Clemson University - Taps Yearbook (Clemson, SC)

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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

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traffic in South Carolina. He was prominent in bringing about the primary system for the naming of candidates for the Democratic Tarty. He brought about the holding of a constitutional convention which settled the negro suffrage question in South Carolina. He caused a better system of analysis and inspection of fertilizers, saving the fanners from immense loss through misrepresented goods of unscrupulous fertilizer manufacturers, and he introduced a movement for the betterment of the common schools, placing within the reach of every b oy and girl in the state an education as adequate as that afforded by the average school. Senator Tillman did not enter the Senate, as many do. a man unknown beyond the limits of his own state. His reputation preceded his coming. Being reckless as he was in the use of language, of which he had acquired ample command, he had become a pic- turesque figure in the public mind, and his entrance into the Senate greatly excited the public curiosity as to what he should do in such a great body. The excitement was vivid and strong, for it was underst 1 that he intended to revolutionize the Senate, as he had revolutionized the State of South Carolina. This he did not do: but because he was a man naturally of strong good sense and open convictions, he came yet through no sacrifice of principle, not only to accept the Senate but to be one of its chief defenders, and a most ardent supporter of its habits and traditions. Of his work in the Senate enough cannot be written. Let us merely mention some of the most prominent achievements growing from his relentless efforts. With untiring efforts he labored as a member and later as chairman of the Committee on Naval Affairs to make the American Navy sufficiently large to discharge its responsibilities. The re- wards of his efforts came in terms of human life when our Navy, second only to that of Great Britain, with those of our Allies made it possible for America to place upon the fields of France more than two million American soldiers without the loss of a single American transport. He fought special privileges: he violently opposed the exorbitant prices charged for steel plates used in making battleships, and it was because of a fierce assault upon the steel trust that he won the lasting and honored title of • Pitchfork Ben. Under this title he succeeded in establishing, after fifteen years of contention, an armour plate factory, a crowning monument to his efforts. Tillman took an active part in se- curing the enactment of the amendatory interstate commerce act of 1906, giving the In- terstate Commerce Commission the power to make rates in interstate commerce. He de- manded and got a greater and more elastic currency — he was active in the framing of a multitude of important measures, always fearlessly and firmly representing what he honestly believed to be to the interest of the people of the United States. And why such r reat activity, such notable success? Born of poor parentage, Tillman had not the advantage of a full college education: he was rough and stormy in the eyes of the public. Then why these wonderful achievements V We shall see: Beneath the stormy outlines of his features there surged a kindly nature, plenty of humor, seriousness of puritose. and sincerity of conviction. He was able and forceful, a wonderful man in energy and perseverance, never at a standstill, always moving to new and larger fields. He is discussed as being one of the most striking and picturesque characters in the public life of America. No one interested or attracted the attention of the public more than he. His mental faculties and his physical appearance were each peculiarly fascinating. He possessed a strong, robust and compact body: a firm, decisive step: a large, expansive, and magnificent brow: clear, dark, and fearless eyes: a firm and resolute mouth and chin, indicative of unflinching courage and resolution. He had a Strong, clear, and penetrating voice, falling pleasantly on the ears, never monotonous lecause frequently tinged with sarcasm or resounding with indignation. Could he fail ' . ' However defiant, however rough, however bold, he spoke his simple honest convictions and in that he was fortified. He had no fear of consequences, depending upon his rugged, sterling honesty to strengthen his position on every question. He knew no middle ground but always fought the fight to a finish, and he was a most powerful advocate and a most dangerous opponent. Not in high strung phazes of oratory, not in sugar coated, glistering speech, but in persistent sledjre blows he delivered his argument, always assuming that the end justified the means— and he usually won. And this is the secret of his power: he was honest, he was faithful, he was true. In his private life it is s : ,i,i that he was lovable, morally clean and honorable. He scorned duplicity and falsehood, loathing a lie. As a husband he was devoted and tender: as a father, kind and good; as a man. firm and true. Of him it may amply be said. He was of the truly great -1 y 1 Page Five