Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1896 — BENJ. R. TILLMAN. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BENJ. R. TILLMAN.

South Carolina’* Senator, Who Denounced Cleveland in the Senate. Senator Tillman, who recently startled “the most dignified legislative body on earth” by his vitriolic denunciation of President Cleveland, was born on his father’s plantation at Chester, Edgefield County, S. C., and during the war he attended school at Liberty Hill, thirty miles away. The boy’s craving for learning and his indomitable will were displayed when ha was 15 years olds He knew that at 1C he must enter the Confederate army. His

elder brothers in the field wrote back tt* him that he must make the best of his opportunities while at school, for the war might last so long that he might neve# have educational advantages. &o young Tillman, when supper was eaten, would carry a lighted pine knot to the woods, nnd there in the solitude of night study is Greek roots and Latin conjugations. In March, 1890, the farmers’ alliance met to nominate a candidate for Governor. Tillman was nominated, and-then followed the bitterest campaign South Carolina has eve# ‘had. Gen. Earle was his opponent, nnd they met in joint debate. Three-quarters of the men assembled earried revolvers and,trouble was expected at the speech making. Gen. Earl* asked of his opponent how old he tTilb man) Was at the close of the war and why he Was not in the Confederate army. Tillman turned upon the general in a fury Hands sought triggers, expecting ~n out break- “As for your insinuations of cow ardice and lack of patriotism,” thundered Tillman at his adversary, “I spit them out at yon and Spurn sou and them with contempt.” Not a shoi was fired. 'lt was a miracle. Applause greeted the speaker, and from that time forth he controlled the multitude. The riots attending the carrying into effect of Gov. Tillman’s famous dispensary system are matters of recent happening and are well reiuemboretfi" His quieting of the trouble with troops of farmers armed with every conceivable manner of weapons is very indicative of the man’* force and of the regard in which his constituents hold him. The American Savings and Loan Asso elation at Minneapolis went into th« hands of a receiver, application to the court having been made by Attorney Gen eral Childs. Maj. W. D. Hale wai named as receiver.

SENATOR TILLMAN.