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?t?ts? Newspaper Sn South Careta VOL. 77. NO, 25 I COUNTY CAMPAIGN. First Meeting Held at Republi can Church, Good Speeches, Ideal Order, Sumptuous Dinner. The first of the series of seven county campaign meetings that have been arranged by the county execu tive committee was held at Repub lican church' Saturday. With one or two exceptions all of the candidates were present. Owing to the rather sparsely settled condition of the country for several miles around Republican, the attendance i was not as large as it is upon meet- j ings in some sections of the county. But as to the quality of the citizen ship that assembles at Republican J. no section can surpass it. Before the meeting was formally called to order by the chairman, Hon.B. E. Nicholson, the county chairman, read the names of the candidates who had tiled their) pledges, stating that if any had been inadvertently overlooked they should now speak or forever hereaf ter hold their peace. Candidates Asked Question. Mr. Henry Medlock, the chair man, called the meeting to order and requested the Rev. J. T. Little john to invoke divine blessings upon the occasion. Before formally presenting any of the speakers, Mr. Medlock announced that he had been directed to ask the candidates for the House and Senate to state who they would support and for whom they would vote in the pri [. mary for governor. In compliance with this request the speeches show ed the following lineup: Mr. May son declared in favor of Gov. Blease, Mr. Nicholson, Mr. Court-] ney, Capt. Evans and Mr. De Laughter came out unequivocally for Judge Jones. Mr. Williams and Mr. Wells rdeciiued to expr?sB.thejr preference among the three g?ber: natorial candidates. P. B. Mayson. . The first speaker presented by the chairman wa3 P. B. Mayson, a can didate for the state senate. Af ter addressing some complimentary words to the ladies, Mr. Mayson said he would not waste words by way of preliminary remarks but go directly into the discussion of the matters in which the people are in terested. He stated that a copy of the Bristow amendment had been handed to him just before he went upon the stand, with the re quest that it be exp'.ainod. While he had not the time to consider it fully,yet he said he did not mind ex pressing himself. As our United States senators are already elected by a direct|vote of the people in the primary he does not see the need of the Bristow amendment. Further more, federal control of our elec tions may lead to trouble later. Mr. Mayson favors four-year [terms for all county offices. The holding of elections every four rears instead of every two years rould save much expense as well is much hard feeling among the peo-? ble. The speakei declared himself eni tmatically for good schools, partie ll.-] rly rural schools, where the ma joiity of the children attend. Not ?p posed to the colleges bat docs not kraut money lavished <?n them to thc neglect of the common schools. ? Mr. Mayson Wants the white ehil ?1 ron to receive the benefit of the j noncy the white people pay and thc Colored children 10 receive what the negroes pay. ile says there are two i legro children in school to every white child, and '.ants to see the finnis separated. Ile read ligures from the comp troller's report to show that our ta\'"s and the appropriations have increased year by year, lie favors tint ascertaining the amount of fm da that will be available and the make the v.irions appropria ting accordingly, never exceeding our revenue only in cases of emer gency. Ile stands for economy. Mr. Mayson said when he was in the legislature he helped to raise the pensions of the Confederate veterans and that ii elected to the senate will aid in providing for their comfort and support. As to the whiskey question. Mr. jMaysm says he stands for local op tion, just where he stood four years ago. He believes this question should be settled by a vote of the people. Last winter a petition was circulated for an election on the question, and while he had nothing to do with preparing the petition be stated that he signed it. Som? one in the audience asked Mr. May son at this juncture if he knew who originated or prepared the petition and his reply was: *I do not." Mr. Mayson here stated with ref erence to the question which had been profound4*! through the chair man: "As to the race for governor between Judge Jones and Governor Blease, I propose to put my ballot in for Blease." He further stated that he is not running their cam paign and would, ii elected, not be influenced by ehher, unless his judgment eudorsefifcheir course. Said Mr. Mayson: "I am open and bold. I never advocate one thing and then do another. I ap peal to the manhood of the voters. Do not put your foot on a man be cause he has the courage to declare himself." ? B. E. Nicholson. The second i3peakerof "the morn ing was B. E. Nicholson, who is also a candidate for the senate. His exordium was, in substance, as fol lows: "There are times in the lives of men when they are at the part ing' of the roads; when a decision will determine their career. Some of my best friends have said I am making a mistake by airain ent?rina politics, referring to the fact that I have already given four years of service as a member of the House and that I will never make any money out of pol i tirs. In this the 37 th year of'my life, after careful consideration, I have decided that tiie highest measure of usefulness is the highest measure of service, and that our lives ate not measured in dollars, nor by the luxuries and comforts that we cather around us J and enjoy in private life. In my earnest and honest judgmer.t t-?<?d has endowed mu with some quali ties that will eiiable meto be of ser vice u? my people. So I bring what 1 I have in the way of gifts and if you accept, them, I shall d<> the best that 1 can for our grand old I county." '# Mr. Nicholson sta*cd that he has tattered the race untrammeled; 11?. L ! tied to any mau or set of men. Will always act on his own individ al responsibility and judgment, in voting upon the issues that come up. Ile said that ho could not hope to have all of tin; people agree with him on every stand that he may take in tin- senate, as there is al ways a difference of opinion among men on public issues. But he in dulged the hope that his constitu ency would always believe that. wi r.b. tho lights before him, he did thr very best that he could. Next Mr. Nicholson referred in complimentary terms to the high plane upon which his opponent haf pitched his campaign, and stated that at the close of the campaign they will be as warm personal friends as they are now. The first real issue to be discussed by Mr. Nicholson, was the state hos pital for the insane. Aftersetting forth the needs of that institution which he personally inspected a few years ago, Mr. Nicholson stated that one question to be voted upon in the November election is the is suing of $1,000,000 in bonds by the state for the purpose of removing the hospital to the newly purchased site. He urged his hearers to study thc matter so they can vote upon it intelligently. The speaker next took up the question of taxation, which is nota subject for demagogic discussion bui one which should receive honest thought and effort. He read the figured extending over a period of several years showing how steadily and rapidly the appropriations have advanced. It will be his earnest endeavor if elected to relieve as mi,ch as possible the burden of the people, not striking out this or that appropriation entirely -but asking that a reduction be made all along the line. In referring to the liquor ques tion, Mr. Nicholson stated that?he assisted in passing the Carey-Coth ran bill. This is now the law and pet mits each county tp settle thc matter for itself. Heir g question ed here as to whether or not he signed the petition last winter for the dispensary election, Mr. Nich olson replied, "No." The epeaker said in effect: "We have made good progress in the settlement of this question in this ?ouuty and if the politicians will let it alone it will work out all right." As-h is time had about expired," Mr. Nicholson, simply stated that he favors good roads and the con tinued improvement of the schools. Favors bi-ennial session*?, having voted for it in the legislature. Mr. Nicholson stated that Judge Jones was his preference for gover nor, but if elected he will represent thc: whole people, protecting their interests more than thal of Jones or l?lease. In concluding he said: I have only love for my people, for my county and for my state, and I will always legislate for the good of my people as I see it." Jerome H. Courtney. The first candidate for the House of Representatives to speak was Je rome II. Courtney. Among other things he said: ''Two years ago 1 ; was comparatively unknown over th<! county, my business having in the past kept nie close at home, yet the people honored me by electing mt- one of their representatives. If I i ever receive another honor I shut] always appreciate wl?at they th- n conferred upon me. As a leg isi dor my record shows forUself. I t dd you two years ago that if elected I did not expect, to jump in and create any great excitement but, j lb: t I would stick to my post and i ?lo my duty. You did not see my j name in the papers many times but I : ave your business the very bes tl th-light of which ? was capable. I] co seientiously endeavored torcp res 'itt. all cl .asses. Mr. Courtney then spoke at some j lt t '.'iii ?if a bill which he introduced pr? h i biting hawkers and peddlers fri m going on one's premises with-' ou: permission. Although liewa.-' fought by able lawyers, the bill parsed the House 'anti was sent toi tin-senate. IK- promised to secure ils passage if re-ilceted. True ttl his promise of two year-* agoto the people, Mr. Courtney stn ed that hf, together with Mr. Ashley of Anderson ami Mr. Smith .d' Greenville, endeavored to have a bili passed providing for the sale nf thc state farms l?u: the sentiment was loo strong against them. They, however, passed a measure placing convicts on the public roads of the couniy in which they were con vie" cd. He next spoke of thc effort to re model the State House and of the claim of a certain architect for ?lo,500 for drafting plans, etc.. Ile opposed the payment of this claim, also the claim of ?!)00 made by the architect for a plaster model that is now exhibited in the lobby of the I State House. Mr. Courtney stated that Mr. Rainsford introduced and secured the.passage through the senate of a bill providing for a rural police for Edgefield county. When the bilhwas sent to the House he aided in having that body pass it also. As to good roads, Mr. Courtney said he has given much thought to this question and the more he stud ies it the larger it gets. He advo cates having the county chaingang do'^rmanent work and then en gage township overseers to keep up the.roads where work is needed be fore the chaingang again visits that section. Some favor issuing bonds bul he stated that he is opposed to that means of providing funds. Mr. Courtney favors ruad improvement aloilg the line that other progres sive counties are making. The apeaker declared that he has always stood for economy in every departmeut of government, but he does not believe in false economy. Mr. Courtney said some few had ised some of his votes. He Te ;ViOple.iwJwrifei: Mr. Hiease was governor but that he has never been influenced by him. When he thought the governor was right he voted with Him ind when in Iiis judgment the governor was wrong he did not hesitate to vote against him. Said he: "T will do -Judge Jones tho same way, if he is elected, and I hope he will be. ] expect to give him my vote." N. G. Evans. The next speaker, Captain N. G. Evans, also a candidate for the ll ons e, began by saying ll years ago he visited Republican, where togeiber willi the lamented Dr. MeKie and oth ers, he helped sift manera and try to arrive at what was best, for the people of the community to do in the exigency that confronted them. The Bristow amendment next en $y5x. * * &&&&jSfe -jj \>... S3! M ?yl?i m naged the speaker's attention, re ferring to a recent visit to Washington, where ho questioned Speaker Champ * lark, House Dem ocratic leader Underwood and other prominent men concerning this much moored matter. Ile sta led that in South Carolina we have been electing our senators by a vote if the people since 189U, and thal while we oin not need such .1 law the stales in the north and north west du need it in order that the people .md not the trusts may rule. Mr. Evans said there will abso lutely no danger result, from the amendment The other sections of the country have too much respect for the South ever to attempt to en fi>roe objectionable federal election laws down here. Capt. Evans said that if th';re is ? one thing he is loyal to above a others, it is his own famil; and that Goverrnor Blease h made an attack on his brother whi< he can not prove. Therefore, 1 will support and cast h: /allot f< Judge Jones. He then entere'' on a discu sion of the pro /oads at son length, statin; at for the past te years we have been spending $2( OOO a year on the roads of the cou: ty and have nothing to show for i He stated that in spite of the fa< that $200,000 has been spent on th road has not 2 miles of road o which an automobile can make 2 miles an hour. over. It is imposs ble for our people to have bette roads without paying for thea Twenty convicts can not keep ii 1,400 miles of public road? such a we have in this county. Capt Evans said it will take the chain gang six months to put five mile of the Blocker road in proper con dition. The need for better road in Edgefield county is very great Our lands would enhance in value the schools and churches would b better attended. He spoke of th way the roads in Marion county ar being improved. Bonds to tin amount of $100,000 have been issu ed and lu" miles of public road im proved without one cent of addi tional taxes being paid. The annu al interest of' 4 per cent is taker from the general county fund Three commissioners are serving without compensation and they havt employed a competent engineer whe is under bond to build scientifically a road that is guaranteed not tc need repair in ti ve year?. Capt. Evans said that good roads will cost money but we are living in a progressive age and should havt them. A mau will pay $10 for a suit of clothes where he paid on ly $5 some years ago and that it takes a $125 buggy where one for $64 used tb answer. Let a bon?l issue foi people. In speaking of the whiskey ques tion, Capt. Evans said that has been settled and "you can't turn a peg without a vote of the people. The legislature may enact laws but the people must de cide the matter at last." The status in this county can not be changed unless a majority of the people make a change at the ballot box. Capt. Evans will oppose any in crease of taxes. While we are spending more money for the schools than for any other purpose, yet we are getting something for it. Our money ls being wisely exp -lid ed and we have a better educational system. Ile stated that the levy in the town of Edgefield is nearly 4 pei cent but that he never minds heavy taxes when the returns are commensurate. Clemson and Winthrop have a warm place in Cap'. Evans' af fections but he is of thc opinion thal there is sonic extravagance in tin' management of these institu tions. Would cut his right ann off before he would ses them injured but does not want to see the public l u inls wasted. In concluding, Capt. Evans said in effect: "if 1 am sent to the leg islature I will give my tim . and the best efforts ol' my band and heart for the promotion of the people's interest.*1 S. T. Williams. >'c.\i came th? only bachelor in ? the race for the House, .Mr. S. T. Williams. As he advanced to thc stand, some ona in the audinecel jocularly remarked. "Now we v. ill he ir from the widower," caused Mc williams 1? open his speech with the following language, making a tliurst at Iiis opponents by wa\ of al pleasantry: "Von may call mc al widower and criticise mc because ! am a bachelor, but I'll promise you that if I ever, marry I will not do j .ts all of ruy opponents have done ~~ go out of the county to get a wife." Mr. Williams said he bas bee:: a candidate before and that every lime he has asked for the votes ol' t!ie people his frientls sind neigh bors of his own box have voted solidly for him, of which lae! lie is justly very proud. The people of his section are divided on Gov. Blease and Judge .Iones, but Av. Williams saitl ali of them will vote for him. He referred to the improved con dition of the school houses in the county, and advocated the consoli- . dation of weak schools. He said it is better for the children to be put to some inconvenience in order that they may have longer terms and better advantages. Mr. Williams gave a somewhat detailed account of his recent visit to Clemson college. He spoke first of the splendid equipment, refer ring to the 7 or 8 handsome brick buildings, the 75 or more residences for the members of the faculty, the new $20,000 cattle barn and the re cently completed ?20,000 dairy. There are yo professors in the fac ulty. The farm contains 1,400 acres of fine land, both upland and river bottoms. Viewed as a whole, Mr. Williams considers the location of Clemson as one especially pro vided by nature for an agricultural college. He was greatly pleased with the experiment station. Un der the direction of the institution the sum of $110,000 was spent last year in the extermination of cattle ticks, in the treatment of glanders, etc., in the sta'.e. Mr. Williams was delighted with what he saw and learned- about the farmers col lege. He says though that he found some grass on the Clemson farm just as he sees on the farms over this county. Having been twitted by way of a pleasantry for not having taken unto himself a good woman for a helpmeet, Mr. Williams exonera ted himself from all culpability by relating some of the vicissitudes of his early life. His father died when he was only ll years ol' age, leaving 8 sisters, besides his mother, who were largely dependent upon his efforts for a support. Between the atre of ll ami 30 ' be had to educate himself and his sisters. At:i0-odd he had not a cent of mop?v. b?it hen began to 'roll a financial ball." Mr. Williams said in substance: ''I am som a man is u> be judged irv thc way lie east? his ballot. I im no figurehead. In 1874 I came [.?wu to this section, then a mere rwy, and took part in the suppres doii of the Ned Tennant riot. In L87(J I rode all (over this county iud also give assistance in Abbe ville in driving out the Carpet-bag gers ami restoring white suprema cy. In fact, the first .>:.irt 1 ever ?yore was a red shirt i:> '70. In 1890 1 took another stand, also igaiii in 18i)*J. Ii'? can't be elect id on my record 1 du not -.vant the .Hire.** Willi referenc1 to the qnesti m is to the candidates for governor. Mr. WiHiams did not statu which tvould receive his support or fo? A* ho m he would v:**i his ballot. M. ?. Wells. "Tho best lor n of government ii tile world i> a Republican gov rnment with tho Denunn?"?*? in (Continued to the fourtn page.;