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The Press and Banner ABBEVILLE, S.C. .380-Published every Wednesday at ft year in advance. Wednesday, Aug. 3, 1892 : The Met'tlii;; on Sale Itny. The Tillman meeting on Sale Day was alum, i dautly satisfactory to theantis. The crowd has been variously estimated, we believe, from six hundred to sixteen hundred. lu comparison with the antt meeting two weeks ago. some place the crowd at less than that meeting and others think it was from one hundred to onc-thlrd larger than the anti meeting. We give no estimate ourself, but quote the estimates given by others, leaving each reader to form his own conclusion. The behavior was excellent. As far as we are informed, no anti interrupted any speaker with a single question, and in this respect the conduct of the antis was in notable contrast with the acts of the Tillmanltos on the occasion of the anti meeting. As we have undertaken to give a full account of the Lowndesville meeting, we did not even attend the meeting on Sale l>ay, mid are unable to give a report of any ot the speeches. We hear, however, that some of the speakers urged a strict drawing of the lines in the election between the Tillrnanites and the antis. We make mention of this fact for tlie reason that the hundreds of antis in the county may be a factor in the coming elcctlou, and if the lines are to be drawn strictly against the antis thej may draw a line or two themselves. If we are not. mistaken the antis of this town at the election in 1S:?> save their neighbor Tillrnanites a very haiulsotuo vote, but if they do not want our votes we presume other Tillrnanites will be glad to get them. At present it seems that there will be but one anti candidate for the Legislature, and if our town Tlllmanite friends object to our voting for them we presume the country Tillmanite candidates will not object to our casting a vote for them. There is no rubbing it out. that the antis have some votes, which they will not force upon those who object. (Jetting Their Eyes Open. If the sentiment against the Press and Banner is a true index?and we think it is?the Tiilmanltes are awakened to the fact that the anils will be at the polls oh the suth. The antisare gaining ground every day in every county, and the more public affairs are discussed the more converts to theanti side, and even if we should have to throw away the anti votes, we will at least not be compelled to vote for gentlemeu who publicly announce that they do not want our votes. Another thing: If tbe bosses or dictators do uot forbid the great multitude from reading the anti newspapers, they may be actually beaten at the polls. This campaign is one which can not allow the endorsers of the administration to read. If they read both hides they are almost sure to join the an lis. If the leaders, therefore, do not take immediate steps to exclude tbe Press and Banner from the houses of tbe Tillman Ites dire consequences may result to the Tillmanitc gentlemen who are running tor office. "President Stokes when a?ked about the total memberships declared thai he could give 110 tlgures with any degree of accuracy, lie said however that the Alliance was making great headway and was right now able to vote in solid phalanx 'J.OUO men more than ever before."?The State. Wbllfe we believe there are still many men in Abbeville County who think that education, fltness, and respectability arc ' bars against holding public office, yet we also believe that tbe Alliance In Aboeville County is virtually dead, and this conviction is forced upon us by the last meeting of the quarterly Alliance. Very few of the better class of its former membership were present, and a large per cent, of those who were here were caudi" dates for office. The people are recovering their senses in this part of the world, audi have about concluded to do their own thinking and their own voting. Their eyes are being opened to the fact that the Alliance itself Is lamely controlled by town people who may not be averse to holding office which they have heretofore not been able to get. mm ^ "Draw the I.inc'N.** We believe these an; the words of some of the speakers yesterday. That of course is equivalent to saying that the votes of the antis are not wanted. It is to be hoped, there" fore, that no self-respecting anti will vote for any man who does not desire him to do so. Ntiirlling;. President J. Wi lliam Stokes in his annual address is reported to have made this assertion in reference to the Alliance: ' Men of acknowledged ability and honesty have openly joined our tight.*' Does the learned Doctor mean to say what is implied? If so, the true and loyal A111anceinen should lynch him on sight. Acknowledge* that Wnrel'nrc Exist*. President J. William Stokes said in ills address: "It may not be out of place lo refer to another scarcely less menacing phase of the tight between monopoly and tlie masses." <>ood Report. The readers of the Press and lianner are Indebted to Mr. James M. linker for the excellent account of tlie l<owndcsville meeting, which we publish this week. It was the first meeting of tbe campaign, and Mr. linker has been to considerable labor in presenting us with so good a report. ? mm ? ? What Does this Mean? The Tillmanites charge the Haiiroad Companies with discharging their Tlllmanite em-i ployces. Mr. Campbell, section master on the Abbeville Krnnch, is an anti. Last week he was discharged without any known cause. Can it he that he lost his job 011 account of his politics? To Cor respondent*. We beg your indulgence. We haven't room this week for your appreciated favors. They will have the best places next week. There is 110 truth In the assertion that the editor of the Press and Manner intends to boy. cot any printer, or anybody else, for his political opinions. We have in our ollicc only one voter in the primary. We do not know how lie will vote, bin lie is a regular render or t lie State, anil takes that paper in preference to all others. ^ wm ? J( is Fail) that some of the Tillmanite candidates want the lines drawn. II' they . indrawn, then lie does not want any antl voic Anti votes, as lar as they go, are as good as any, and men of ordinary sagacity are glad to get votes. If our Tillmanite friends In town insiston our not voting for them, we shall not complain, as it is quite probable that some of Hie country candidates will be glad to get them. Mks. si.uan, of Columbia, and Mrs. a ilea, of Clinton, are visiting their lather, .Mr. i'. i A. Wilson, of Warrenton. Miss Li/./.ii-: Kki.i.ki: and .Miss Annie Wil-i sou are vititing relatives in Abbeville. mmmmmmmmmmmmmm m mm?wmmmmnmm turn LOINDESVILLE'S MEETING.1 ~ J THE CAMPAIGN IS OPENED ON THE SEVEN HILLED CITY. ? - Kpmkrrs From all I'arts of I tic Comity Kn lighten the Voter*on flutters Political ? Reports of ilie S|ieeclieN ?Tin' Catechism -Anmvors-llM'liirut ion ol'Tillman Principles. I,own<lcsvHle, S. July -7, l?HJ. Th<> campaign for litis county is on, ami by order of (lie Oiuniy Kxi'cutive Coin mil the caiuihlates for liic various olliecs. numbering about lorty-livc. not Inctuillii;; the electors of either faction of tlie parly. met at I.owtuiesville to-day to begin the campaign, it was a gooil beginning, ami it is to lie hoped .. in ..i,,! wot! Th?i best of lecling prevail I'd anions; the various candidates, ami the audience was one that nave good attention. The day was a representat i\e .1 illy day. and the thertnotr vter registered about '.HI degrees in tliu shade. The speaking took place In "Mitchell's Grove," famous tor just sucii gatherings in the past, and the people who assembled to hear the discussions of the day seemed to tie more attentive than is usual at such meetings. The crowd is estimated at about 700 or SO I, there being a great many ladies present. * J>r. A..I. Speer presided as chairman of the meeting, and called it to order at 10;:Sf? o'clock. The Rev. ii. I\ Franks was asked to open the meeting with prayer, and lies..id: o thou who art the maker and preserver of us all, in mercy look on us to-day as wo are assembled this beautiful and bright morning in this grove to transact business of a secular importance, also religious as well. May all be done as in the immediate presence of the all-seeing one. May we remember that righteoustiess exalteth a nation, while sin is a reproach to any people. May there be nothing rash in oureo.iduct here to-day (io(| bless our land and nation. Guide at the helm in national affairs, God tdessSonth Carolina in all her interests. G?.d bless Abbeville county. Give to this county good legislators. that we may have good laws, to this end rule our people and our rulers and teach our Legislators and Senators wisdom. May all the county ollices be tilled with good and ellicieni men. May this day's exercises be an example to guide the canvassing in all the county. In that prudence and man I in ess which is the heltpr part of valor, nuip us toagree to disagree in all things where we honestly dilfer in our views. Come gracious Lord ami preside over Utis days exercises. May all he finally electetl of tiod.and all we ask is in t lie naineof Christ tiu; l.fird. Amen. Statement by the Chairman. The chairman here stated that the citizens of this community met last Saturday evening without regard to party dillerencc, and an reed to make this the first meeting of the campaign, one that we may all feel proud of. A committee on programme was appointed and a resolution was unanimously adopted that :<o questions would he allowed asked any of the speakers from the audience, but any one desiring to ask any questions could do so by putting same in writing and haudlnu to the chairman, and when the speaker tias tinished his remarks, the question would be handed him for an answer. Candidates for Congress, Solicitor and House ot Representatives would be allowed thirty minutes time. Candidates for other county offices will be allowed ten minutes. Tlie chairman asked the audience to bear In mind the request, and introduced J>r. t\ 1$. Carwilc as a candidate lor re-elvctlon to the House of Representatives. Dr. Carwlie spoke in substance as lollows: Dr. Cartvile's Speeeli. Mr. Chnirfnan, Fellow Citizens, Ladies and Gentlemen. I had not expected to be the first speaker on this occasion, this the Ilrst meeting of our campaign, and It seems a little strange, hut ill n.iniimhi.r two vniirs aco tilt; catll pnign closed on this very spot.auil I made ttic last speech of The day. Therefore, il seems, the tirst shall ho lust and the last shall be tirst. Happy am I to-day to meet the brave men and lair ladies ol Lowiidcsvillc. 1 came today to give you ail account of what has been done by your representatives durum the past two years, and 1 thank you lor the handsome vote you save me two years ago, with the hope it will not grow less on the :iUth of August next. li you will remember I took the position two years ago that our government could be so changed that il would be of great benetit to the people, and more especially to the farmers of our State. We have always had a silting government, 1 mean since ISTii, but il ?an be greatly improved in many respects. The demand lor Just such Improvements as are needed in our government Is what has brought about this resolution, and what lias il done for the people. It is endeavoring in emancipate the peopleirom political dinners and conventions for all time to come. While we have gotten as near a direct primary as we can. in justice to the low country, vet I do ..^.i 1...1 ihu nonnlfi of South I'srolina will ever lie satisfied without a direct primary lrom Governor down to coroner. The opposition to ttiis present administration clamored for a direct, primary for Governor and all State otlicers. but it you will remember just as soon as tln-y begin to breath the air of Columbia and lo mingle with that ring crowd, they dropped it and not one word has been said about a direct primary since. Let us review briefly what bus been done by this administration. The first thing done was the re-establishment of our lnstitutfous of learning, upon business principles. The South Carolina College was reorganized and is to-day during lis legitimate work, together with the Citadel Academy of Charleston. The walls of Clemson have been going upand will be completed. It seems strange to me Indeed, my friends, that the opposition have demanded the completion of Clcmson College, and I cannot see for what purpose except a bid tor your votes. The establish men t of the Industrial School for Women has too long been neglected by our State, but its establishment to-day is assured, and its completion will fill a long felt need. It is useless to speak of the benefits of such an institution, and let us congratulate ourselves on the tact that it is to be established in our adjoining county, in the city of Anderson. As to the three dollar poll tax, It may be heavy on the poor people, but something must be done. It is my opinion that the poll tax as now collected is misapplied. I believe that t-in; poll tax should go into the lianas ot the County Treasurer and be applied lo the payment of the county expenses. I.et the two mill lax stand, and require a per capita, u'" " ?W? *? /mnctil Ml iith Mini ill firdiH' If* get. it we must have a Constitution convention. When we i?t?t this we will he able to do away with and get rid of that dirty sheet given lis l?y scalawags and negroes, and frame us :i constitution of our own, by the people and for the people. Tlie recent March Convention ami the cn-' tire opposition press have charged that the credit of our State bus been damaged, \ilien J say such is not the case. Tins administration has met every just obligation made upon it. and has protected the phosphate Interests of our .State by having t lie t'oosaw lease declared null and void, thereby saving the State an immense sum of money. My friends, I will not detain you longer, this administration is on record, and if you will examine it carefully von will vote for I!. K. Tillman lor your next Governor. lama candidate for re-election to a seat in the House of Representatives, and will appreciate your support. ? Speech of Mr. II. J. Kitinrd. Mr. Chairman and Fellow Citizens : 1 am glad to meet the good peopcle of liowndesville. Living on one extreme ol the county myself, causes inn to leel a close sympathy for others who labor under the same disadvantage. On account of the dlslance from our county seat we ure put to greater Inconvenience and more expense in |attending court or any other business. We are deprived ol that acquaintance witii all the people of our county that those enjoy who live nearer tlie center, and when we appear before them as candidates we feel the want of that acquaintance. This is the first tunc 1 have ever appeared oeiore un1 people to ask lor their sutlrage ??r votes. Never in tny llle before did I attempt a public speech on (lie stump. since my college career was ended, nearly twenty years ago, I have lived a quiet business life. J shall make no cllorl at oratory, norshall I speak ol the ureal heroes of other dsivs. whose fume and names and deeds shall live in history lor uenerations to come. I?cing no public speaker I shall talk in a plain ami simple way with you ahnui mutters that concern us at this day and lime. Ileitis in name and heart one with tin- reformers of South Carolina, 1 deem it my duty as well as privilege to speak of the lalse charges that are brought against us. 1'ei'ow cili'/eiis! let me say here, at the t.cginninj: ol' our county campaign, that I hope thai every man in the county will conduct hitiisclt in such a way as that when the election is over and the result published, tliat not a daik spot shall mar ttie beauty and pleasant recollections of a single man or woman. I.el us have th:it Christian spirit and liberality thai belongs in such a grand old county as Abbeville. The very center of education ami reliuement. l.i l abuse and unfairness have no place among us. Let us show to all men that we have brai ., reason, and business capacity. It has been charged that, our leaders who represent us, arc enemies to the Kail Koads, Hanks, and Factories, and every other industry in South Carolina. 1 wish to show here to-day that such is not the case. We are told that they are doing all in their power to oppress the Kail Koads, J do not believe that Gov. Tillman nor any other otlicer In power to-day would Impose a single dollar of unjust, taxes on the Kail Koads or any other institution. They want these corporations simply to pay the same proportional taxes on their property thai is paid on lauds and other real estate, it makes no difference how large the mortgage on your land the valuation for taxes is the same, and all corporations and institutions should fare alike. The burdens bearing evenly ou all clai^Lk. The Hail Knnd.s have been given special privileges by our law makers and they have made millions for their owners north anil elsewhere. What have our farmers maile? Have we not-shown our friendship to these I loads tjy voting hundreds of thousands ofl ! dollars for their construction ? Take for example one county that of spnrtanburg, siie voted a subscription of three hundred or more thousand dollars, and other counties, towns and townships have given large subscript inns. I li I luul a correct estimate of all that our I people have subscribed and given In the way | j oi right of ways to railroads, it would be soi j enormous that it would almost scare you. | Does this not prove that there is no unfriendI liness to the railroads? How many iarrns in our own county are not paying expenses, j much less dividends, and yet. their owners 'only ask that these roads bear the equal bur| den of the t:txe?. I am a Iriend to railroads, and bid (.Soil speed to every industry in South Carolina. We could not do well without! thriii. l>ul legislation is necessary. I waul ItI jdistinctly u 11<I1TSI<1<ul that 1 believe in pro-' grevs and pn>h. Iain proud to say that, rail-j roa<i aeeom modat ions are sucli that we eaii go , as lai in a <tay as our lathers use to go In two weeks. That tli?? great capltol of the I'nited States Is hut a day's journey away. A wee* is sufficient to visit, ?*itlier of ttie great cities? Philadelphia, .\cw York, Boston <<r New Orleans. Who would not. he proud of such accomplishments anil such Institutions? The people may sutler from neglect, hut these great railroad syndicates are able and ever looking after tlielr own interests. They are growing so powerful that legislation and a elo-e watch are necessary to keep them from oppressing the people. It. has been said that corporations have no souls, and when we consider I lie movements of these great combination-', their greed for money, not satisfied hy hurrying their great engines with their weighty burdens to and fro for day and night through the six days allot ted to man for work ?I hey have taken the holy Sabbat h day of rest, and the keen shriek of whistles are made to desecrate the Sabbath throughout the land and country. Where shall itend? Now as to banks. The Alliance is responsible lor 1 he existence of the Farmers Itank at Abbeville, and they have been the means of bringing into existence banks at other places. !..? 1% I I w f t iin kll. e.' i ,>uw uiuj i ii'* ?m? i iv iii uk- inuiim uihI I would ask, does'tills look like hostility to banks? similar fuels could be produced to show (lint they oppose no institution or industry in theSlate. They tell you that the administration is ruining the State, and they cite you to tile Coosaw ease, attempting to show that the st.at(> lost heavily hy the loss of royalty. Well, what, are the fuels in the case? The Coosaw Company would not pay tlm royalty demanded by the Slate.and as soon as the Phosphate Commissioners licensed other companies to dredge in the Coosaw Illver, this company claimed they had an Imletinlte lease and they appealed from our Courts to the Untied States Court and got out an injunction to stop or prevent other companies 'from drcdgiiitt in the Coosaw lliver. Now. what was to be done? Must South Carolina lay down her dignity and bow to a lit tle corporation? I say never, and our authorities dii! right to tight it out In the Courts and to snow that favored corporations must bow to the laws of the State. Would it be wrong In ine to say here that a large element, in iL'e opposing taction would have sounded a note of rejoicing, had the State lost this case, as well as a majority ol the press. Would not this same element rcjoice to see South Carolina deeper in debt, and if possible disgraced in order to injure the present ad mill 1st rat ion ? Where were their sympathies and when did they oiler a word of encouragement? Have they not done all in their power to keep the present rulers troin being as successful as they might have been, had they given their sympalhp In the stead ol abuse and criticism, as was their Christian duty. We are told by some who want, to rule that the leading lawyers knew the Coosaw lease had expired. What a pity these men did not speak <uit before the courts said so, that their wisdom might profit them some. lint, alas, their sympathy was against the State and the following facts stand out as true: the Coosaw I', imiuinv lhi> luwvprs u-lio di-lt*iuli<I it, and I hose wiio were in sympathy with It. cither did not know the lease had expired or else they wanted the State cheated out of her rights. li the State did lose a little royalty for one year the rocks are there and a chance fur the state to make more yet than she lost. They teli us the State will lost- by her bonds going down and they try to pack that oil' on the administration. There are seveial reasons and natural reasons too why those bonds would go down. < Hie is. all bonds decrease in value as they mature and all businessmen know tills; another is, men whom the people have honored and given high positions in the-tale, have arrayed themselves against the Administration and have proclaimed it far and near that the state credit is being ruined, these men are responsible lor any decrease in the value ol bonds it' any one is responsible <Jov. Tillman knew before lie took the reins of government that ho was goieg to meet opposition, in ad ministering the affairs ot the Slate. He knew there were matters to be looked into that hail been allowed to stand so long and that when he touched the interests of these bonds, they would give a bitter f^ght. It there is a class of people on tlie face of the earth who need sympathy and encouragement if is the farmers. Upon his shoulders re?t the corner stones of every industry in the land, and when over production comes where are the protective laws? A brighter day is dawning upon them, i hey are demanding their rights and will get them as soon as they will have quelled the terrible opposition that is trying to force them out. of polities. The bitterness of two years ago was caused by the struggle to break down the reformers the state to-day Is lor the same purpose. I would not advocate any one class ruling the {iivernniPiit. nor would I arraign one cla^s against another, hut that this old ring or club way of doing tilings he ever done away with, an?'l every man, no matter what his calling, have an euuul saying. ThU is hie and death struggle with them to get In and rule again. I Jo your duty from now untii ">0tli of August and then every man of yon cast your vote tor the Tillman electors am! for good representatives and two years hence the opposition will have no where to go. but with you. They te'l you they are your friends, hut they promise you nothing. They tell you of the faults of your rulers, but they fail to show you a single thimr they could better. They tell you they would let railroads and other corporations do as they please, at least that is the inference. They say they would Induce capital to come Into the Stale, but they do not tell you what inducements they have to oh'er. It may be they would exempt them from taxation for a series of years and then you would have their taxes to pay. Now my fellow citizens, I am before you a candidate tor the legislature. If yon think 1 have at heart the interest of South Carolina ami Abbeville county, and that 1 a competent to meet, the responsibilities of the otlice, I would thank you for your support, if you decide to the contrary and think that I would lot represent the whole people, 1 will *tay at home and go to work with as much gracefulness as y ou ever saw. Spcccli of Hon. T. A. <>r:tliuiu. Mr. 'J'. A. Grill mm was next introduced ;is a candidate for re-election to the House of Representatives. lie spoke as follows: Mr. Chairman and fellow-citizens. 1UII countries are inhabited by people who love liberty. It is right, therefore, that till! hills <?t l.owndesville have been selected as the place from which the reform doctrines of equal rights tor all, anil special privileges tor none is to be titst proclaimed in this campaign. As in al! rciorm movements the opposition, afraid to attack the rank and tile of those who favor reform, bemoan and misrepresent the supposed leaders in the figlil, so it is in tliis. (iovernor Tillman, they say, has arrayed country against town and class against class, liut the * assert ion is suggested neither by a knowledge of htiinaii nature nor bv ;i (amili..rlty Willi the history of tills state. l)r. Katnsiiy in his history of this State very well says that "the existence of a court anil country party results from the nature of man ; and is tound more or less i.i every government." The troubles which divide our people re older than Tillman, yes as old as the State Itself. The issue which divides us in the state is ring rule; while the national Issue is financial. The origin of ring rule is coeval with the foundation of the charlcstown colony, and financial hardships were endured also in those early days. The I*ord's Proprietorsar-l ranged a pian of government by which they had the ad vantage. By gilts ol olliccaud 11 !> J era I grants of laud these proprietors forged ai I ring hi Charlestowii (Charleston) which j fought the battles of the proprietors against | j the tanners and the people. So caiclul were they ol the ring that the people were all reijuired to vote in Charleston. Some were! I ....... i.i. II. ..I I., I.-.I-..I Ill'Kv n>lli.ii hi' till till I vote. Suppose, my iriends, \vu had to go lilty miles now to vote and when wegot there were net by a thousand nod one nulls working like heavers willi whiskey and diluted argu-' mi-Ills lo get us lo vole lor Sliep|>nrd, what i I kind of rule would you call that? I'he pco-l pie wanted to vole al home, hullheriugj lorees were massed at I'hart est on. They' knew dial in union lliere is strength. [ liivea mmt his freedom on lliesc green' hills and lie would skip from lilll l<> hill and j Irom house-lop to house-lop, and elude lliei wiles o| the most cunning old tiger, hut what | chance would a poor goat have ill a den ol | liuiis? The condition of the country W?s favorable to I he lormallen of a ring. Theeoiintry was thinly settled and had lew educational ad-' vantages. t'harleslon was the center ol wealth, education and iullueiiee. So strong was the intlueliee ol the ring tlial the people] were utterly unahle lo electa governor who] did not live in Charleston. Itut education breaks tings. The shifting ol educational centers in this Slate has marked the cliiingi s | ol ring liilluenee. | In I Mil the South Carolina College was ' founded. The educational center was moved : ' from Charleston to Columbia, lu Hfltt, I liens: fore, we lind cleeted a governor who lived j outside of Charleston. Columbia was tlieiij Within the finy. i So that during ft period of 220 years?1G70 to I81KI?Charleston, with a branch oillce at Co- i lunibiii, dominated Mi? politics of this.State, j The hlsior.v of this state and, I believe, the' history of the world well, proves that the : education of a few and the neglect of tliei masses Is subversive of liberty In any coun-j try. it is a painful truth, but it Is true that education itself does not create that spirit in man which prompts liim to love his neighbor as himself. Education before the Intel war was nearly confined to the rich. A1 -> though South Carolina had a repn tut ion lor scholarship, yet the people were not educat-| ed. It remained for the people who live on the* hills of upper Carolina to inaugurate a new | era. High schools and academies sprang up all over the up country, and these besot colleges scattered all over the Piedmont section. Woflord. Kurinan, Ersklne and others?wmcn have given us an educated class of men tit lor the hardships of lift*. The appetite of the people for education was sharpened. An educated few can not control the educated many. With tlie founding of the third great educational center in .South Carolinaeanie the fall of ring rule, and Clemson commemorates tin* victory gained by a struggle of two hundred years. While the walls of Cleinson stand Charleston will never again dominate the politics of this state. The opposition cannot understand why the campaign speeches do not. turn the people from Tillman. The reason Is very plain to an observant person. It. is because they have not yet, succeeded In turning Tillman from the people. The farmers have Tillman under their tutorship, and his education is now so far advanced that lie is able to say: "If the Alliance does not go with me I will go with the Alliance." He is going with the farmers, and the assertion that they are following blindly originates from either ignorance or falsehood. The opposition Is waking up to the situation, and each anti is selecting a Tlllmaniteto teach. Hut their mistakes in tlie past indicate that they are not yet far enough advanced in the knowledge of political science to be able to run a political normal school. They cannot yet teach the teachers. Hut with lite tanners' ray of hope come the threatening clouds of financial ruin. 'Ihe ruinous decline in price of our farm products makes living hard and increases two fold the burden of debt. When we complain we arc ridiculed; We ask for bread we are given a stone. Men as ignorant of practical farming as a monkey is of heaven assume the role of teachers, sit in the town shade and call the farmers lazy. Their advice fails in showers: You are too lazy, you aic bad managers, you don't work but six months In the year, you make too much, there's over proauciioii, you are um ex Ira vacant, diversify your crops. If n little of tlie town laziness whs diversified by a. year's work In our fields there would not he such an over-produetlon of scientific farmers who farm in the shade. "There is no new thine under the sun." Hut II Solomon had lived to the present time the Bight of miles of agricultural advice coming from the mouth of one little town man Would have been novel to him. The trouble, however, is not n new one. Our forefathers experienced it and found a remedy. That remedy was bills ol credit which is the subtreasurv plan. Some of our town friends who have never read a history of our Slate, because furious when more money Is mentioned, and assume to themselves a blissful mental superiority over the average farmer; and It Is a pity to mention the facts to them for when "ignotance is bliss 'tis folly to be wise." Our forefathers came to this country without money. For a few years they did not need much. Their trading with the Indians, which was nearly all the trailing they did for n lew yours, was clone by cxcliunue of kooiIs. Hut when they began to succcssfully till the soli and to build up a commerce money was needed. There was very little of the precious metals In the colony, a quantity at any rate entirely Insufficient for the needs of the people. Then the fight began. Scarcity of money caused a uradual decline in prices, and the money lenders reaped a continual harvest, but the formers were uolng rapidly to poverty. Finally desperation drove them to overcome all opposition and the government, issued bills of credit and loaned them to the fanners on morlgnge of land. Then the farmer had his day. Prices went up continually and the farmers were gaining back from the money lenders what they had previously lost. Hut a taste of pi<>spur11)' serveu 10 sniupen lot: uppeuie. .More bills of credit was Issued. Prices continued to go up. The merchants and money lenders made desperate eirorls to have the money eailed in. hut all in vain. At the instigation of the London merchants the Lord's Proprietors undertook to force the people to eive up the money, but so strong was their determination to keep It that, they delied the Proprietors, deposed their Governor and Chief Justice, and appealed to the King, who decided for the people and the money, and put an end to the proprietary government. so the tlrst revolution In this .State was fought, and won on the sub treasury Issue. The (irst relief which farmers obtained from the ruinous ellects of low prices was through this money. Hut there can be too much of a good thing. There was at one time in circulation of hills of credit about S150 per capita, besides other money in circulation. There was consequent depreciation and loss to some perhotis, but Thomas Jefferson favored the money and declared that although it had ruined individuals It had saved the republic. The merchants were finally brought to their senses and adopted a conservative and friendly course; the farmers also became conservative, and the last issue of this currency did not deprcciate and made a net revenue to the State of more than $-'100,000. There is a lesson in this to be learned by both merchants and farmers. Conservatism is a purifying stream in polities, but when obstructed by intolerant opposition its accumulated waters break over all restraints and sweep the country with a tlood of radicalism. "But." sotne say, "capital can control labor." Yes, I suppose that's what they said In the good old days of our forefathers, but the people overturned the government, money changers, merchants and all. Capital can not control exasperated and organized labor. me uemoneuzine 01 suver tins, h? won us the contraction of the currency, had the effect of reduelntr prices, and lis restoration would also produce a corresponding Increase, but there is not now time to discuss that. ? - - ? ? Speech of .11 r. Mc(?ouiui. Mr. McUowau had no written speech and the following Is but a synopsis of what he snld: lie said that aspirants for public ofllee should express themselves oil all the issues of the day. That lie was a candidate for the Legislature for the tl^st time. That he was the candidate of uo caucus or clique. That no man or set of men had brought lilni out, but that he had announced himself, and if tlie people of Abbeville county would honor him with their suffrage that he would be proud to serve his native county to the iiest of his ability. If elected he would represent the whole people?regardless of faction or party teeling. lie opposed the S'l poll tax. Said It was unfair and unjust to the poor mini. The theory of taxation is the fairest in the world, viz: tie that has much must pay much, and he that has little must pay little. The Si poll uix made the poor man pay as much us the rich. It makes the poor pay lor the education of the rich. If the schools aie kept open all the year, the poor man requires Hie help of his children in gathering his crop?the rich man can afford to send his children all the year. The negroes would evade the poll taxmany evade the SI tax?more would evade Hie *:? uix. Kvery white man in the county would have it to pay. Many negroes would go to Jail rather than pay It, and the tax-payer mii>t pay his board while in Jail, besides Hut irosL ol tax executions, Ac. Ho opposed the properly or educatloni'l qualification to suHrage. He said the reason given, viz: that It would better control the negro vole was but poor consolation to the poor man who had his vote taken away from iitin. The poor man who was so lortunalc as not to own property was to have this sacred right taken from him, and the only reason given was?while we d<> take your \ole away from you at the same time we take Itauay trom ten lies:roes. He opposed the abolition of the lien law. He said tiie law had sometimes been oppressive, but in the present condition ot our country we could notatlord to repeal It. It Is the only means by which many of our small farmers get advances and it would be two hard to cut them suddenly oil*. It would force many to hire lor wages. lie opposed a Conslltulional Convention, lie said he was opposed to It at all t imes and especially in the present excited condition of the country, lie said there was a safe wny to change tin* Constitution 11 U was wroi'jj, viz, by amendment. There wore three sale grounds in changing by amendment. (I> The Legislature by a two-thirds vote had to submil the amendment-. (-) tTlie people then vole oil the amendment. If the people vote lor (he ainemlmeni. then it comes before the next l.culslature, who must ratify by a I wo-i hints vote. This Is the salest way. Our Constitution Is the liimtameiiial law of the land and II is unwise and Imprudent to link- J er with it. lies ides, the Constitution is a very unod one. We have livid under ii lor I wen-! ly-llve years ami it is not veiy dill'erent irom I our old" < "oiislil til ion. It' there should be a| t 'oust itutloiial i 'on vent ion and the policy ot! Ibis administration should control it, then I the homestead and the I wo mill lax ibrpub-j lie schools will, in all likelihood, be abolisti-1 i d. It is the part of prudence ami wisdom toi let good enough alone, and therefore lie did | uoi favor the calling ol a Constitutional Con veiilioii. He said it was not the policy of t his admin-1 istialioii to submit the work ol aCoiislltu-j lional Convention to Hie people, as lliu last! Senate i largely lor Ciov. Tillman) hail passed I a re.-olulIon calling for a Convention and J voted Uown a proviso that the work of tliel (.'onvciitior. he ratified by the people. lie did not lavor the county government, bill which was an administration measure in '' the last Legislature, lie said it discriminated lu lavor of tlie rich and agaiusl the poor, ami ( put too much power III the hands of one mini ! in authorizing the Governor to appoint one; supervisor in every township in the siaiel( ami threeConiriiissioncrsof the l'oor in eveiyj. county of the Slate. In Abbeville, instead of j, having the county governed by three com- j mlsslonern elected by tlie people, there will be j dug man elected and nineteeu appointed by j Ihe Governor. It provides a commutation for road duty of j SI.50 for the rich man, and it provides that t lie man who can't or don't pay the commutation must work for eight days in u chain gang alone with convicts. On prohibition Mr. McGowan Raid that n box was to be placed at every precinct in the State for the voters to express themselves on prohibition, and if a majority voted for pro. hibltlon that he would vote for such a bill if it was bis good luck to tco to the Legislature. He sriid he wanted no man to vote for him who could not drt so conscientiously. That as a candidate for the Legislature he was neither anti-Tlllnian or Tillman, but was a candidate as a citizen of Abbeville county, and If elected that he would represent the whole county as best lie could. That as to State politics he hum an Mini-1 mnunn m.iu, uiiiuiu uuu iniuit that.should Influence voters In maklDg their choice, bul. that they should vote (or tneu ou their merits. He said It was the very essence of our government that the Executive, Legislative and Judicial should be kept separate and distinct, and that It would be a fatal blow it a Legislature should be elected subservient to any one man. - -- ? Speech of Hon. J. T. Robertson. Mr. President, Ladies and Hentlemen : It is with pleasure that I appear before you to-day to lullllt an appointment made by the Democratic Executive Committee of Abbeville county. The new Democratic Constitution wiselv provides for this meeting, so that the people may meet face to face with those who od'er themselves ns-candldates for places In IheGeneral Assembly of .South Carolina as w'ell as county officers. Tills is a wise provision. I belong to that party of Democrats who believe that tlie people should rule, and not the ring or close corporation as heretofore prevailed In South Carolina. It is for you and every single voter of Abbeville county to form ills own opinion, and make his choice as to who you thiuk will best represent you and your Interest Now, my fellow citizens, with this principle ever before you, you can not materially err. You have betore you to-day two factions of the Democratic party contending for supremacy, ami It is for you to choose this day which you will follow. The Conservative faction, as they call themselves, is represented by Mr. W. C. McGowan, who has just addressed you. He lays down his platform which consists of four planks. He proposes to go before the people of Abbeville eountv.and UDon this Dlatform he hones to win. It is this: the lien law should not be repealed; the proposed bill for a county government should not prevail; educational or property qualification for suffrage, and the S3 poll tax. Now. my friends, I will try to prove, and I think I can convince you, that there is not a living issue In a single plank of his platform. First, the Men law. The only and best reply that 1 can make to this plank Is the action ot ttie late House of Representatives on the bill to repeal the lien law. One zealous member, who thought the law should be changed or repealed, brought lorth a bill and after advocating It In a long speech It was submitted to a vote, and as well as I remember there was but one who was favorable to the bill, and this was the action of a Tillmanlto Legislature. Does thut look like we wanted It repealed? The next plank has the proposed bill In the late House of Representatives to change tht county government. Now, to explain more fully the necessity or the expressed wish of the people lor some change in our comity government, we must refer to your action at the ballot box two years ago when you, or two-thirds of the legal voters of Abbeville couuty decided to eliminate or lake from the Constitution of South Carolina the olllce of County Commissioners. Why did the people do this? Is It not apparent that they wanted some change lu the County government? With this before the Legislature that body brought forth a bill which was amended and discussed u great deal. It had many good features anu In the main was a good bill. Hud it passed and when put to a test its Imperlectlons could have hereafter been repealed or changed. Rut tills Is a dead Issue. It is simply an old til 11 of the last Legislature which failed to pass, and I contend It Is not proper 10 uiscuss u. n me people meant tne question of a change in the county government discussed, I think that would be proper, but not the old bill which is now dead. The next plank of Mr. McGowan's platform is qualified suffrage. ><ow, Mr. McGowan knows very well that the qualification of voters is a constitutional provision, and that whatever may be the opinion 01 any one it will require a change in the Constitution, and tills change must be submitted to you for your approval by two thirds of the voters of Mouth Carolina, it Is you. my fellow citizens, the people, who make Constiiutlons,?not Governors, nor Legislatures. It Is you who have the power to say what your Constitution shall be, and now while 011 lhat subject I will say that If you reelect me to a seal in the House of Representatives that 1 will vote lor a resolution to submit to you the question of whether or not you want to call a Constitutional Convention, but there is one thing that you may depend upon?uever will 1 consent to disfranchise any white citizen of South Carolina, uevei will 1 agree to lake the vole from him. Mr. McGowan's fourth and last plank is the much discussed S3 poll tax. TheConsttlullon of South Carolina tlxes the polls to be levied annually at $1, no more, nor no less, upon all male citizens between the ages of '21 and SO, who are able to earn a support. Tills lax is applied exclusively to school purposes. Uov. ivfluino in ins wisdom looking alter ail of the educational advantages o! .South Carolina suggested in Ills Inaugural address tnat some changes ought to lie made In our common system, suggested that the poll be raised to ${, solely lor tlio benefit of the schools, and especially for those schools located in the extreme country, where, In my opinion, the educational advantages is little more than a sham, a farce. I ask you, my friends, are you satisfied with the schools of your country? Do you believe that your chlldreu can be educated under the present system without some plan that will enable you to employ more efficient teachers and keep your schools open longer? I will answer for you, No. And In my opinion in ten or fifteen years you will find thH illiteracy In the country appalling. 1 say the country, for centres such as towns, villages and clues, take care of themselves. In such places they often assess themselves and have good schools. This increase of the poll to $i Gov. Tillmau thought was the most equitable way to Improve the country schools. The fund raised under the constitutional levy of two mills is about all that property will bear. The public lund now raised Is equally divided between the races. The colored race contributing a very small proportion, under this poll levy it would bear equally upon both races. Now, my fellow citizens, something must be done to relieve the schools. I am ready to receive any suggestion from the opposition. Let them give us something better. If nothing Is offered It shows that they ure not looking at the true interest of the poor people of our country. Now, my friends, you have the three dollar poll tax oeiore you. uonsiuer 11 careiuuy, and 1 believe that you will come to the couelusion that in ilie absence of anything belter, thai it would bo a good. law. The people need have no fears about It, it will require a change in ihc Constitution which will lake about two yea is to carry Into effect, if even made, and yon will have an opportunity 01 expressing your wish at the baliut box twice upon the subject. My Jriends I have consumed w much of my lime in replying to Mr. McGotvan, that I must make the remainder ol my remarks short. I appear before you not only as a candidate lor re-election to a seat In the llouse ol Representatives, but also to account to you lor my stewardship as one of your Ueprcsentatives In the last Legislature. 1 am ready to answer to auy cliaige or explain any vote made by me, as your Representative. 1 w. s not leu by John C. Haskell of the opposiiion as some hav? charged. I did myuutyboluly and fearlessly, ever keeping in mind the inte'est ol my constituents, and it is tor you to say by your ballots whether or not you waul me to again represent you in the Legislature. in conclusion,allow me to thank you for l lie very complimentary vole cast lor meat tins box two years ago, and I am sure that there is no one who would more highly esteem the compliment of a renewed expression of confidence coming from the people of Lowtidesvllle. Kpcccli of Mr. I>. II. Miitflll. The next speaker introduced was Mr. I). 11, M. trill, of I lodges, a candidate for the House of Kcpcsentative.i, who spoke as follows : Kellaw-i'iti/.ens Ladies and Gentlemen: **'' <>> .! I.ifr <1 I ml I I I/I<| I J Ills Is 111> i1tsi emu i <11. iiiimuiknimm.mvu.j speech, 11 nil ! .mist therefore bet; you to "view ine not with !i < rille's eye, hul pass my imperfections liy." I whs announced as a candidate for the House ol' Representatives at the last election. Hit I was stricken with lever lielore the opening of the campaign, anil thus himlereil Ironi seeing the people of Abbeville county ami rpeaking to itiem In my behalf. 1 Notwithstanding this, I received a very hand-1 some vote, and I am truly gratelul to you for! your kind consideration. I appear iielore you again as a candidate fori Hie llouse ?> ' Representatives,mid sincerely trust that you will favor m? with a sutllcient vote to scat me as a member ot that honorable body. Now. I declare to you, lellow-clti-' /ens, that it :s not the loaves and llslies 1 am seeking. because the same are two small and insignificant, to justify the labor and time their attainment would require. Neither is it the honor attaching to tiic position liiat I seek: but I desire to become your representative hi llie Legislature of our Slate in order that I may put forth my feebleetlbrts to bring about Hie enactment of such laws as will in? sure the amelioration of the present condition of lite predominant element of the citizenship of the State of Soutli Carolina, more pariicuiar'v "I Abbeville comity. While tlicie arc iany things that might have been ilotiu liy our Legislators In tlie past, looking to such end. they have been left undone Now it is not in me to boast that I will an[ oinphsh everything that lias been left unaccomplished. tor no individual member of voiir l.egislai'ire, though lie may be a power, lor good or ev 11, can ^uarautec and ellect tlic passage of every measure he may favor, bat if I you elect rue It will he my greatest pride to J labor unceasingly,?untiringly In the inter ests of tlie wlmlu people of Abbeville county, ( with an eye specially single t<> the wel are ol I those classes of our people who are in the greatest need of the attention ot the iaw-mak- I crs of our day,?those classes that have been neglected save to be legislated against, fur a i hall century, I allude to the poor and downtrodden people who feed and clothe the world i ?t he tanner and'lhe laboring man. it jon elect ine 1 do not mean to favor the ' enactment ot laws that are unjust auil work advantages to one Class and detriment to another. No fair minded man can ask this. I i do not believe that the banks, railroads, or any corporation should be made to pay a tax rate greater than thetarmeror the mechanic < pays. That would be contrary to the prluct- I pies of Justice and right, and subversive ol the principles upon which our government is founded. But that unjust iegisiatiou has been going on in the laud for half a century, no lalr-minded, honest man can deny. It has, however, been In favor ot the banks, corporations and the money power, to the everlasting detriment of the agricultural and laboring man. Such being true. It becomes you, fellow clilzcjiis, to see to it that none be elected as your law-makers, who are not In favor, sincerely in lavor of abolishing all such Inlq- ! uitous legislation, and who will give eve-y man, rich or poor, educated or Illiterate, the same showing so tar as the laws of .South Carolina are concerned. If any man dispute that there are laws on the statute books of ttie country id derogation of the rights of the people and granting special privileges to banks, corporations and oilier like powers, I would ask that man to explain why the governs.lent has laid the strong arm of Its taxing power on State banks, and If lie be honest, he will admit that .State banks have beeu taxed out of existence, nay, they have been destroyed tor the beueflt or National banks. I disclaim any idea ol making war on National banks, or discussing the question or the re-establlshment or State banks, but I do say with emphasis that If National banks are to be with us tu the future they should stand upon their own merits. They are old euougli to stand alone, for they have been the pampered pet of the government for thirty years. I fovor the abolition or every special privilege enjoyed by them or any other Institution of a simitar nature, and i will support no man who does not agree with me In this, or measures that looks in any other direction. I agree with Senator M. C. Butler when he says: "That In the regions of the South and West, where great stringency exists there Is plenty of capital, but little monsy." When, then, I ask, Is there a scarcity of money unless it is due to legislation ? Why are you farmers of Abbeville county sbrort In money matters ? Why should such a state of affairs exist? The broad valleys of the Savannah and the fertile banks of the Saluda, smiling with snow white fields of the staple and waving in fragrance with golden grain, exhibit to the world an abundance of capital as well as a sound security not exceeded In any country under the shilling sun. The live stock that grazes upon your hills and in your meadows, together with persoual property of various kinds with personal credit,?all are capital, but unavailable as a basis of credit. Why? Because the statute books oi the government are ouraeuea wmi eu?w menls thai make this capital unavailable as a t>.i-sls of credit, and money Is so scarce and so dear tbat for many months oat of the twelve, they can not be utilized. In tbe financial centres of the country money is abundant, I admit, and readily obtained, but you can not procure it except at the most ruinous and exacting rates, because you have not such security as Is demanded, and as the laws now stand your progress and comfort and legitimate development is retarded. You liuve a right., fellow citizens of the agricultural class to cry with a loud voice lor a change, and to realize your most sanguine expectations. You are the most numerous of the productive classes. You ca^t votes enough every lour years to elect the President, a majority in Congress, the State Legislatures, una the | county officers, but you own but one-Iourth of tho nation's wealth, you furnish three-fourths of the nation's tax burdens, you produce nine-tenths of the wealth which flows into the coffers of the rich corporations and millionaires. You are poor and hard up, from being taxed to support an extravagant. National government, together with depreciated prices In your products as a result of exorbitant transportation charges and commissions to board of trade tniddie men. Still you have It in your power to control the whole government, from the office of President dowD to the officeof County Jury Commissioner. In the State of South Carolina you represent the bulk of true Democracy, as iu all the Southern States, then why not elect to your Legislature men whom you know to be your friends; men who will repeal every UUJUM JUW UJIXt UlliiLin JUU, uuu such statutes as would Becure you Justice, equity and protection. Vou are sufficiently well educated in political matters to obviate the necessity of my telling you that you should send no man into thecouncils of your government, who, though ne professes to be your friend, is found in the company of those you know to be your enemies. "Beware*of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns or flgs of thistles?" So far as I urn concerned, my farmer friends. | I have been with you ever since the dawn or the tirsl day you dared to begin clamoring for your rights. I atn no recent convert to the belief that the farmers are an oppressed people. And ofttlmes In hurling down anathemas, In tny feeble way, upon the heads of those who seek your oppression I have Incurred llie displeasure and olten -the ill will of Irlendsol former days, but I am with yQU still. So If you shall elect men to represent you in the Legislature, I will be found battling for your rights, from the moment I enter the portals until I retire, as your servant, from theState House, let come what will. I.et me again assure those of my fellow citizens who do not belong to that numerous class to whom I have more particularly spoken, that they will suffer nothing at my hands. I am sure they can expect nothing short of justice between man and man, and this being true, they will agree with me that the agricultural class is sadly in need ot what has been denied them so long,?protective legislation. When the lawyer, and the preacher and the merchant, and the banker, and the corporation. and the millionaire shall concede and ?ll ?h..il l),olF Inol Hoinonilc agree mut nu ou?n im.c ,>?: . j?o. of the government, then will this lair land blossom with love, contentment nnd peace. Then will the barriers between the classes be annihilated. The rosy cheeked daughters of the farm house will join hands In loving companionship with thequeensof the palaces of wealth, and sit down together, without, their accustomed glances of envy and hatred, in the j holy temple of their common maker, and [' praise him from whom all blessings flow." j Mr. Muglll In answer to the question asked, stated that he was opposed to the property qualification vote, and would favor prohibition if tite people were in favor of It, and that lie was a Tlllmanite. He also thought the salaries of State ofllcers were low enough. Speech of lion. F, B, Clary, Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen : it is indeed a pleasure, Mr. Chairman, to meet the good people of this community, to timlce new nccqunintnut'ces, and renew friendships already lormed. Two years ago, fellow citizens, some of us appeared before you to express our views upon the political issues which wore tlien before the people. Those [ issues were Hearty dellned and we were elected upon a platform demanding "rigid economy In public expenditures; the abolition of useless offices; that public ollleers be paid in proporilou to their labor and responsible liy and demanding equal rights to all and special privilnes to none." Some of us were elected upon the Isaue whether or not we endorsed thispiallorni and its exponent. 1$. U. Tillman. We are here to-day to civc an account of our stewardship and toshow whht has been done to redeem the pledges made to you. Tills platform was the result of a determination on the purt. of the p'-ople to take a more active interest in the a It airs of the government and to remedy wrongs which they felt to exist. At tliat time I had an abiding failli in the Justice of the movement and so expressed myself, ita was time, fellow citizens, when but few professional men In this county dared express themselves as In sympathy ...lih rnnr i.(furls II whs 11 time, fellow CI t I/ens, when social ostracism, like tiu> .sword ] Damocles, threatened the head of lilm who | dared to espouse the cause of the people. I J was with you then from principle; and I hardly think that I will be suspected of being with you from any other motive to-day. | Certain promises were made you on the, slump, and now it is your privilege to in<|iiire < of us whether or not we have kept the laith. In answer to such an Inquiry I would say that some ol your demands haw not become ; laws; but in lixl ng t he responsibility for their | failure,you must consider what each Individ-j ual member has done to have them enactuU 1 into laws. I] The Law in its wisdom has made provision , for preserving the vote of every member of ] the Legislature and whatever he does is re- 'j corded. A careful study of this record will i disclose ttie fact that, i > every instance, with- i out exception, the Abbeville delegation has; been I rue to t tic prom 1st s made and could ul-11 ways be relied on to support measures look- j iug'to the good ol the whole people. In fix- . Ing the responsibility for the failure of some ? .1'" ......i.iiivs which von demanded You , in list. remember that thcie were obstruction- \ i>ls in tlio Legislature from wIkiiii these incus- i tiros ini't Willi opposition as firm ami tuieeas- ( iiii; as ever disgraced the liulis ol a South Carolina Legislature. \ Itut ill spite of litis uiipaiMllclled ami hit- r ter opposition many of our pledges have heen c redeemd. For insianee, you were promised oil the stump that if the Keiorm movement l was successful, such a law would he made as j would create a l'hosphate cumin Union with j power to lake charge of theCoosaw Territory s and contest the rlgM of the Coosaw Cmpiiny |( to forever exclude all other companies from mining in this phosphate region. This law was passed afler a hlttier tiirlit. The contest was made in the eourtsi. The judgment of o ' ' '&~^'rX lip people lias been vindicated in the highest tidicinl tribunal in the land and to-day Coo aw territory Is in the hands of tills Phosphate om mission and Is being operated in the inlerest of the people and not operated by a 'giant moropoly." So ranch for that promise. Again, you were promised that a law ivmild be enacted reorganizing the South Carolina University upon a"?mmon sense plan. At tlint time there wor>- about 1*0 students in Attendance with 27 professors to teach tliem, less than seven students to each Professor. This Institution has been reorganized, the number of Professors reduced to seven, and to-day this institution is regarded by friends tnd foes alike as "the pride or the State." So. much for this promise. But again, you were told that the Interests df the white woman of our Stale had been long and sadly overlooked, that It was a crying shame upon our enlightened civilization thai noth'ng had ever been done by the Stale t>f South Carolina for the education of the white girls. That (If the*Reform movement Rucceded some provision would be made for them. This lias been done. The F. I. 8.. has been established, and the city of Anderson has given a sufficient sum to erect the buildings to secure Its location at that piuce. And to-day the trustees of the Peabdoy fund are anxious to donate to the Institution S50.000. So much for this promise. But again, you were promised that If the Reform movement succeeded the Agricultural Bureau would be abolished and the duties ot Commissioner of Agriculture would be impo?ed upon the faculty of Clemson College without cost to the tax-payers. That has been done. But again you were told that If the Reform movement was successful a re apportionment * of representation would be had, and those counties which then had more representatives than they were entitled to, would be given the proper number. That reapportionment has been had. and Charleston which heretofore by reason of her large representation in the Legislature wielded such a powerful influence, has lost five representatives In the deal. Her number has been reduced from twelve to seven. I Again, fellow citizens, your laxps have been lowered, and an Inspection of the books ot the County Auditor will show that every taxpayer in Abbeville county now pays on the' same amount of property considerably less taxes. These, fellow citizens, are *ome,of the reforms which have been accomplished by a raw Legislature in the short time it has been on trial; and that too In the face of difficulties that would have appalled a less determined body. But you are asked to cast o^t as nnworthy public servants the men wno have accomplished thus much, because forsooth Gov. Tillman lti his desire to give to you who live In the country better school facilities has sugg&ted a poll tax as the means. Hear the words of Gov. Tillman and Judge for yourself If he has not been egregrlously slandered when they tell yon he is the enemy of the poor man. Here are his utterances: "The education and DroDer training of the voters who roust choose tlie public officers to carry on the State's affairs Is a sacred fluty, which can not be nexlccted without Injury to the State and society. * Are we doing all wecan to train our youths and fit them for the duties of 111c? I answer unhesitatingly, No! 'In our towns and villages by reason of supplementary taxes or voluntary contributions, the schools are fairly good. Among the farmers in the country the good school Is the exception, while Inferior schools, which run three or four months, are the rule. * * I suggest the following scheme to Improve the free school system us a basis of permanent and lasting schools, &c. * * * The poll tax should be three dollars Instead of one dollar as now, and this will require a constitutional amendment." These are the words, fellow citizens, of him who is represented to you us the poor man's talHe friend and wliom you are asked to repudiate. But, fellow citizens, they never tell yon that yon are the only power that can make the poll tax 88. They never tell you that if you do not agree witu tne Governor's scheme to Improve the schools, that you have an opportuulty of voting dowu a constitutional amendment If one should be submitted to . you. (Mr. Gary here read from the Constitution what was necessary to be done before the Constitution could be changed." Again, you are told that Goy. Tillman favors a Constitutional Convention. Very true. Tii%t Mil fKlun/lu tmn huua n 1 a/\ (ho rli/hf tn AY. press your approval or disapproval of a Constitutional Convention wben such a question Is presented to you, which ranst bo done. Besides, fellow citizens,if you shonld desire a Constitutional Convention the Convention will be composed of tuen selected by you, and from your midst. I They tell you that you must continue to live under, a Constitution forced apon you by the alien and the scalawag, because forsooth it Is dangerous to allow the people to come together In their sovereign capacity. It is aa insult to your intelligence and should be so rebuked. They tell yon if a Convention Is held Ben Tillman, by reason of his great Influence with } the people, can have any tning Ingrafted into the Constitution bo desires. But why has he so much influence with the people? It Is be- ' cause tne people have learned by experlenco that they can safely rely oil his Judgment, integrity and leadership. But they tell us tliut he must be defeated because he wants a servile Legislature. I deny that he wants such a Legislating. He desires a Legislature composed of men in genuine ' sympathy with the administration?men of sound Judgment and Independent thought. Hear his own words to the Legislature and Judge for yourselves whether or not he desires a Legislature to do his bidding. Here are his , words : "I have given you the best light I have bat I am not infallible, and have no pride of opinion. There is a fearful responsibility resting on me by reason of the reliance upon my leadership. But you cannot avoid the responsibility resting on your shoulders, and you will do wrong to cast a single vote against your Judgment, no matter whence comes the recommendation." Does this looK like he wan/s a Legislature? But they tell us again that Gov. Tillman should be defeated because lie has Injured the credit of the State, But what bus done more . to Injure the credit of the State (if Indeed it has been Injured) than the articles appearing In the opposition papers, and which have been so freely circulated abroad by his ac-. cusers? What has Gov. Tillman done to bring reproach upon the State? Hasn't every valid obligation of (he State been promptly met? Have not the interests of the State been carefully guarded ? But then Gov. Tillman needs no defence al my hands, and I have said this much, simply to show upon what shallow sophistries these displaced statesmen are depending to be reinvested with "power." Now. Mr. Chairman, I have about consumed the time allotted to inc. Hut In conclusion let me pledge you t hat if I ain again honored with a seat in the Legislature I shall keep constantly in mind that ''public office is a public i trust," and It will he my endeavor to enact such laws as will insure "eijual rights to all, and special privileges to none." Speech of IIon. J. Hint;. Mr. J. X. King wits next introduced and he spoke in substance as follows: Mr. Chairman and Fellow-, itizens. I appear before you to-day as a candidate ^ for a seat in the House of Representatives. / I have had the honor of representing you and I um on record as lo the issues of the / , time. The reform movement has swept this country from the mountains totiiesea, and it has gathered strength as it move onward. Review the results of this reform movement, and you will tind that your interests have been protected In every department of the government. There arc some matters before us to-day for discussion that I wish to discuss briefly and the first In tha Constitutional Convention of which you have heard so much of to-day. I am opposed to a Consilltu onal Convention, xnd fought It when I was in the Legislature. It would ba a dangerous thing to tamper with our Constitution, when it can be easily amended by the people themselves. The cost of ?ConstitHtioual Convention will bean extra burden on the people, a burden that they iiri? mil now able t?i hear. Let US Content OUT selves with trying to better the (.'oustltutlou we have, and run no risk In experimenting. As to the three dollar poll tax I am opposed to It. ns I believe li would tic unjust and unfair to the laboring man. 1 am in favor of taxing railroads and corporations in proportion toother j>piperty,and am opposed to the repeal of the lienjaw. The lien law Is the poor man's friend,and the only thing he can rely on in time of need. 1 am in favor of prohibition, and am opposed to a qualification vote, as It will disfranL-hie many a poor man. My friends, I thank you for yon kind attention, and if you elect nie to u seal In the House of Representatives 1 will serve to the best ol my knowledge, and will advocate measures ttiai will lie of benefit to the farmers. .Speech of Kev. W. A. (>niiir?. The Itev. \V. A. (lalneswas next introduced mil spoke us follows: [ 'elliiw-t'iti/.ens. lam suit into this campaign by ('a)honn Democratic club ol which 1 am a member, fheir action was a surprise to me. 1 never lad made a speeeh on politics there, or any .vhere else. I lu?<l no imlilieal aspiration. Thirty-four year* ago I gave up a tine business and bright business prospects to become i minister <>( the gospel, anil Itnve never resetted my choice. They complain that tho ?! v?iiii:iIi siiie or our county has hail only >11 ? representative in the House since the ear, the iaie Col. Harper, ami mat it would >< 1(1 Hie interest ol the whole country for his half to have a suitable member. liesides, (hey insist that I am In sympathy villi efforts to secure the most cllleient and eonomiegovernment, and that I have tho ouruKc ol my convictions. As to declaration of principles, I must leurtlly approve the nomination ol Cleveaud for President. The Kreat vampire that ssappins: our agricultural interests in excesive tariff. But silver ought to be ou equal I'gai parity with gold. I heartily endorse Gov. Tillman. He was lecied out of the largest class ol our citizens -the farmers and represents on. largest Inustry aud fostera' ull true iutcre^U witU