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IHE LEDGER. THurlo'w S. Carter. EDITOR AND MANAGER. SATURDAY MAUCII 31, 1000. Tillman is far from complimentary to the county weeklies with their "patent outsides," / their "stories and trash'' and I / their "deterioration," hut we do| not think that he does them jus tice. While for the last ten years ho has been holding fat offices and has not felt want they have been taking potluck with the people, and the people have not been enriched by his elevation. There are some pretty shabby sheets among them, but cur observation ' is that there are at the present! - 1 I I I- I i nine hum u reauaoie wcpk- 1 lien in the State than ever before. | That they do not print campaign speeches in detail is nothing against them. Consider the aver-! ago character of the speeches! If the people do not take interest enough in them to attend the meetings and hear them why should the papers assume that they want to read them?- The State. ^ ^ i TO CiO IN A BODY. I How Gen. Walker Wants the Veterans to Enter Louis vi'lo. The State. (ion C Irvine Walker of Charlestoii, the commander of the South Carolina division of tho United Confedrate Veterans, which is one of the strongest divisions of the organization, spent yesterday in the city, and talked interestingly about the trip of the South Carolina veterans in Louisville this year. The time is getting short and Gen Walker will soon have the wheels in motion. He desires South Carolina to l?e largely represented at thi* reunion, and it is his desire to have veterans who fmm fin'c r-" - l,,,? State go together, concentrating for the start at Spartanhnrg and proceeding tlience by the mountain route to Louisville. (ien Walker also expects to effect arrangements in Louisville for the quartering of the entire South Carolina party at one hotel at satisfactory rates. , He proposes to take the matter in hand in ample time to . ... I 1y urn mesc ideas, if they meet with the approbation of the several camps Killed Two at a Shot. (ireensboro, N C, March 2fi. ? Three men who were serving out their sentences on tho county roads about nine miles from here, made a break for liberty yesterday afternoon The guard fired and two of the convicts being ^n line tho bullet passed entirely through ono of them, killing him instantly, and wounding the other mortally. The third, a white man named Eppes, escaped. The Grand Lodge of the Knights of Honor of South Caro.. Una meets in twenty fourth annual session at Columbia on \Ved? nesday, April 18th. A FKIGIITFUI, BLUNl>K It Will often cause a horrible Horn, Scald, Cut or Bruise. Bucklen's Arnica Salve, the best in the 1 world, will kill the pain and < promptly heal it. Cures Old i Sores, Fever Sore, Ulcers, Felons, t Corns, all Skin Kruptions. Best rile cure on earth. Only 25 ct? a box. Cure guaranteed. Sold * by Crawford liros' Druggist*. I r?r Pay your Hubacripitonto i Lkd?ke! r WILL THE CAMPAIGN BY COUNTIES STOP ? Tillman Writes a Letter Suggesting a Change. FATHER OF THE MERRY-GOROUNI). His Reply to Some Inquiries Rein<; Made of Him. News papers Get their Annual Sih o rn The Siate. Senator Tillman is after doing away with the regu'ar tour of the South Carolina Political Circus company over each county of the State. The State campaign business has not been very popular of lateton account of its cost and other things, and very recently there has been some talk of confining the general meetings to one in every district, letting the candidates go to speak anywhere else they see tit on their own responsibility. Hut no one expected the originator of the stumping of the State scheme, Senator Tillman, to advocate a change. That he has done so in a measure may he seen from the following correspondence LP. 1 - * jiwmic ncre yesterday: Orangeburg, March 17, 1900. Hon. B K Tillman, Washington, D C. My Dear Sir and Friend: Ao cording to the constitution of the Democratic party of South Caro hna, the State Democratic con vention will convene in Columbia on Wednesday, May 16th, 1900, to elect delegates to the national convention, a memtnr of the national Democratic executive committee and to make such changes or amendments to the con stitution of the Democratic party in this State as may seem desirable for the proper conduct of the coming campaign. The object of this communica* tion in to ask your opinion aw to tho propriety and desirability of amending article II of the con Htitution of this State, which reads as follows: Article II. Before the election in 189(1, and each election thereafter, the Stale Democratic executive committee shall issue a call to all candidates for State offices to address the people of the different counties of this Stato, fixing the dates of the meeting, and also inviting the candidates for congress, United States senate and for solicitors, in their respective unnciH and circuits, To he present unci address the people. At such meetings only the candidates above set forth shall be allowed to j speak. The above article is mandatory. It requites the State Democratic j executive committee to formuiato i the schedule for the whole State campaign without giving thecoun~ ties any voice in the arrangement 01 trie nme and place of meeting 1 for their respective counties. Quite a number of people, and with apparent good reason, think that this article of the party con* stitution should he either entirely abrogated, or at least so amended as to give the individual counties a voice in making the schedule of the meetings. The most potent reasons adduced in behalf of such change or amendment in the constitution of our party are these: First. The county executive committee, of the several counties, knowing the deaire and need of the people in their respective I .1 * uuiJui/iG* iirurr lIIHD IS pOHttlDIG for the State execrtive committee to know, should have the privilege if fixing a time ?nd a place for the State campaign meeting of :heir respective counties. Second. Many of the meetings n the last two campaigns were nerely farces. They were forced upon communities Rt inopportune times and at places where no meetings were desired. This should he avoided in the future. Third. It is impossible to run a campaign of education on the old plan. When all candidates are required to attend the meetimr at ft certain time and place, the great number present to address the voters precludes the idea of in telligent discussion of grave pub lie questions in the brief space of five, ten or fifteen minutes allowed each speaker. Fourth. The newspaper reports of tho various meetings arc virtu' ally the same, day after day, and 'are usually but a mere stereotyped [skeleton of a skeleton aigument, and in no case sufficiently elabor ' ate to express clearly the views of the speaker or to enlighten the hearer. Therefore, if the meetings are to be educational, the will and the convenience of the people must be consulted in appointing tho campaign meetings, bo that larger audiences will be attracted and longer time be given to speakers. Fifth. The pr? posed change in the constitution would give each candidate the greatest possible latitude and liberty in conducting his own campaign and would give the respective counties *_ 1_._ i i* ? * mo iiiiUL in iwguiaie ami uireel their own political appointmenta ami to invite whomsoever they desired to no present whenever and wherever the people wished to hear them. Sixth. Under the old plan, a meeting is scheduled for each county, whether desired or not, and each candidate must follow the procession throughout the State regardless of expense or convenience/ The great expense of making the canvass of the State will eventually shut out a poor man from runing for a State otlico, however worthy und competent he may lie. This is one of the strongest arguments tor a change. Seventh. It is very desirable that these matters should ho brought to the attention of tho people for full and free discussion before the May convention. The foregoing are the principal reasons, crudely stated, nhy a change in the constitution appears to man; as very desirable. They do not touch upon the numerous minor points that might be adduced. I shall ,ho very glad to hear from you relptivo to these points and to any other that may suggest themselves to you as pertinen to the question either for or acrainst the nronosed amendmnnt C7 1 I to the constitution. What 1 desire mo*- and what I believe the public desires is that from a free and full <lij*<Mi?i-.if>n r>t the matter a plan may be evolved which will work for the best interests of the State and for the comfort, convenience an 1 independence of both the candidates in the coming campaign and the people who wish to know them. Very sincerely your friend, .lames T Parks. In reply to this Senator Tillman wrote as follows: Washington, March 22, 11)00. J T Parks, Esq, Orangeburg, SC. Dent* Sir: I have your lett*r of March 7th, and the importance of the matter therein must he apparent to every one. It is a perplexing question and has heen a subject of serious thought with me for a long time, because 1 have foreseen that the primary system was being jeopardized by the abuse* to which it ban been subjected. Political conditions in our State forced the joint discussions before the people of the issues, because the newspapers were so unfair and partisan; and any abrogation of the system now in vogue would in all probability result in the return to the old conditions, when it was in the power of two or three leading newspapers to nmko and unmake men, and to largely control our State politics. The necessity of freedom of speech and the pre Mentation by the candidates of their views, directly to the voters without having them tinged or distorted or suppressed by different newspapers will make the people unwilling to give up the present plan unless "something bettor" can be substituted for it. You have stated the defects in th* present system none too strongly, and there are others which occur t<> me which you hare not mentioned; f >r instance it was never conceived possible that a man would offer as a candidate for high position simply because of vanity or his being a crank, still less that one would enter such a race with no hopes of being elect ed. but simply with t1 e view of defeating another mun. There can be no limitation as to the number of persons who shall run for any office if they comply with the prerequisites. The joint discussion was intended to give the people an opportunity of hearing both sides, and of allowing the candidates to present their views directly to the voters. The great mistake that has netn made was the attempt to divide the time pro rata, or apportion it out among ull the candidates. Thus us you have said, there was no chani'M f<ir n non/liilnln I ? vniiMluaiC LU I1UIK(3 )1 speech or do himself any credit, and the people were disgusted to that extent thut they refused to turn out to the meetings. I canvassed the State three times and there was never any limitation on any speaker. The arrangement was, in the race for governor, to have the speakers alternate; ami in the race for the senate to in vert the order of speaking, so that the minor candidates could every other day hegin and have their say in full while the crowds were fresh, and not. he forced to taka the leaving* of the audience tired out hy previous speakers VV lintAi'KK 1 .. NIIU.MH 11 111 T Ol* HIHir, HIPPO should never have hern in the past and should ncvwr lift in the future any limitation on 'irae. It would he better to have some candidates miss speaking at every meeting than'follow such a plan of gapping them. The question now is either the continuance of the present system, with such limitations ..s I have indicated, or chunking it as you snppost and leaving the counties to determine what men they want to hour and extend invitations to such, it he inp of course always permissible for a candidate to announce independently the places at which he will speak, and to invite his opponent for the office to a ioint dis. J ~ cussion. Tho Stato committee cannot discriminate as among can di dates who comply with the role, hut the comity committee having control of the meeting* could refuse to invite those men who were not wanted, and if it should ever occur, which is hardly possible, that u candidate would he unjustly treated he could then make arrangements for a separ. ate meeting to which his opponent could he invited. It is no light thing to canvass the entire State and, attend mooting# in 40 conn* ties; and it entails a heavy expens? besides. Many of our people do not even take their county papers and since the patent out 1 sides have come in vogue, with a few creditable exceptions, the county newspH|)crs have deteriorated very sonsiUy from what they were 15 years ago. Competition has caused them to reduce their subscription and while the subscribers get as much as they pay for, it is nevertheless evident that the newspapers do not furnish as I g? od news as they used to. lu regard to tho State committee fixing the dates for the meetings in the campaign, it has been considered necessary in order to ! prevent a clash in counties, and I always to arrange the meetings in 1 ' rotation so that in a g'ven week ' ! certain contiguous territory might ( j tie covered. If tho papers of the , , Stute could lie induced to give i , fair, full and unbiased reports of ] , I speeches; and honest and truth- ' ful statements as to tho numbers I ( and happenings at the meetings, ( j mo objections which you have , urged against the present system 1 would leave hardly any reason for , its continuance, and by this 1 do i not mean the daily papers alone for they are read to a very lim; ited extent except in tho towns, . and the masses of tho voters read I only weeklies. It seems that ar runurements could he made to have -pecches given on tho patent outsides just as easily as to have stories and trash which now appear in them. After all I do not know that we need to he worried much atniut i the matter. Any man who can make such a speech as the people , want to hear and give them in , struction or amuse them will ali ways lie able to obtain an audience; II and if they do not want a man to i talk any longer they will let him | know it. Then by reversing the ! order of speuking and alternating days every man will have a fair I ci lit nee. it the crowds have coin? to hear any special man they will I makes it known and the others will 1 voluntarily hurry through and get out of the way. 1 Whatever is done wo should 1 cling to the freedom of discussion aud joint debate and the primary system as the very essence of Democracy. Rather than give ! these up it would he better to I conline the speeches to candidates for governor alone The other State house officers do not out line politics, but are largely adi ministrative officers, while the I governor not only influences legislation, but bv the use >?f the up: pointing power and veto controls public affairs if he should ! i ... be a man of any force anil ability. , Jt may be worth while to try the i plan of having no meetings under ! the auspices of the State commit , tee, but turn all the candidates loose and let them ariange their i own meetings, or attend such i as the county committees at* j range and the people who get up' picnics invite thcin to, hut until > the newspapers change their poli I cy ??f recent years, and also he more industrious in furnishing > the voter with readable and fair and reliable reports of what is hewing said and ?'one by th? candiI dates, the system of joint discus* . I sion in one form or another will > ho demanded by the people and no | candidate can safely neglect it. ( One of .Jefferson's maxims was > "teach the people and trust the * people" ana under the existing i conditions in our State there is no : certain way to have this done ex cept through the medium of pubI lie debate. Yours sincerely, i It. K. Tillman. ) I ? OLD STKKL OK DKATH. , "There is but one small chance to save your life and that is though an operation." was the awful ' prospect set liefore Mrs. I B Hunt, of Lime Uidge, Wis., by her , doctor afUrr vainly trying to cure j , her of a 1 rightful case of stomach , trouble and yellow jaundice. lie I didn't count on the marvellous power of Klectric Bittern to cure < Stomach and Liver trouble*, but .she heard of it, took seven bottles, I wuh wholly cure<l, avoided sur- ? , geon's knife, now weighs more and feels better than ever. It's positively guaranteed to cure 1 Stomach, Liver and Kidney troll- J bles and never disappoints Price 50c at Crawford Bros' drug store. | ?? r r>rw a pi n u *1 S. C MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. The Semicentennial Meeting of the South Carolina Medical Asso? Nation will he held in Charleston April 18, 1000. It is proposed to make this event the occasion for a general reunion of all the physicians in the State. Invita uons win mereiore be sent to avery doctor in the State, requesting him to he present. A public reception will he tendered to the physicians by the Mayor and Allertnen of the City of Charleston: Excursions to Isle of Palms and other entertainments will he offered by the local profession. Dr. Hobart Amory Hare, of Phila dolphin, Pa, will deliver the Annual Address. Board in the city can be obtained at $1 and upwards at the hotels. Reduced rates of faro will be on sale on all roads loadinp into the city. W P PORCH ER, President. T P WHALEY, Secretary. 1 m-8. CASTOR IA For Infants and Children. The Kind You Have Always Bought B.or. th. Signature of C/c T.W.SECREST, SURVEYOR^ OSCEOLA, H. I ' I> fully equipped, and qualified, and solicits your nurvcyinur Ilioiie No. 1 Or call at DuITi'h Market f? r a Boast ??r -weak or eome good HaiiHHiten i?r r first cihhh Fry or Hiew of Norfolk 0>n?eiB and he convinced that it'a omethlnv v? d you will vet from the Market on the t orner ot Mam ami DuiiKp streets. THE RESTAURANT You wilt And supplied with the Ben' Norfolk Oysters every Wednea* day and Friday. Respectfully. A. F. DUFFT. HHFCTFR MACHINE AND LUMBER COMPANY. CHESTER, S. O o The < 'heeler Machine ?'o. am] R. M. " prati A * o , have consolidated the iwo pants, and now ready to furninh anything ? (he Machine and Lumlier line?, with a well eipiipped K >undrr and Machine Nhop, and Door, Hash and Blind Fac'ory r ur facilities are unj quailed in this part of the State. KKA PKRs MOWERS, * Tli KESFl KRs. GINS, ENGINES SA vV MILLS, HAY AND CO i I ON PRESSES, HAKROAH, CASiINGS, E C A?J?U SECONO HAND MACHINERY. Mr Mill** complete for Dwelling*, At'?re Room*, etc. Hend uh Hat of vour wnuts, and we will anew* r by returu mail Reepaotfullv, CHESTER MACHINE k LUMBER COMPANY. ELLIOTT &~ ~ CRAWFORD. Mulee for the money? Mulea tor good paperMil lee any way y.>u want 'cm ? Mulea to work or mule* to caper. mWK NOW HAVE IN our R'atden every eon*. I ceivahle kind of a mule ? From the quiet and doolie to the feeiiv and frmkv?from th? <!** ?**.?.??? ? TH\y ptuit to the t-uperb young Wet-tern mule Another car load of the latter kind received last week. Kememt>er. we sell either for the ;aeh or good pa |>er. Our preaent stock of Horse* cannot :>e teat. Home uumtier one saddlers itid harness animals. (Tall and see our stock of all kinds. If'e'll alao ehow you aoine of the l>est tnd cheapeet Kugglea and Wagons rou ever saw. ELLIOTT & CRAWFORD.