Clemson University - Taps Yearbook (Clemson, SC)

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MISS HENEY Sponsor Taps ' 19 1771 50

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Sketch of the Life and the Work of the Late Benjamin Ryan Tillman r: JAMIX RYAN TI I.I.MAX was born in the year 1 47. a period so situated in historical records as to make young Tillman at just the right aire to feel an exaggerated impression of the events leading up to ami resulting in the War between the States. Immediately following the dose of the war there sprang up in South Caro- lina the so-called Carpet-bag and negro rule government. In Istg the gov- ernment again fell into the hands of the political survivors of aristocracy, and thus it remained for fourteen years, or until 1890. In the meantime, after the redemption of the state in lsTO. there developed among the people a restless idea that the masses — the middle cdasses or so-called common people — did not have a proper voice in the affairs of the government Great dissatisfaction at the old-time political aristocracy, and much complaint of Bourbons and ring rule was strongly manifested in such feeling of unrestfulness. The people, then, were being prepared for the jrather- iiiir storm, which was soon to hurst into a mighty political revolution. They had not Jon;: to wait. In is-sr, Benjamin Ryan Tillman launched at Bennettsville S. ( ' .. a strong attack upon what he termed •dry rot ' in South Carolina resulting in the culmination of this restless spirit in a strong movement among farmers and in the final perfection of a farmers ' organization. Knowing the conditions of the masses of the people, Tillman, himself a farmer, taking as his model the gallant Eagle of Edgefield and profiting by the experience- of the days of ' To. announced himself a candidate for governor under the auspices and with the support of this farmer organization. It was a drastic campaign and bitter. The convention representing Mr. Tillman ' s views provided for a joint debate to lie held at each county scat between their candidate and any others put forward. Some of South Carolina ' s most brilliant men joined issue with Mr. Tillman in the cam- paign. Bitter attacks were made against him : but his keen wit. his brilliant intellect, and his ready retort equipped him to return bitterness for bitterne-s. and he was elected governor by a handsome majority. Two years later, in 1892, he was again put forth as a candidate for governor. He was opposed in the primaries by a former executive of the State. Ex-Governor John •;. Sheppard. and a worthy opponent he was. Tillman had. however, so intrenched himself in the hearts of the masses that he was re-elected after a hot and exciting campaign. A- governor for a second term. Tillman increased his hold on the regard and affection of his people to such an extent that he was elected at the expiration of his term of office in 1894 to the United States Senate, defeating in a memorable campaign the gallant Matthew C. Butler. In this capacity as a public man he served until his death. During his official career as governor. Tillman devoted a great deal of his time and attention to the firm and final establishment of Clemson Agricultural College. Much confusion has arisen as to just who it is that deserves credit for the establishment of such a needed institution, and some contend that it was not the work of Tillman because he did not come into power until December of 1s«hi. As a matter of fact the legislature of 1888 accepted the bequest of Thomas G. Clemson. providing for the establishment of the college and in l sJt. made provision for the construction of the buildings. It must not be overlooked, however, that the institution had its beginning in the famous agitation which Tillman set in motion in lss..j : for it was this which forced the acceptance of the will of Thomas G. Clemson in 1888. In Clemson College, his dream became a realization, and he lived to see it one of the greatest agricultural colleges in America. Another of the most enduring monuments to Senator Tillman ' s devotion to the cause of education is his part in the establishment of an institution for the technical training of the jdrls of South Carolina. It is true that Winthrop College, as an institution, was founded in ls T. but not until 1891 did the state, directly as a result of his far seeinsr statesmanship towards the education of our girls, finally make provision for its firm establishment at Rook Hill. S. C. These two things alone stand out as crowning works of the great man that he was. But this is not all. He established the state dispensary system, limiting the manufac- ture and sale of whiskey, and this paved the way for the complete abolition of the whiskey Page Four