The watchman and southron. (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, January 18, 1899, Image 1
m?u an
?HKSCMTES WATCHMAN, Established April, IS50.
"Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thon Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's.'
THE TRUE SQUTHBOX, Established Jane. 1 2*?S
Consolidated Aug. 2,1881.
SUMTER. S. C., WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18.1899.
J?ew Series-Vol. XTJL No. 25
SUMTER, S. C.
TCEXS:
$1.50 per ian um-IQ advance.
1DTISTI8XK1S?:
Ono Sqnare first insertion.......00
Mwtj subseqp.ent insertion ....,"." 50
Goatrtet? for three mon tba, or longer wil
br aa?e afc redacd rates.
All comrank?sxoot ?haca subserve prrr?te
interests will be charged foras ?dvertiern en ts.
Obksaries and tributes af nspesta will be i
chtrffed for.
Gonsales vs. Ellerbe.
Ia the State of the i 0 th instant
there appeared an editorial, over the
Signatare of N. G Gonade*, charg?
ing Gov. Ellerbe with duplicity and
downright lying The editorial nat?
urally created a sensation and has
been the talk of the ?Sute. The
editorial begins hy a recital of the
efforts made by Mr. Gonzales to
secare the enactment of a high
license local option law, and the
promises of assistance mide and
broken by Gov. Ellerbe dering his
f?ase year in office. Then the story
of the deal made in the last cam?
paign is related as follows :
'^Chat afternoon, September 8,
when I went to the State office, I
found a note on my table from tbe
csshier stating that Mr. Weston and
Col. Neal had been to the office to
see me and, failing to do sc, asked
me to be sore to meet them that
night at Mr. Weston's bank office
I kept the engagement. We talked
fer nearly an hoar on different mat
tenu At last Col. Neal said to me,
slapping bis knee, 'ft ell, let's come
down sow to business Nearly every
paper in the State is jumping on the
governor, he's pretty badly worried,
and is very anxious for yon to help
him oat. Can't yon do it V I re?
plied that I had told Gov. Ellerbe all
along that I weald not support him
for renomination if he stuck to the
dispensary, and he had stuck to it.
Mr. Weston said : 'The simple tact
pf the matter is that the governor
feels he io obliged to have the sap
port of tbe State, and we have asked
you to find ont oo what conditions
you will support him.' Without
hesitation, and os the apar of the
moment, I replied : 'If he will
pledge him ??If to me in. writing to
?rge the Legislature to pass a local
option law allowing each county to
decide for itself between high
license, prohibition and tbe d ispeo
sary, I wi!! support him .' This idea
has been with me for a year ; it had
been the object of ali my efforts the
previous tall and winter, and it came
spontaneously to my lips I did not
stop to consider the price I might
have to pay in public misunderstand
iog of my motives if fae should accept
my terms. Mr Weston looked at
Col. Neal and then said : 'I don't
think there will be mach trouble
shoat that do yeo,., colonel V and
Col. Nea! replied to me : 'I think
he'll do it easy enough, be's got to do
it if you insist.' Mr Weston then
asked me If a verbal assurance would
satisfy me I told him no, there bad
been too much question shout Eller?
beks verbal assurances already ; 1
most have it in black and white, for
my own protection, but he could tell
the governor that I would not show
the pk ige to anybody unless he
Vied to observe it, in which case I
weald. When Mr Weston asked :
'Would you object to having the
loiter addressed to me ? I um going
to Charleston to try and help the
governor down there, and I would
like to be able to show it to some of
the politicians ' I answered that I
weald not object to that, but that
after be bad used it io Charleston I
most have the custody of the paper
"The conference broke ap with
their assurance that they would see
the governor next day and bring me
bis answer. The next day, Friday,
September 9, Mr Weston came io
my room and handed me an envelope
bearing the familiar engraved letter?
ing'State of Sooth Carolina, Execu?
tive Chamber, Columbia/ and ad?
dressed, 'Mr. F. H Weston, Colom?
bia, S C , (personal) ' Opening, I
read :
" "State of Sooth Carolina. Execu?
tive Chamber, Colombia, S. C., Sop
tenber 8. - (Confidential.) - Dear
Frank : In reply to your inquiry will
say : I fully concur in your view as
to the best solution of the liquor
question After mingling with the
peopie for three months and thorough
consideration, I have come to the
conclusion that the dispensary act
should be amended so as to allow
each conoty to settle the liquor ques?
tion for itself, and have determined
to make such recommendation to the
next general assembly.
" *Yoor friend,
" 'W\ H. Ellerbe
" ?To Mr. F. H. Weston.'
Illli*
"All of th's, except the prie
caption and date Hoe, was in G
ernor Elierbo's handwriting '
date was v>rong-one day behi
It was not as precise a pledge a
would have dictated, but wbateve
vagueness there might be in
phrase, 'Allow each county to se
the liquor question for itself/ \
o?set by the in tia! statement; *I fi
concur in year view as to the t
solution of the liquor question '
knew, and it was a matter of pul
knowledge and record, that 1
Weston's 'view' was the same as
own ; that he favored county choi
between the dispensary, high licei
and prohibition.
"While I did not have any confide
in* Governor Ellerbek simple word,
did nott believe he would dare to io
the obiiquy of exposure for violati
this pledge, and I thought I bad fa
fast. As Mr Weston was going ti
afternoon to Charleston, and wished
use the original to secure votes for
governor there, I took a copy of t
letter, on bb promise to band me t
original on hts return. He <
retara it, and I bave kept it in i
pocket most of the time since. I mi
coofess that the governor's proa
compliance with my ultimatum was s
altogether gratifying, for i bad thong
tba matter over, and concluded that
carry out my part of the agreemc
would subject me to mach cri ti ci s
and, perhaps, suspicion of my motivi
and that I would have to withhold t
justification until the Legislature rn*
On this account I half regretted i
impulsiveness, which bsd entailed up
me a severe ordeal. But the thing w
done, and I went to work in good fai
to carry oat my part of the oompai
having the satisfaction of feeliog that
had acted wholly for the public goo
The next morning the State ooo tain
a signed editorial urging high lieen
voters to support Ellerbe, and eaeb da
until the election, the paper did i
best for ?iim."
I did not sec Gov. Ellerbe from ti
time I returned from Coba until soo
three weeks after bis nomination by tl
second primary. He bad called at a
office when I wat ont, and bad sent n
messages asking ere to visit him ; so
went one day to bis office at the Sta
noose.
After aa exchange of civilities 1
asked my opinion of the clause io tl
State constitution permitting the isst
of licenses for the sale of liquor, sayio
that according to that claaso all liquo
sold uoder high license would have I
be bought from tbe State dispensary,
analyzed the section and showed that
could bear no snob interpretation. E
persisted ia his elaim, however, and
realized that he was trying to find
loophole by whiob to escape the r<
demptioo of hts pledge. This realizatio
angered me so much that ? could bardi
trust myself to speak. I paced fonsie
up and dowo the executive chambei
and finally told bim that I was io n
mood to be dallied with in that fashion
that if he intended to buooo me as se;
eral newspapers bad predioted he wool
do be might rest assured shat I woui
publish the pledge and show ap tb
whole affair. Theo I started ont, bo
as I bad my band on the door knob h
called me back and offered to leave tb
interpretation of the clause to aoy law
yer I woeld select. I proposed Chic
Justice Mciver, bat be objected,
then 60ggested Mr. B W. Shsnd ant
Gen. LeBoy F. Yoemans, and b
choose Mr. S h and and said he wooli
submit the question to him. (Week
afterward I questioned Mr Shand, an<
be told me that the governor had no
said a word to bim about it )
The main issue then came up. afte
some talk, and Gov. Ellerbe barefaced!;
deoied that he bad made aoy agreemen
whatever. (J had this letter io mi
pocket at the time ) He attempted tc
onload tbe whole responsibility ot
Weston and Neal, saying he bad tole
them when he wrote the letter that bc
bad not changed his views, was still foi
the dispensary and would make nc
agreement. Assuming an air of vir<
tuous indignation he said be would send
for them and make them set bim right.
(He never did ) I was so disgusted
tbst I again started to leave, saying I
woeld expose tbe whole affair and let
bim settle it with Neal and Weston ae
be oould ; but again be begged me to
eome back, and then, leaving his seat
and coming to my side, io front of the
west window at bis right band, he said :
'Don't get mad ; let's talk this thing
over quietly aod see if we can't oom .
promise it." And then be proposed to
do precisely what be bad promised and
what I bad expected-to urge the legis*
lature to pass ao act permitting eaoh
coonty to choose by ballot between
prohibition, high license and the dis?
pensary. It was a lightning ohaoge on
his part and almost took my breath
away.
He went on to say that this was oo
new thing on hi8? part ; that he had
held those views before he bad written
the letter to Weston and had told W.
D. Evans of them. * * * *
I did not see Gov. Ellerbe again
until la9t Saturday afternoon. On
Friday Mr. Weston informed me that
the governor bad read him part of his
message relating to the liquor question,
and that it seemed to bim throaghout
I an argument for the retention of the
dispensary system, although it did
make a brief and bare suggestion as to
letting tbe people of the counties settle
the question for themselves. He did
not like it, he said. I told him that
I if the message did not oome np to prom
I iso I would show up Ellerbe ruthlessly.
j The next day, Saturday, Mr Weston
gave a proof of the liquor section of the
message, with an invitation from the
Governor to oall oo him at the mansion
at 5 o'oiack that afternoon. I read the
proof and was greately incensed at what
I found in it. My disinclination to see
the governor was strong, as I was
afraid I could not oontrol my temper
after thia revelation of his duplicity ;
but as I did not wish to bring Col.
Neal and Mr. Weston into the matter
-as I must do if ? exposed Ellerbe-I
finally determined to keep the appoint
ment
At 5 o'clock I went to the executive
mansion and found the governor con
versing with a visitor. When the lat?
ter left I told him that I had read bis
liquor recommendations and was great?
ly surprised and disapointed ; that he
bad not said what be had pledged him?
self to sty ; tbat be had defeated his
half way endorsement of local option by
other recommendations of the strongest
character. He asked me to specify. I
pointed out this paragraph for ooe : It
(the dispensary) must be firmly and
permanently established or completely
done away with." This, I said, clear?
ly meant the establishment of the dis?
pensary on Its present basis or its elim?
ination from the whole State-it was
adverse to partial elimination under the
influence of local option * Theo I show?
ed that the oontext of his recoommesda
tion as to local option limited the choice
to prohibition and the dispensary only,
wholly ignoring high license as an al?
ternative. This, I said, was not what
bs had promised me; if adopted it would
defeat the very polioy to whiob I was
committed and whiob I preferred-high
ioeose. I went on to say that the
whole deliveranee was obnoxious to his
professions and pledges, and that I
quite understood his motive in limiting
tbe choice to prohibition and the dispen?
sary and its imposing special and oner?
ous burdens on prohibition counties
be sought to force the dis pe a so ry ob the
people aa the ooly endurable alterna?
tive ?
He had made the word of promise to
the ear and broken it to the hope, I
said He replied, with marvellous ef?
frontery, that he had made no promises,
that Frank Weston had not aeted prop?
erly in concealing from me what he had
said, and that be would make him pub?
lish his litter, I answered tbat I would
do that ; that I proposed to show the
public that I at least had acted in good
faith. I got up bade him good evening,
and walked out of his sitting room,
while be was sayiog ; "You can do as
you please."
So 'his is the eod of my hope of do?
ing something through W. H. Ellerbe
! for a fair and democratic solution of
the liquor question. I have made my
try and failed, and all the men and
papers that have been saying the mac
was faithless and the State newspaper
and Columbia would be buncoed eao
bave their Sing at me. I am fair game ;
I have bees buncoed. I eao only plead
that I thought I had guarded against it
by securing his pledge io writiog. I
believed bim quite oapable of violating
any verbal promise, bot I did not thiok
he would be quite so shameless as to
invite the production of proofs io his
own handwriting that he had lied.
To do him exact jus tice, I do not be?
lieve that Ellerbe has acted spontane?
ously io this matter, but under dire
compulsion; that he has taken what he
considers the safest oboice between
evils. I believe that Senator Tillman
holds his written pledge to support the
dispensary, in terms more specific than
those of his letter to me-or else some
paper the publication of which woold
damn bim. Tillman, lam informed,
was here last week aod week before
last ; hs whipped Ellerbe baok to hts
feet a year ago aod it is quite likely
that he put bis collar OD him again the
other day.
However that many be, I plead
guilty to being eheated. I expected to
be lied to, bot I did not expeot to be
brszeoly swindled. I did not thiok
that W. H. Ellerbe would adopt the
devioe of sneaking out of an obligation
in writing by accusing men who bad
been almost his only friends of bad
faith toward him and toward me.
Messrs. Weston and Neal will doubtless
speak for themselves ; I have refraioed
from quoting them as to the statements
Gov. Ellerbe made to them.
The unqualified assertion that negroes
have not the capacity to compete with
white meo will not bold. Five of them
reoently robbed a bank in Texas aod
did just as well as white men coold
have done it. Bat the leaders showed
the lack of common gumption, and
took about $100,000 worth of papers
and notes to their bouse, where they
were found. They were captured and
of course the plunder is evidenced
against them.
Joseph H Choate of New York bas
been nominated to be ambassador to
England.
GOV. ELLERBE TALKS.
Governor Ellerbe was seen in his
office by' a Record reporter this morn?
ing. To say that he was mad boc
feebly expressed his mental condition
He had previously seen Colonel Neal
and had consulted with bim. He tele?
phoned to Mr. Weston who came down
an hoar later and the two had a con?
solation of nearly an hoar.
When the governor was asked wheth?
er he bad any statement to make in re?
ply to the editorial be said that he
would carefully consider his words and
would not have his statement ready in
time for publication in the Record this
afternoon Nevertheless he expressed
himself quite freely in reference to the
matter. He was angry and talked
without considering his words.
He said in substance : "The whole
thing is a lie. I have never asked any
newspaper to support me. I am no
politician, but simply stand before the
people I oertainly would sot ask The
State to support me.
.fl wrote a letter to Mr. Weston but
I never intended that he should show it
to Gonzales. I did not write it so that
Gonzalas would support me through his
paper. Giving it to him was unauthor?
ized -Columbia Reoord.
UNMASKED IN THE EAST.
Hong Kong, Jan. 10.-The Filipino
committee here bas broken off all rela?
tions with the United States oonsui,
Rounsevell Widman.
The committee to-day issued a writ
in the supreme court to recover the
sum of $46,000, which the Filipinos
claim to have deposited with Mr. Wild?
man as treasurer of the Filipino iode
penneooe fond io June last. The
members of the committee further
all?g? that sensational disclosures are
probable, showing, they add, that the
American Government recognized the
Filipinos as belligerents by affording
them assistance in arms and moral in?
da eeo ce to cooperate against Spain,
"thoa endorsing the agreemeot made
with Aguinaldo at Singapore in April."
A CONFERENCE AT MANILA.
London, Jan. ll -The Manila cor?
respondent of the Morning Post says :
"There was an important conference
this evening between duly authorized
American and Filipino committees at
the instance of Aguinaldo. The latter
appointed Gen. Flores, Col. Aquilles
and Senator Torres, Major Gen. Otis
appointed Gen. Hughes, Col. Smith, of
the California regiment, and Judge
Advooate Crowder. Geo. Otis said
the purpose of the conference was a
mutual understanding of the policies,
aim3 and desires of the people of the
United States and of the Philippines.
There was a frank discussion."
QUAY LOSES A POINT.
Philadelphia, Jan. 10.--The Su?
preme Court to-day, io an opinion
banded do wo by Chief Justice Sterrett,
dismissed the applieatioo io the Quay
conspiracy case for a writ of certiorari
and placed the costs on the petitioners
The petition of the defendants. United
States Senator M. S. Qoay,R. R. Qaay
and Benjamin J. Haywood, averred
that on account of political prejudice?
they were of belief that they could not
obtain a fair and impartial trial in the
Philadelphia Court of Qaarter Sessions
wheo the suit against them was insti?
tuted.
The opinion of thc court was handed
to the clerk, but was not read from the
bench, Judge Sterrett merely announcing
the dismissal of the rule to show canse
why a writ of certiorari shoulc be
issued. There was no dieser ting
opioioo. The charge against the de?
fendants is that of conspiracy with John
S. Hopkins, the cashier of the People's
Bank, (who committed suicide in March
last, in the misuse of State fonds on
deposit io that bank. The defendants
were placed under arrest in October
last, and as the result of a preliminary
bearing entered bail for trial. Several
postponements of the date fixed for trial
have taken place. Senator Qaay and
his co defendants have persistently claim?
ed in their defense in the preliminary
proceedings that the prosecution was
instigated by his political enemies with
the object of defeating his re-election
to the United States Senate.
Jost to keep their pride down, as it
were, some mean people have reminded
young Mr. Vanderbilt who bas reoently
married young Miss Fair, millionaire
combination, that they oeodn't put on
any airs for the father of the gentleman
bogan life as a ferryman and the father
oftbe lady as a day laborer.
People, this is a foul gang we have
been dealing with. Lets clean out the
whole business the frst chance we get,
have a new deal and put in our best
offices some good, old fashioned South
Carolina gentlemen who hold their hon?
or saored and keep their lives clean.
Greenville News.
The General Assembly.
SI; ort Sessions in Both Houses
Little Done.
Colombia, an ll.-The House
was in P~' bat one hour to-day.
The Speak*, -nnounced the commit?
tees, the Governor's message was
read, a few bills of local application
were introduced, and the bfU to pre?
sent a sword to Lieut. Victor Blue
was discussed.
The members from Sumter county
received the following committee as
signmsDts :
J. Harvey Wilson, Ways and
Means, Mines and Mining.
E D. Smitb, chairman, Engrossed
Bills, Minesand Mining.
W. A. Nettles, Public Buildings,
State House and Grounds.
D. M. Young, Public Buildings
The Senate was in session less than
an boar, and nothing was accomplish?
ed in the way of work.
Senator Graydon introduced seve?
ral bills and resolutions. The most
important was a constitutional amend?
ment which he offered. It provides
for the repeal of section 7, article T
of the constitution. Its aim, as ex?
plained by Senator Graydon, is to do
away with slicing counties up, by a
portion of one township deciding that
it wants to become a part of another
county. The repeal will not affect
the formation of new counties, but
stops the practice of continually
altering county lines to please the
whims of a few. The resolution pro?
vides that the question shall be voted
for at the next general election *?~d if
it carries the legislature electee then
will ratify tho voters' action.
Colombia, Jan. 12.-The House
began regular work in a business-like
maonsr.
Three bills relating to the privilege
tax ?ere introduced.
The bills to present a sword to Lient.
Victor Blue were referred to the mili?
tary committee.
The Lee county matter was brought
up by the judiciary committee.
Mr. Bacut, chairman, introduced the
following resolution^:
"Tbe committee on judiciary respect
folly recommend the adoption .by the
boase of the following resolution and
asked for its immediate consideration
"Whereas the supreme court of the
State has recently decided the act of the
general assembly of 1898 creating and
establishing Lse county unconstitution?
al we recommend that it be referred to
the committee on privleges and elections
to consider and report opon the same at
the earliest day possible, aud that mean j
while Mr. Keels be permitted to take j
his seat until the question be disposed
of, but that he be no? ?ntitled to a vote
and that he have the right and privilege j
of being heard upon the question."
Messrs. Blease, Wood and Wharton
objected. Messrs. Stevenson and Bacot
spoke in favor of the resolution.
Mr. Bacot said that he most bend to
the will of the supreme court. The
constitution in Section 25, provides for
just suoh an emergency, for it distinctly
says that should aoy county fail to elect
a delegation, the constitutionality of
the Honse would not be jeopardized.
He moved to table Mr. Blease's amend?
ment. This was carried and the origi?
nal resolution was adopted.
Mr. B'eage introduced a bill to
repeal the concealed weapon law, and
another to oompel oottoo miils to pay
employes within twenty-four hours
after discbarge.
THE SENATE.
The Senate was in session only ten
minutes, but io this time all matters in
shape to be acted oo were disposed of.
The joint resolution to extend the
time for payment cf taxes to Feb. 28,
was passed aod ordered to the third
reading
Mr. Manning introduced a bill to fix
the time for the payment of taxes from
October 1st to December 1st.
Columbia Jan. 13.-Tho legislative
session to-day was not a particularly
lively one. Committee have been con?
sidering bills already intraduoed and in
a number of instances they have already
been reported favorably or otherwise
aod the house acted co these reports to
da*
Mr. Dukes introduced a resolution
that all bills relative to the dispensary
be refered to a committee to ooosist of
ooe member from each county delega?
tion.
The committee on public schools re?
ported on Mr. Jeremiah Smith's bill to
divide the proceeds of the privilege tax
between the different oouoties for the
purpose of establishing academies and
preparatory Echools io the counties.
The committee reported a substitute bil?
changing the bili in certain particulars.
The bill to repeal the concealed wea*
pon law was unfavorably reported and
the report was adopted.
?o unfavorable report was also made
on Mr. Biease's bill to punish intimida?
tion of laborers at the polls. '
An unfaverable report was also made
on the bill to retire ''Uncle" William?
Rose on a pension, and (he report was?
adopted.
In the senate the chief matter of dis?
cussion was the subject of the extension
of the time for the payment of taxes?
Senator Aldrich's resolution was tc*
extend the time to February 28. Sen?
ator Shepard wanted it extended to
March 1. There was much discussion*
and Senator Graydon, of Abbeville,
introduced an amenment that that the
time be up to and including February
28. This was adopted, practically
making the time for payment np to
March 1. The penalty, wherever it bas
been paid, is to be remitted.
BUCKLEN'S ARNICA SALVE.
The best Salve in the world for Cats
Braises, Sores, Ulcers, Salt Rheum, Fever,
Sore Tetter, Chapped Hands, Chilblains, Cor"?
and all Skin Eruptions and positively corea
Piles or no pay required. It is guaranteed to
give perfect satisfaction, or money relunded?
price 25 cents per box; For sale by Dr. J. F
W. D. Lorine.
Weeekty Report Shows a De*
crease as Compared With
Last Year.
New Orleans, Jan. 13.-Secretary
Hesters weekly New Orleans Cotton
Exchange statement issued to-day
shows a decrease in the movement
into sight compared with the seven
days ending this date last year of
93,000, an increase over the same
days year before last of 77,000. For
the 135 days of the season that have
elapsed the aggregate ia ahead of
the 135 days of last year 312,000 and
ahead of the same days year before
last of 1,539,000/
The total amount for the 135 days
from Sept 1 to date is 8,248,050
against 7,935,559 last year.
The movement since Sept 1 show?
receipts at al! United States ports
6,260,099 against 6,083,496 last
year.
Interior stocks in excess of those
held at the close of the commercial
year 579,259 against 550,295 last
year.
Southern mill takings 550,791
against 544,005 last year.
Foreign exports for the week have
been 243,335 against 222,719 last
year, making the total thus far for
the season 4,702,329 against 4,130,
758 last year.
The total takings of American
mills north and sooth and Canada .
thus far for tbe season have been
1,937,899 against 1,976,725 iast
year.
Stocks at the seaboard and the 29
leading southern interior centre?
have decreased dering the week
91,353 bales against increase d-iring
the corresponding period last season
of 21,087.
THE MARKETS.
New York, Jan 13 --There was
a let up in speculative activity in the
cotton futures to day and considera?
ble talk around the opening of a
"toppy'? market. The general mar?
ket bearings, however, were quite as
substantial as at any time since the
late rise began. Fluctuations nar?
rowed down to a matter of four
points. The first call developed a
steady feeling, and while starting at
a decline of one point finished at an*
advance of two Following the calli
there was a further general improve?
ment of 2 to 3 points, but the market?,
was at no time particularly active.
Futures Closed quiet and steady
January 5 70 ; February 5 70 ; March?
5.71 ; April 5 74 ; May 5.78 ; Juaer
5.80; July 5 82 ; August 5 85 ;
September 5.78 ; October 5.78 ; No?
vember 5.78 ; December 5.79
Charleston, Jan. 13.--Cotton firm ;
middling 51 ; net and gross receipt?
832 ; stock 25,816 ; exports coast?
wise 351.
Corn-Spot steady ; No. 2, 43J to
44. Cations opened firm and for a
while ruled strong because of bad
weather and higher cables. With;
the late break in wheat, however.,
realizing developed and prices yield?
ed, closing weak at ? net decline.
May closed 42.
POWDER
Makes the food more delicious and wholesome
ROVAL BAKING POWDER CO., NEW YORK