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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, ?904. The Sumter Watchman was founded in 1S50 and the True Southron in 1866. The Watchman und Southron now ba? the com? bined circulation and influence of both of -the old pap?is, and is manifestly the best advertising medium in Sumter. THE fliff HIM OPENED. TIE CANDIDATES PRESENT IN FORGE -ONLY TIREE ABSENT. All of the Speakers Stuck to Their Subjects, There Were no Per? sonalities and no Sensa? tions. A Quiet, Orderly and Pleasant Political Gathering. The State campaign opened here yes? terday with the meeting in the Court House which was attended by between three and four hundred people who . fairly represented not only this city but nearly all sections of Sumter coun .. iy, with a number of representative citizens of Lee county scattered throughout the crowd, it was an in teiligent, thoughtful and critical I audience and one that was not to be ...impressed by buncombe and mere vol ; ame. of sound. The speeches of the . candidates were heard with attention and.what they had to say will be weighed and considered for exactly . what it is worth and no more. There was-no enthusiasm to warp the judg ent and but little applause, Con? gressman Lever, Gov. Hey ward and Maj. John H. Earle, being the recipi ts of the most cordial welcomes whoa introduced. The meeting was called to order roxnptly ai ll o'clock by County hairman E. W. Dabbs, who invited r. N. W. Edmunds to open the meeting with prayer. Chairman Dabbs made a brief speech before proceeding to introdluce the candidates in which he laid stress upon the necessity of making the cam? paign one of sane discussion of real issues and not one of personalities. Jle also urged upon the Democrats of the County and State that they not only vote ia the party primary but that they qualify themselves as electors and turn out at the general election and Vote for the nominees cf the party. Hon. A. F. Lever, who is a candi? date for reelection to Congress as the representative of the Seventh District was the first speaker. He expressed his sincere appreciation of the support he had received in Sumter in former j 'campaigns and said that he was ( glad to^have the opportunity of thanking \iris friends under such favorable, and to him ~?ost gratifying, conditions, fer he felt that the owe fact that he ? had no opposition was the best evi-1 .dence that his efforts to serve the ? ' people of the district "and of the State ! . had met with the practically nnani- j mons approval of the voters cf that j " district. ? y He promised for the future that he j -?'.would put forth the same efforts in j the iwterests of the State that he had in the pssr, and that he felt sure that . added experience would serve to make his efforts more successful. Of espe? cial interests to Sumter was his assur V ance that at the next session of Con- ! . gres the appropriation for a Federal j .building would he made and that the j ' building would be a r - ;ty within a ; short space of time. ?? reference to j ? national affairs he snl?' lhat the,Dem? ocratic party had not 1 ad in years so I great an opportunity of winning the presidency and the control cf the H< use as it has now and thar it is shameful that a certain leader who! jiad been so Sien*?Hy honored by t-ie party for e:?:ht }<-ars should now be guiity of a-i ai tempt to ki;ife the . leaders who ar*> werkin?? for harmony within ^he party and the overthre w cf the Repu blicks. The only hop** rf ihe Democracy, ne said, was to :>\\]\ behind the able conservative leaders who ar^ doing ail within their power^ to unite the party and carry it to vic tory despite the disloyal course of eer- . tain leaders who >eem animated by a apirit cf vindicte verei-s because they have been deposed from leadership.. Gov. D. C. Heyward, the next speaker, said that he felt it needless to say to a Sumter audience that he . was glad to be here today ; that I e , had felt and would always feel that * the cordial welcome extended to his first appearance as a candidate in ; Sumter two years ago and the hearty j and loyal support given him in the j election had very much to do with his success. Ke appreciated the loyal friendship of Sumter and would over prize it as a cherished possessio a. After brieiiv reviewing in general \ terms his administration be said that ! at the present time there are no issues j before the voters cf the State, that i he in common with all true Democravs gladly welcomed the day when the factional issues, differences and bitter? ness that had so long divided our peo? ple were not only dead but buried out of sight and we are once again united and harmonious party. There were, however, two points be j ! desired to particularly emphasize. First, the need of education in State. In-so-far as the institut for higher education LTB concer the State is now well equipped most excellent work is being d But the common schools are not equipped and are not meeting the n of the masses, who ii educated at must be educated in our com schools. The common schools r< the masses and it is admitted 1 they are not so well equipped and gani zed as they should be. The * of improvement cannot be all dont the State Superintendent of Edi tion, nor by the County Superint? ents unassisted. The people th selves most be interested and aron.? the schools need to be improved the people should then see to it t the children attend these schools. Second, the crying evil cf homici Scarcely a day passes but that newspapers record that some So Carolina man has taken the life of fellowman. It is a shame to the St and an evil that has grown so gi that it calls for an immediate rexm if one ca*n be found. The remedy '. with the people themselves, not w the laws. The remedy is a heah public sentiment that will ster frown down this shedding of hun blood. When the people themsel say that homicide must cease South Carolina, then will the St be freed from this reproach which 1 given us an ill name not only in tl country, but among the nations Europe as well. He said that the dispensary law the only one which the Governor specifically required to enforce a the only one that he has t power to enforce. He cannot ordei sheriff to arrest any law breaker, b he could and was required to order dispensary constable to raid a premises upon which the dispensa law is violated. He had endeavor to enforce the law as his duty requir ard the people should decide how J had measured np to his responsibii ties. The financial condition of tl State is not satisfactory ; it is nece sary to borrow money to meet cu rent expenses. It will be necessa: to borrow 8145,000 more this ye: than last. He is in favor of placii the State on a cash basis and this cz be done only by an equitable asses ment of property which he favore? The good roads question which W2 talked of in the last campaign as a issue, is just as much an issue now ? then and would so continue. 13 stood now where he stood then as a ardent advocate of good roads. H favored, as he had always done, th pension of Confederate veterans wh stand in need of aid. Lieutenant Governor John T. Sloa made a stirring speech on gener2 terms. One remark, ''That he favcre eveiything very much," brought dow the house and the laughter was lon; and loud, for this seemingly inadver tent confession described the attitud of all cf the candidates to a nicety. State Treasurer R. II. Jenning who is candidate for reelection for ; third term after thanking the peop'i for their support ic former years an< expressing his gratification that he i without opposition although he come: before the people with the unusual ie quest for a third term, briefly ex? plained the financial condition cf th? State government and gave de tai li concerning the money borrowed ex? plaining why he had deemed it neces? sary to borrow so much so early ir the yaar and showing that by doing sc he bad really saved money by obtain? ing a lower rate of interest than would have been possible later ia the year. Secretary o? State, Jesse T. Gmtt, the only State House officer who has opposition, said that he asked for a second term not as a right, but be? cause it was in accord with precedent and b( cause if a second term was re? fused him it would be the sn me as a public condemnation of Hs adminis? tration of the office:. If reelected he would pledge himself to give faithful and efficient service, as Le had en? deavored to give in tho past. lu re f? erence to thc investigation cf his office by the regular legislative committee he SKI j thai a thorough examination had been completed of Li- ellice and everything: Lau b-^t .1 found correct In the seventeen months he had been in office be had re. eived about 825,000 in small ft es, every dollar of which Was accounted ior. lie did no* keep a double entry s. r of books a.? Lis office was net furni.-hrd a book kei per, but he did kef p a careful daily record of all transactions and records and vouchers in Lis office show for them? selves. Coi. M. P. Tribble, of Ardersen, who is the opposing candi Jato for Sec? retary of'State was not present. Superintendent of Education, O. B. Martin, made a speech that pleased the crowd, ile told several jokes that served to illustrate the points cf his argument, and gave a lot of interest? ing statistics relative to the schools of the State, the most striking of which were that 120 school houses, ranging in cost from 8100 to 842,000 had been built during his term and that within the past seven months 3,000 rural school libraries have been established as the result of the Aull school library law, all except four counties having taken advantage cf the law. He hoped to see the law continued next year and the appropri? ation increased. He favors a larger salary for County Superintendents of Educati on, longer school terms, bet? ter teachers and larger special school taxes ir. special disticts as the means of improving the public school sys? tem. Adjutant General John F. Frost made a short speech, but pledged him? self to continue his earnest efforts tn improve the militia of South Caroli? na. ?s a matter of local interest he stated that he had arranged to have the Second Eegiment Band of this city mustered into the service as the regular regimental band and that it vgpuld be as fully and handsomely equippei as any band in the service. The equipment will be provided for a band of 28 pieces and will cost more than $1,800. Comptroller General A, W. Jones was glad to be present and promised to give his best efforts to discharge the duties of office as they should be. Attorney General ?. X. Gunter, did not speak long but he made a good impression. His statement of the work required of the Attorney General and the work that had been accomplished during the past year impressed the crowd with the fact that he has given his time and attention to the duties of the office. Solicitor John S. Wilson was called for, bu; was unavoidably absent, be? ing in attendance on court in George tov - Nc came the hinder race, with six . iitries for the office of Railroad Commissioner. Jamen Cansler, of Tirzah, was first called, Dut he was not there to ans? wer. C. W. Garrie, the incumbent, who seeks reelection, after serving one tenn of six years made a strong speech .'showing a thorough familiarity with the duties of the office and with its difficulties and the limitations that hedge the commissioners about in their efforts to do what is expected of them by the public. He showed by comparison that South Carolina now enjoys, as a whole, lower freight rates than either Virginia. North Carolina or Georgia. He asked for reelection not as s. right, but on his merits and his ability to serve the people of the State. Mr. Garris was followed by W. Boyd Evans, of Columbpia, John H. Earle, of Greenville, John J. Mobley. of Fairfield, and J. H. Gignill.iat, of Oconee, all of whom spoke with force, energy and earnest? ness. Each one promised to discharge the duties of the office as they should be and pledged an improve? ment 0:1 past administrations. Weekly Crop Bulletin. Columbia, June 21. -The week end? ing 8 a. m., June 20th, had a mean temperature of 47 degrees, which is nearly 5 below normal, due lo very low temperatnres during thc first-four days ai:d rising temperature to near'y normal warmth during the la*t three. The extremes were a minimum of 51 at Flore:;cF, Greenville and Spartan bum cn ti e 14th and 35th, and a max? imum ot ??."> zr Blackville on the !8ih. The relative humidity was abnor? mally low until the i9th, and the winds were fresh to bri>k easterly un? til the last two days when they shifted to southerly. The sunshine exceeded the normal, but with generally cloudy weather on the 18th and 19th. The '.veek was without rain, or with only very light, scattered showers, un? til the ISth, when showers set in over the extreme west, and continued dur? ing the 19th, but confined to the west? ern anil southwestern counties, with a maximum fall of 2.44 inches at Spar? tan burg. The other western counties had frc in one-half to one inch. In the other parts of the State the soil has a2ain become very dry, and in places the drought is very severe, especially in portions cf York county. In most of the central counties wells are fail? ing and ail but the largest streams are dry, SD that water for domestic vse and foi: cattle is ?-caree. The absence of rain, ard the bright scnshir.e, and drying wind.-- were fav? orable fer lidding fields of grass and weeds, and most fields are clean and well cultivated. These conditions were also favorable for finishing wheat and ca.ts harvest, and for beginning thrashing, but ti;e cool nights and dry weather checked the growth of all crops, particularly cotton, pastures and gardens. The condition of corn continues promising, but- it needs rain in most sections, as early corn is in the tas? seling stage. Much of it has boen laid by. Worms in the tops are dam? aging the crop in ene county. Roast? ing esr* are available in the southern? most portions. Coo! nights materially cheeked tha growth of cotton early in the week, but higher temperatures at its close were mure favorable. lace infest fields over practically the entire State. As a rule the plants are small but thrifty, and fields are clean and well cultivated. Cotton is fruiting well on sandy lands, and occasional blooms are reported from tho southern coun? ties. Sea-island cotton is doing well. Tobacco continues promising, but needs rain. Rice planting is finished ; early rice has received its harvest flooding. Melon vines are vigorous, but l ite, lt has been too dry to con? tinue to plant sweet potato slip?, and stands of those set out previously are generally poor. The commercial peac crop is good, bufe in many localitii peaches and apples are dropping e: cessively. Pastures and gardens ai parched, and in need of rain. Sowiu peas on stubble lands progressed slo? ly as the soil has been too dry. THE ROOSEVELT CONVENTION The Features of the Proceeding are Good Order and the Unin? terrupted Carrying Out of a Prearranged Programme. Chicago, June 21.-Without a di.? tarbing element to impede its. smoot operation the third day's programm for the Republican National Conver tion was carried off like clock-wort Not a jarring sound was heard, not false step taken. It was an assembl of non-combative delegates, which cai ried into effect, without the thundei ons demonstration usually attendan upon political conventions, a purpos that had bene clearly defined. An organization was perfeci/jd pre paratory to the adoption of a platform and the making of nominations in th succeeding days of the Convention From the quiet, yet unmistakable enthusiasm provoked by Senator Fair banks's arrival at the Coliseum, hi nomination for Vice President is bu little less assured than the nominatio] of Theodore Rooesvelt for President The keynote to the campaign of 190' was sounded by the Hon. Elihu Roo in his speech as temporary chairman His address was a review of the ac complishraents of the present Admin istration and a defence of Repnblicai policies in general. When that hac bein delivered and the varion: working commiitees * dispatched tc their labors, the business of the firsi day's session was complete, g Another picture was presented bj the opening day, so different fron the customary Convention scene as tc attract marked attention. It was thc failuie of the delegates and the spec? tators to warm to the spirit of the oc? casion. Mention of President Roose? velt was responded to with hearty, though not prolonged applause. The lack cf contest eliminated the neces? sity for enthusiastic display of feeling, and the mild cheering and rather list? less hand-clapping, which was the greeting given impartiality to nation? al figures of the party, was all, proba? bly, that could be expected under the circumstances. The lack of public interest in the Convention was evidenced by the large number of spectators' seats vacant. Seats at former Republican conven? tions usually brought a premium. To? day speculators offered them, but there were few takers, and as the hour approached for the Convention to as? semble they sold for a song. A wild? erness of vacant seats was in the gal? lery and cn the mezzanine floor, where not more than two-thirds of the chairs were occupied. The ?rst floor was well filled. Thc picture was one of gcod order, where sergeants-at-arms and policemen were not needed. " In the Convention Hali today there was one woman delegate, who had the same right to vore that was held by each accredited male delegate. She was Mrs. Charles A. Eldridge, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, an alter? nate delegate, whose principal was absent. Other women alternates pres? ent were Mrs. Owen Lefevre, of Colo? rado ; Mrs. Susan West, of Idaho, and Mrs. Jennie E. Nelsen, of Utah, these States having woman suffrage. SOUTHERN COMMITTEEMEN. The following have been chosen on the new Republican national commit? tee ; Alabama, Charles II. Scott: Florida, J. N. Coombs ; Georgia, Jucsjn W. Lyons; Kentucky, John W. ?erkes : Louisiana, Walter L. Cohen; Mississippi, L. B. Mosely; South Carolina, John G. Capers; Texas, Cecil A. Lyons; Tennessee, W. P. Bownlow; Virginia, George E. Bowden; Arkansas, Powell Clayton: West Virginia, N. 13. Scott. The fellowing have been chosen as members of tue committee on resolu? tions: Alabama, Andrew N. Johnson; Arkansas, Charles F. Duke; Florida, W. H. Northrup; (leo:iga. W. H. Johnson ; Kentucky, George W. Long; Louisiana', J. Madison Vance; Mis? sissippi, W. E. Mollison : Sjuth Car? olina, E. J. Dicker-on : Tennessee, Dana Harmon; Texas, A. J. Rosen? thal: Virginia, 1). L. Groner; Wist Virginia, George W. Atkinson. .Gibraltar, Jure 20.-The, United States battles!)ip squadron, consisting of the Kearsargc, Alabama, Maine and Iowa arrived here today and will sail for Tangier af fer coaling. . m. -a-?a?-war1-- - >v-**n-****v~ CANDIDATES' CARDS The announcement cards of candidates will he published In thesecolumns until the Dem? ocrat!''primary fei- Bvc dollars, payable in \ ari al?! y in advance. FOR C01TQRESS. ~~ I. hereby, announce myself a candidate f?'i thu Democratic.nomination forthe 59th Con press, from thc Seventh Congressional Dis I riet <>f Sun h Carolina, and pledge myself to abide the result of iii" primary, and lo sup? port the nominees of the party. ?. F. LEVER. " FOR SHERIFF. !. hereby, announce myself ;i candidate for lin- otfice'of Sheriff <>f Sumter ?-? m n i y. and pledge myself to abide the result <>f tue pri? mary an?) Mipi" ?rt the nominees of i lu* na rt v. c. w. STA NS 111. J hereby announce myself a candidate for Sheriff of Sumter County, subject to the de? cision of the Democratic primary election. W. S. DINK INS. I The Welsh Neck High Schcol Has just closed a prosperous session, enroll? ing 194 boarding students. Its catalogues are now ready for distribution. Send us your address and we will take pleasure in mailing one to you You will enjoy look? ing over it. J. W. GAINES, Prin., Hartsville, S. C. June 15-3 m A CLEANING-OP SALE OF and Ends There are some items in our stock of which we were forced to buy very largely in order to get them at our price, and while our sales of them have been all we could reasonably ex? pect, we are determined to dispose of the surplus, let the loss be what it may. STRAW HATS AT 1=2 PRICE. Did you ever buy a 50 cent Hat at 25 cents ? If not, we will give you an opportunity of doing so. We cleaned up a lot of 500, none of which were worth less than 50 cents, some we sold for even more, you get your choice of what is left for a 1=4 of a Dollar. Men?s Underwear at 48 cents a suit. We have about 200 suits of these left in colors only. They were manufactured td sell for ?1, but they did not and now you get them for less than half of that. 2=Piece Suits at Cost. We have a nobby assortment of patterns in these, second to none in the city, our only trouble being we bought too many and want to unload. Women's Tan Shoes at 1=2 Price. Every pair of them are worth $1.50. Pick them out while hey last ac 75 cent.*. Ladies' Oxfords at $1.00. These are the Godman brand, our $1,50 leader, and too we'l known to need further comment frGi?. us. Shirt Waists at Cost. This lias been an off year in shirt waists : if you are not supplied, jon can have your choice of our stock at actual cost. Ladies' Skirts at Cost. We have orfy a limited number of these left, and the sizes are consequently badly broken. The values are excellent, and if you get fitted you are fortunate. , We reserve the right to withdraw these offerings at any time. X O? Craig Furniture Co. "--AND Licensed Embalmers, No. SOS North Main Street. With a full and complete stock of supplies, larger than ever before, we are better prepar? ed to render prompt and satisfactory service. Calls attended promptly DAY OE NIGHT Day Phone, 14 - tfight Phone, 201. May ? : m_ |rJ--.-- ti .. ? i WU? um an m BMWI rijyiiMi JIUM-'^^'? aM?*',WM>WBW:-'-' w.-^-^BSMm KEEP US IN MiiND. We buy and sell Eeal Estate and collect Kents, in city or country. We sell all kinds of Insurance, including Fire, Lite, Accident and Health, representing only the strongest companies. Well appreciate a share af your business. WHITE & MCCALLUM, The Real Estate and Insurance Men. OFFICE KO. 18 S. MAIN STREET - - PHONE NO. 143. Mch !? - Iv