<<<<<<<<<<<<
Not that it matters, but Ben Tillman wasn't a Populist. According to
Lawrence Goodwyn, the leading historian of Populism, Tillman was
actually
responsible for killing Populism in South Carolina. He was a Democratic
loyalist whenever it mattered. Maybe a lower-case "p" populist, but not
the
real thing.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Still, one thing in Tillman's favor, he opposed the creation of the FBI under Teddy Roosevelt. As Max Lowenthal tells the story, Tillman led the opposition, and Congress said not only no, but hell no. Congress recessed, and upon its return, there was the FBI. Teddy created it illegally by shuffling funds around.
Lowenthal says Tillman went on the warpath. But, somebody broke into his office, and stole compromising letters. These were leaked to the press, bit by bit, water torture fashion.
Tillman capitulated.
If anybody is interested, Lowenthal's book _The Federal Bureau of Investigation_ (it used to be just _The Bureau of Investigation_, the FBI's original name) is a good read.
-- John K. Taber