization. But w< had no concern about that. Wi simply asked you to explain you statement that "no man who uphold: the Ocala platform can properly clain to be a Democrat." You refus?e point blank to answer the questions w< asked, and proceeded to compare plat forms with the result shown above that not even on that ground coule you defend your charge against us This effort to make ii appear that we objected to your organizing Democratic clubs is entirely apart from the question you yourself raised, and is not warranted by anything we wrote. It appears to be in line with your other efforts to read Alliancemen out of the Democratic party and dis? credit the "young Alliance" leaders, while professing great respect for the organization. W. D. EVANS, President South Carolina State Alli? ance. J. W. STOKES. Lecturer South Carolina State Alli? ance. _ -^--? Tillman's Latest Method of En? forcing a Bad Law. COLUMBIA, January 1. The State board of control sends greetings to all of the towns and cities in the State. The New Year's gift is a little late, but it is in ample time. Without much ado the board to-day decided that the municipalities where dispensaries are located would have to hurry up with the co-operation act or forfeit their pittance of the profits. The board bas graciously allowed the town authorities until the 15th of the month in which to make up their official minds aod advise Governor Tillman of their determination. The question is a serious and impor? tant one, and up to this time is bj far the most consequential phase of the Dispensary Act. It looks very much as if an innocent looking little clause will result io the State getting not only the lion's share, but everything else. The promised revenue to the cities is likely to be mythical, and as a result the municipal taxes are pretty sure to be increased. The temper of the board was shown to-day when the meeting was held Wheu Mr. Kllerbe and Mr. Buchaoan eutered Governor Tillman's office they were told about Governor Tillman's interview with Mayor Fisher and the result of that interview-no action by city council. He asked the members what they thought of it and both said that the law ought to be enforced. It was then agreed to communicate with the authorities, and Governor Tillman opened his drawer, dTew out a paper which was signed by the board and forwarded. There is no mistaking its j significance It reads : To the Mayor and Aldermen of the City of Columbia-Gentlemen : Notice j is hereby given that the State board of I control in the exercise of their judg? ment, as required by the Dispensary Act recently passed, have determined that the contingency has arisen io your city for the enforcement of the proviso to Section 10 of the Dispensary Act, which says : "That if the authorities of any towu or city, io the judgmeot of the State board of control, do not enforce this law, the State board may withhold the part goiog to the said towD or city and use it to pay State constables. " After the 1st ?day of January, 1894, and until further notice, such part of the dispensary profits coming from Colombia will be withheld by the board and used to pay constables in the ?enforcement of the law made necessary by the attitude of the city authorities of your city, as shown by the action of the city coancil on Friday night, in even refusing to consider the matter. Yours respectfully, B R. TILLMAN, Governor, W. H. ELLERBE, Comptroller Gen., O. W. BUCHANAN, Attorney Gen., State Board of Control. The City of Colombia need not expect a dollar's revenue from the dispensary until it knuckles down to the State board. Other municipalities are in the same boat. From the drift of the talk it would appear that Beaufort and Darlington will soon be in the same b<->at with Co? lumbia. A report was received from Beaufort stating that thu police there did not show tbe slightest co-operation or sympathy for the dispensary law. After the dose bad been prepared for Colombia Governor Tillman prepared a circular letter, which will be sent to every dispensary town to-morrow. It is very much to the point and will cause trouble in more than ooe municipal camp. It reads : COLUMBIA, January 1, 1894. To the Municipal Authorities of -, Gentlemen : Your attention is directed to the followiug extract from Section 10 of the new dispensary law : "AU proSts, after paying all expenses of the county dispensary, shall be paid one-half to the municipal corporation in which it may be located, such settle? ments to be made quarterly : Provided, that if the authorities of any town or city which in the judgment of the State board of control do not enforce the law, the State board may withhold the part going to the said town or city and use it to pay State constables." There are ample provisions in the said act giving policemen and marshals the necessary power, without regard to any restrictions which may he in your charter. We shall be glad to have your co-operation and assistance and will expect an answer indicative of your purpose not later than the 15th of Jan? uary. Yours respectfully, B R. Tillman, Governor, W. H. Ellerbe, Compt. General, O. W. Buchanan. Att'y Gen'l, State Board of Control. So that there should be no "slip-up" about the matter Governor Tillman pre? pared the following circular : To the County Board of Control : Under tbe provisions of the new dispen? sary law it is the duty of the municipal authorities of all towns where dispen? saries are located to enforce the said act by means of the police and marshals. You will report to this office not later than the 20th of January whether such action has been taken in your county by said authorities, and whether we may expect tneir co-operation and assistance. Very respectfully, B R. Tillman, Governor, W. H. Ellerbe, Compt. Gen'l, O. W. Buchanan, Att'y Geu'l, State Board of Cootrol. - The News and Courier, Judge Hudson Dissolves Judge Fraser's Injunction. We stated in our last issue that the State authorities had made a motion to have J. M. James. E. R. James and Henry Appelt attached tor contempt of court for selling whiskey in the James establishment in violation of the injunction issued by Judge Fraser and that at the same time the attorneys the defendants, Messrs. Nettles & Nettles, had made a motion to dissolve said injunction Both motions were made before Judge Hudson. The defendants woo in both cases, Judge Hudson refused to attach them for contempt and also disolved the injunction. The following is the text of the decision : State of South Carolina, county of Darlington, in the Court of Com mon Pleas : the State of South Caro? lina, plaintiff, against J. Manigault James, defendant ; complaint for in? junction. Io this case two motions are made before me. The defendant moves,upon due notice, to dissolve the preliminary injunction obtaioed before Judge Fraser upon an ex parte application. Tbe couusel of the State moves for an attachment against said defendant for disobeying the order of injunction. I have uot changed, or modified in any particular, my views of the act of December A. D. 1892, commonly called tbe dispensary law. Continued reflection confirms me in the opinion that the said act, in its every feature, is unconstitutional,for tbe reasons assigned by me in quashing the indictments under this act in the Court of General Sessions for the county of Richland at the last Octobor term. My opinion in* those cases, and also in the Darlington dispensary cases last July, contain my views in full of the eotire act and it is needless to repeat the same here. Bot even if the act in the main was constitutional, I hold that, under our Constitution, it is incompetent for the Legislature to confer upon the court of equity criminal jurisdiotioo. The extraordinary powers of that court can - not be invoked to enforce a penal statute The appropriate tribunal for that purpose is the Court of General Sessions by indictment. This consti? tutional distribution of power cannot be disturbed by declaring tbe sale of intoxicating liquors a nuisance, with a view to give jurisdiction to the court of equity to suppress it by injunction. Equity will not enjoin an act or a series of acts as a nuisance unless the elements of a nuisance are in fact con? tained in the act. It is not enough that the act of the Legislature, declares it to be a nuisance, but it must in every truth be such in the well known sense of the term with its essential elements and features. The Legislature cannot, by altering the meaning of the English language, confer jurisdiction of fugitive crimes upon the court of- equity. Furthermore equity will not interfere by injunction to suppose an alleged nuisance until the fact of its exist? ence, if disputed, is first established by a jury The injunction, therefore must be dissolved for the reason that the act is void under the Constitution ; and even if it were not void, it must be dissolved for want of equity jurisdic? tion. Io the Court of General Sessions there is a plain, adequate and com? plete remedy for the violation of all valid laws against the sale of intoxi? cating liquors. The court of equity is not the tribunal for punishment of crimes. But for another reason the injunction must be dissolved. All controversy as-to whether J. M. James is maintaining a nuisance by violating the dispensary law, has by proper proceedings been transferred to the United States court. An action similar to the present was instituted against bim last July and such steps, by petition and bond, have been taken by the defendant as prevents the State court from proceeding further until the United States court is heard from. For these various reasons it is order? ed, adjudged and decreed that the pre? liminary injunction in this case be dis? solved and that the motion for attach? ment for contempt be dismissed. Let all the papers be filed. J. H. HUDSON, Judge 4th Circuit. At Chambers, Dec. 22, 1893. As the motions for the attachment of E. R. James and Henry Appelt for contempt are. similar they are also dismissed by this decision.-Darlington News. Salaries not Reduced. Before the Legislature met The State appealed to Governor Tillman to recall the policy of "retrenchment and re? form" which he so strenuously advoca? ted when he set about revolutionizing the State, and once more assert him? self as the reformer be was before be obtained office. We quoted from one of bis old letters to show bow every? body io the State House was overpaid, and how the cotton-purchasing value of their salaries.bad constantly increas? ed. We urged bim to put the axe to the root of official extravagance, even though he had for bis three years of office-holding stayed bis band. Governor Tillman did not respond to this appeal. On the contrary, he, in his message, opposed the only bill pro posing a reduction of salaries that was before the Legislature, and vaguely suggested some other measure, wbicb be took care not to define or to submit. The General Assembly, driven and goaded by its Conservative minority, at last passed the bill which had come over from the previous session, with amendments more or less discrimina? tive and evasive. But-after passing this measure, the Reta wm majority of the General Assembly proceeded to at? tach a rider to an appropriation bill providing that the reductions nominal? ly made in salaries should not take effect during next year, thus nullifying its previous act and making tbe whole performance a burlesque. Governor Tillman approved the appropriation bill with this provision the day after he approved the salary reduction bill, and thus saddeled the old ''extravagant" salaries on the people until the expiration of his term and the terms,of all other State officers. Justice-elect Gary bestirred himself and took the oath of office with? out a days's delay, and as his salary cannot be reduced during his term of office, this ensures him ?3,000 more duriog the six years of bis service than the salary reduction act decreed. That act will'take effect, we believe, twenty days after its approval, so the judges elect who have taken or may take the oath of office before the expiration of that period are secure from reduc? tion. It is altogether a charmiogly comic situation for the Conservatives. We dont't know if the farmers who have been seeking "reform and retrench? ment" will find it funny, but they ought to. The joke they have played on themselves in electing such a "Re? form Administration" is good enough to laugh at.-The State. It May Do as Much For You. Mr. Fred Miller, of Irving, 111., writes that ha had a Severe Kidney trouble for many years, with severe pains in his back and also that his bladder was affected. Be tried many so called Kindey eures but without any good result. About a year ago he began use of Electric Bitters and found relief at once. Electric Bitters is especially adapted to cure of all Kidney and Liver trouble and often gives al? most instant relief. One trial will prove our statement. Price oolv 50c. for large bottle. At J. F. W. DeLorme'e. 6 WASHINGTON LETTER. WASHINGTON, Jao. 1, 1894. President Cleveland, the members of bis Cabinet, and tbe ladies of their families, in accordance with a custom as old as our government, devoted New Year's Day to re? ceptions, official and general. For about four boars a procession composed of the diplomatic representatives of all the foreign governments, members of the cabinet, the justices of the Supreme Court, Congressmen, Army and Navy officers, minor officials and the general public poured through the While House where they were received by President Cleveland, assisted by Mrs. Cleveland, Mrs. Stevenson, tbe ladies of tbe cabinet and several guests of Mrs. Cleveland, including the wife of ex-Gov. Russell, of Massachusetts, and Miss Benedict, of New York. Later, receptions were held at their several residences by Vice-President and Mrs. Stevenson, and by members of the cabinet and the ladies of their families Nearly all of the Congressmen have re? turned. There was a quorum of both House and Senate at the White House reception to-day. By freely circulating among the re? turned members ot tbe House your corre? spondent endeavored to ascertain whether conference with their constituents had in? creased or decreased the opposition to the Wilson tariff bill. In one respect it is appa? rent t bat it has increased it. That is, there are more democrats who will endeavor to se? cure, in tbe caucus to be held, modifications of various clauses of the bill. Bot, as nearly all of them announce while stating their in ! tentions that they will, whether successful in getting the bill modified or not, -support the bill, it is clear tbat their opposition does not go beyond tbat which it is perfectly legitimate for strict party men to occupy towards a party measure not yet approved by a party caucus, and does not jeopardise tbe final success of the bill as approved by the caucus. Senator Voorbees is getting a heavy mai) these days, and not a few of bis letters contain requests for hearings on the tariff before the Senate finance committee of which be is chairman. None ,of these let? ters have been specifically answered, because, he believes that a circular letter which be is j now having sent ont, containing thirty odd printed questions and requesting a reply to each, w?ll enable nine-tenths 01 his corres? pondents to lay before the committee all the information in their possession relating to the effects of tariff upon their business just as well as they could if given a personal bear? ing. It is not his desire to cut any one out of a hearing and those desiring to furnish information not embraced by the printed ques? tions will, where their prominence as manu? facturers or business men justifies it, be given personal hearings. Representative Holman has not issued the call for a democratic caucus, but it is expected tbat be will do so this week. It is known tbat President Cleveland has lately given considerable attention to tbe , selection of a new public printer, and it is believed tbat be bas picked out the man and* that his nomination win go to the Senate in a few days, probably this week. Rnmor has connected the name of Chief Clerk Daniels of the Interior department, with the position. Mr. Daniels was not an applicant for the posi? tion, but bis experience as editor and publisher of newspapers in North Carolina qualifies him therefor should it turn out that he is the lucky man. Nearly every democratic Senator and Representative bas a personal prefereoce for public printer but they will all be satisfied to see the position filled by any good democrat who will give the democrats a show at tbe three thousand positions in the Government Printing Office, a very large majority of which are still filled by republicans. A new batch of rumors concerning cabinet resignations are being sent out by republican correspondents. There is just about.as mucb truth in them as in those which have been periodically sent out by tbe same men ever since the present administration came in. No action is expected in the Honse con? cerning tbe finances of tbe government until after the tariff bill has been passed. In fact the Way and Means committee, which will prepare whatever financial bill that may be determined upon, will not have aoy opportu? nity to devote any time to tbe matter until the tariff ia out of tbe way. Representative Springer wishes it under? stood that his bill for a new national cur? rency, which was made- public a few days ago, is simply his own idea. The subject has not been considered by the committee, on Banking and Currency of which be is chair? man. His principal object in making the bill public was to invite criticism and suggestion. -i i - A Quarter Century Test. For a quarter of a century Dr. King's New Discovery has been tested, and the millions who have received benefit from its use testify to its wonderful curative powers in ail diseases of Throat, Chest and Lungs. A remedy that has stood the test so long and that has given so uni? versal satisfaction is no experiment. Each bottle is positively guaranteed to give relief or the money will be refunded. It is admitted to be the most reliable for Coughs and Colds. Trial bottle Free at J. F. W. DeLorme's Drug Store. Large size 50c. and $1.00. 6 DOLLARS PER MONTH IN YOUR OWN LOCALITY made easily and honorably, without capi? tal, during your spare hours. Any man, woman, boy. or gi ri can do the work hand? ily, without experience. Talking un? necessary. Nothing like it for money? making ever offered before. Our workers always prosper. No time wasted in learning the business. We teach you in a night how to succeed from the first hour. You can make a trial without ex? pense to yourself. We start you, furnish everything needed to carry on the busi? ness successfully, and guarantee you against failure if you but follow our simple, plain instructions. Reader, if you are in need of ready money, and want to know all about the best paying business before the public, send us your address., and we will mail you a docu? ment giving you ali the particulars. TRUE & CO., Box 400, Augusta, Maine