Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

VOL. XXVII. BARNWELL, S. C. THURSDAY JUNE 80. J904. Qov. Heyward t r - i Meets the CAMPAIGN BEGINS. People. lo Opening the Meet' „ . : v ' - r' ' • "i- ■ ing of the State HE REVIEWS CONDITIONS Needs of the State, and Says the Outlook is Very Bright, Thanks the People for their x Confidence. The following Isa resume of Oover- nor Heyward’s speech at Sumter on Tuesday as reported In The State:' Gov. Heyward opened by declaring that he could most truthfully say he . was glad to be lMue.—la fellow-citizen's of Sumter be wanted first to thank them for the loyal sup port which the voters of this county had given him. He saw so many evi dences of groWth here'that be looked for an even larger vote at the next election. In announcing bis.candi dacy for re-election as governor of _ South Carolina, Gov. iley ward said he was most profoundly grateful for the many evidences of trust and confidence shown him during the administration of his duties as chief executive of South Carolina. In the discharge of - these complex- duties he had- but a ■Ingle aim, the welfare of South Caro lina, the advancement of all her inter-; ests. He took this occasion to thank the people of our State for ttjeir assist ance and the newspapers also for their co-operation in this work. ' As a further manifestation of the trust and confidence of tbe-'jpeople, Gov. Heyward spoke most apprecia- Uvely of the fact that he had no op position. ~ . He pointed with great pride and pleasure to this stamp of approval from his constituents, one that he could never forget. In discussing this happy situation, the governor Also made acknowledgments for hts col- ^ leagues among the State officers, all Qf whom practically shared in the hon ors of this situation. He then dwelt upon and pointed with especial pride to the endorsement of his administra tion contained in the DemccraUc plat form of South Carolina. In referring to the present cam- \ paign, the governor said: “I scaraaly know what to do. The State execu tive dommittee,. fo’lowing the man date of the constitution of the Demo cratic party of South Carolina, has ap pointed a meeting in each county. They have also adopted -a res lutlon to the effect that candidates a ho bad no opposition would be expected t > speak only onoe in each congres- atonal district. It would give me great pleasure, for many reasons, to attend every meeting which has been" programmed if only to meet again tie. people of our State. Wherever and whenever I have met' them they have given me such a greeting ** has made me glad to return and see them again, and share once more their hospitality, o 1 jpajfce ri|j In Its broadest sense. He pointed out that while our State institutions of higher learning were doing a splendid work, that there was urgent and press ing need for a more complete and sys tematic organization of our common school system. Our State superinten dent of education was zealous and ar dent in bis work and he must have active co-operation in each county. There is no more important officer in any countjrthan is that of superinten dent of education. / NEEDS OF COMMON SCHOOLS. Gov. Heyward was deeply in earnest in what he said here, especially so in reference to the needs of our common schools, the imporfthoe of which special mention of the fact that at the last meeting of the general assem bly a Urge number of actswere passed allowing school districts to be bonded for the purpose of improving their common schools, and he trusted that more school districts could see their way clear bo levying a tax for the sup port of the common schools. Gov. Heywaxd was firm and out spoken in his condemnation of laWv lessness which seemed to be so preva lent and referred especially to the .her or homicides that have recent- IjNoccurred in South ^Carolina, lie e governor "and" State offi cials could do little to check this de plorable condition and the remedy oould rest only with the people them selves. The sentiment of our people must be aroused upon this subject. It is a matter of tne utmost import* anoe from every standpoint and noth ing bad more direct bearing upon our material prosperity, nothing operated - so disastrously upon our reputation at borne and abroad as repeated disregard of the majesty of the law. Too many of our best citizens are not qualified electors, presumably for the neglect of jury duty. This responsibility rests upon every man in South Carolina and^ each individual should realize the io^ portance of these grave duties. The best citizenship of the State should assert Itself and a halt should be called and called at once. The dispensary law is the only law tbe enforcement of which lies prima rily lit the hands of the governor: He had kbught to carry out this law as best be could, but had found It a most difficult task. This had not deterred him from doing his duty as he con ceived it and he was wlijlng, at Any time, to assume tbe full responsibility „ devolving upon blm as governor of hnrmwAri South Carolina, in the proper enforce ment of any law upon the statute books. A. BRIGHT OUTLOol. In considering tlie material Inter ests of tbe State, 3 Gov. Heyward said he thought the -outlook was never brighter. Lands were increasing in value throughout the State, tbe ad vance in cotton, which bids fair to be permanent, was a blessing to our fax- meis and made them more hopeful The Sumter Meeting Contrast With Those of Former Tears. THE UHOPPOSXD ABE HAPPY. Ool. Tribble Absent and Mr. Gantt Had AU Hia Own Way. Five for Railroad Commission. The first State campaign meeting was held at Sumteran Tuesday of last week. A few minutes after 11 o’clock the meeting was called to order by Chair man E. W. Dabbs, who requested the Rev. Mr. Edmunds, D. D., to open tbe meeting with prayer. Chairman Dabbs welcomed the can didates, asked a Respectful hearing for them, and In a few introductory re work, and I hope It may spread to the' ly for the confidence and trust you have uttermost parts of South Carolina, until good, Inspiring books are placed In reach of every man, woman and child. I hope the legislature will renew nmiirt not he overeat i matad. He made marks urged the people of “Sumter county to take an Interest In politics, to vpte In the primaries and also in the general election from presidential electors to coroner. Chairman Dabbs introduced Gov. Heyward. „ * A resume of tbe governor’s speech wbicb appears on the first page of this paper. * '* Gov. Heyward was followed by Lieut. Gov.-Sloan, candidate to suc ceed himself. A VERY HAPPY MAN. . Col. Sloan says be could not express the happiness be felt Tuesday at being with the people of Sumter; at being without opposition and at the mater ial, industrial, agricultural, intellect ual and religious prosperity of the peo- ple of South Carolina. He compliment ed the people of Sumter on the evi dence their city gave of prosperity and the judicious expenditure of- money. He paid: a high tribute to Senator Manning from Sumter county, to whose aid he attribute much of the success of his Conduct of affairs in tbe State senate. /- Col. Sloan was In favor of religion, education and progress. In fact Col. Sloan said he was ‘‘very much In favor of everything.” ' STATE TRfcASU&KK. Capt. R. H. Jennings, candidate for reelection to the State treasurership for his third term, was the nett speak er. Capt. Jennings was especially pleased to. have no opposition, as lt was bis third race. He professed not to be a speaker, but desired to kuown of any mistakes that be bad made so that he oould correct them in bis next term. He said he had been elec ted State treasurer at a-very unfortu nate lime, a time when money bad to Treasurers before him had not had to borrow, but he had been forced to bbrrow because of tbe pension and ottmr appropria ions. But be bad been able to borrow at a low rate of interest, which indicated that tbe bankers had confidence in the State and its ability to pay. . — I -NO ISajfES TO DISCUSS. "On the other hand, I remember that there are no Issues to discuss, as is ahown by the fact that we have no . opposition. Th* offloe of governor— ■- iHTiT tAw nffln**—<ycupv the time And attention of the incumbents. These are busfness offlees and it is to the interestsr of-the people that this, business shbuld receive prompt atten- tion. Since my inauguration I have gevoted my entire time to the dis charge of these duties, and ! do not think it best subserves tbe interests of all concerned that these duties should be systematically.jijplected for nearly two months. •; "For these good reasons I shall not attempt to make every campaign - meeting, by any means, but shall go to as many as possible. At present It is my intention to attend some few _ meetings this week, after which I ahall return to my office to get its business in such shape as will enable me to attend tbe national Democratic convention at St. Louis, to which I ‘ * have been elected a delegate.” Continuing, the governor said it was not his Intention to make a long — uMoh nor attempt a discussion of af fairs of state. He did not. feel that " be was here to give an account of his stewardship for the reason that, ow ing to the endorsement of tbe conven tion and the fact that he had noop- * position, this stewardship had also the endorsement of tbe people. Tbe governor said that he oould truthfully ' ny there were no great Issues now di viding the people of South Carolina, that factionalism In our State had ceased and the people were working ^ together for the advancement of their material interato. ' r While be did not intend making an - extended speech, and while there were nolwoes, Governor Heyward empha sised tbs fsot that be wished to call , attention to one . or two matters of —Jo thp entire In MSifi alrtienllnn be dwelt and this one fact made a general im provement of conditions. Labor, how ever, was gradually getting scarcer and it is our intention, through the newly created bureau of commerce and immigratlo*rta.bring into South Caro ina a good class of white immi grants who would make up for this deficiency. It was the intention of this bureau also to build colonies in our State, to take up our waste lands and add - to the general prosperity of our State. The negro is good'In his , place and vie need htm as . a flftjb'reirf^Jy*, but we need more white ,he sooner we get them the better. FINANCIAL CONDITION. In speaking of tbe financial condi tion Qf the..Statie» Gav.. Heyward- re-- Juade against which was bo render music at the minded his hearers that for some years it has been necessary for, the State to borrow money, and that he had called attention tp ..this condition of affairs in bis annual message, urging tbe leg islature to make some provision plac ing the State’s finances upon a cash basis. The general assembly had passed tbe license tax law placing a small tax upon all corporations. Un fortunately after tiie passage of this act the bill wav found to be inopera tive for this year. For tb^s reason, it was necefsary for the State/to borrow this year 1145,000 more th^n last year to meet currehtexpenses. The appro priation act of 1903 appropriated 91,133,000 and lo 1904 this act appro priated 91,247,000. Gov. Heyward thought it his duty to call this matter to the attentloh of the people aud said that he would again ask the attention of the legislature to this all-impor tant situation, asking also that tbe legislature would make some provision for better enforcing the tax law and for more equitable assessment of the property of the State. The governor, in closing, warmly reiterated his pleasure at again-meet ing his friends.'’ Th|s^ pleasure was materially Increased because of no dividing Issues. He briefly referred to the pension appropriation and the regard and affection with which thes heroes would be remembered an oaKd for. The governor, one of the original advocates of the good roads movement in. South Carolina, again emphasized tbe great importance of this work, expressing his pleasure st tbe interest manifested in the move ment in so many sections of the State. In conclusion, Gov. Heyward said Im oould not hope to adequately Ax- press hia appreciation to the people of Sooth Carolina for the honors they SECRETARY OF STATU. Secretary of State Gantt was then introduced. He announced hiacaudi- dacy fo succeed himself. He spoke of the opposition two years ago of one of SumteLs noble sons, Col. J. Harvey Wilson, who conducted his campaign on so high a plane that he and Col. Wilson parted with mutual respect and esteem which remained until today. Mr. Gantt regretted that he had oppo sition, but be asked.for an endorse ment of his admlnlstrstlon. He bxd received as secretary of state dur- og the past year about 923,000^ every dollar of which had been properly ac counted for. The criticism had been ubie fsgtry s?t of books bad nof b*8b kept.'- The legislature had not provided a bookkeeper, and be not see the need of one as dally balances were struck and daily settle cnents made. No fuitber charges were means that more than 20,000 volumes of well selected books have been put Into th« hands of thousands of bright, ambitious children. The gopd results will reach through the ages—and yet this Is only a beginning. All of our counties, except four, have begun this fer blm to my anpual report supmltted to the legislature, and If any gentle man desires to ask me any questions about that work, X will do my best to answer him. "Fellow citizens, yOnwill allow me to say thlk: That I thank you sincere- this appropriation, and that they will make an appropriation which will raise at least 915 to Increase each llbary already established. LOW SALARIES. "Some of our county superinten dents will not offer for re-election be cause their salaries are so low. They can easily get better paying positions. know of some well qualified men who save declined to offer for this position because of meag«r salaries. The average salary is only a little more than 9500 a year. I hope to see the time when nooounty superintendent In South..Cftrollna. »IIL- toeolvo leas than 91,000 a year," and when each superintendent will devote his whole time, energy and ability to hia work, for upon him rests the entire system and organization in each county. We have made gradual improve ment in length of term and salaries of teachers, but we ate yet sorely defici ent in these vital matters. We have been liberal in providing for the traln- ining of teachers, but we need to In crease our revenues by local taxtion and otherwise, so that we can provide for longer terms and tbe best of teach ers, because the best are cheapest, regardless of the cost. We need econo my, but not penuriousness. We have nearly 400 districts which levy local taxes. There are more than 1,600 districts In the State. A local tax can be levied only from the first of- January to the first of June. The legislature ought to change this law and let the people vote a special tax at any time in the year and especially in July and August; but those which were voted after June 1st could not be collected until the following year. A live county superintendent can more than earn his increase in salary by urging special levies. With improvement in buildings, libraries, equipment, establishment of oounty high schools, better teachers and finances, there is coming also an Improvement In course of study. Tbe useful and beautiful are being taught together—manual training and indus trial tralLing, as well as literature and art, are being tanght and -they will widen the horizon and increase the ^comforts and pleasures of our people, as well as develop originality and inventive genius. We need diver sity; we have had continuous mono tony. "Above all, wfes-need to build a strong and enduring sentiment in favor of genuine training and true education. There is a revival in this work, and <lt behooves our construe- tive and farseeing statesmanship to seize tbe critical moment and build M educational structure which will con tribute rich means of usefulness, cul ture and happiness In posterity and brtog glory aud honor to the State we love so well.’’ •"■*“— As Mr. Martin will have to prepare a summer school work he does not ex pect to be able to attend many more campaign meetings. ADJUT. GEN. FROST. Chairman Dabbs then introduced Mr. John D. Frost, candidate for a second term as adjutant and inspector general. He said he was not in favor of everything as was bis friend Col. Sfoqtn, but he militia. that confidenoe and trust.’ ATTORNEY GENERAL GUNTER. The next speaker was Mr. U. X. Gunter, candidate for attorney gene ral to succeed himself. Mr. Gunter said in part: "Two years ago at this place I asked for the suffrage of tbe people of South Carolina and promised that should I be honored I would give an account of my stewardship. I am here today for Roosevelt and reposed in me and I, today, pledge my self to do everything in my power, if ronlactad, to show myself worthy or] the rates In South Carolina were more favorable to the people than the rates in other southern States. He stated that regardless of the fact . that-4 2 years ago -nearly all the railroads In South Carolina were in the hands of receivers, yet today there were more applications for new depots in South Cajdllna than in Georgia and North Carolina combined. _ He spoke of the matter of claims and took the position that many hon- They Are Nominated for President and Vice-President that purpose* although I have no op- peace's!ms,, were not paid because of position aud tbe administration of which fam a member was endorsed by the State Democratic convention. the lack of local claim agents. He had! tried to have the legislature provide | for this. The legislature had not pro BY THE REPUBLICANS. It is exceedingly difficult to^ kpoy, RJklfl*Lfur_-tV*ad them was lorn am wbat to say in the absence of an oppo nent from whom to get a cue or who might develop some particular line. It follows that about all I can do is to briefly ‘blow my own horn? “The office of attorney general is an exceedingly Important one. As tbe legal adviser of all the State depart ments, including the dlspeasary insti tutions with its 93,000,000 business and large, number of officers; the du- t es as a member of and advisor of the phosphate commission, the State rail road board of assessors, State board of health, and oilier boards, suggests the amaunt and Importanoe-of tbe work if tbe offlbe. How that work has been done tbe records show, and the repre&entativ«» of the various depart ments will attest. The work of tbe railroad board of assessors Is an lllus- i.ration. This board,- consisting of live State officials, spent a number of weeks in performing its duties in as sessing 930,000,000 wprtb of prubeity, and increasing the’ assessment of last year over 92,000,000 in round numbers oVer tbe year before, to tbe satisfac tion, i believe, of all concerned, cer tainly resulting in a marked increase in tbe depleted revenues of the State. The sinking fund oommi»lon, of which the attorney general is a member, has charge of the handling of the sinking ihnd to liquidate the public • debt, which fund now amounts to about 9550,000 with an interest to our credit of-ne&rly l2jQ,Q00 -a- year for money oan:d to the counties and otherwise, or an increase of the year before of over 94,000. THREE HUNDRED OPINIONS. Nearly 300 ^ritten opinions were given by our office as well as a very large amount of verbal legal advice. be opinions are almost Invariably sustained when tested before tbe courts. The amount of litigation has Men considerable and some of It very Important, Involving such questions tbe constitutionality of the dts- densary law, and the anti-trust laws, railroad merger laws, and others in- volving questions of vast legal, politi cal and economic questions. Tbe connect such cases, by reason of cir cumstances that no lawyer can con irol, has been slow (more exasperating io me probably than any one else); but iboee that have come to a judicial test the State has won, and we have strong faith in the hearings yet to be had. “In the annual report I called to ohe attention of the general assembly that more stringent and certain laws should be made as to gambling and the operation of slot machioes. Such was in favor of a good This ‘was his especial duty so long as he was adjutant and inspector general. He could not hope to meet the^peo- plqjXflejjvery^unty in the ■'State' tibia, year sane had very heavy duties to preform during the approaching en campment of the State troops. Gen. Frost complimented Sumter oo furnishing the members of the band was entitled to an endorsement and he hoped that be would get more ^votes this time than two years ago. Chairman Dabbs announced that Mr. M. P'. Tribble of Anderson was also a candidate for secretary of state. Mr, Tribble was caljed for but he was not present and ffi&fe was no com munication to the chairman from him. It is understood that Col. Tribble was detained Tuesday in Newberry and that he will be at Maoutng Wednesday. Chairman Dabbs next introduced Mr. O. B. Martin, who asks for another term as superintendent of education. Mr. Martin told a number of jokes to point his argument. Mr. Martin said in part: i "At the opening of this campaign I deem it best to speak briefly in review of the educational work of the past year and also In review of the worlLnf next year. Within tbe last 12 months there have been built in South Caro lina about 125 new school buildings, ranging in cost from 9100 to 940,000. About 20 progressive districts have voted bonds for such buildings. Ap proximately a quarter of a million dollars have been Invested in school houses during the last scholastic year, and yet we have hundreds of uncom fortable, unfurnished, ill-adapted, one- room school houses scattered all over oQr State. May the good Influences Of those who have built spread to every such community. We ought to jpiaf a general law offering encouragement to build houses to districts which are not allowed to float bouda. We could take the income from the dog tax, or a larger share of dispensary profits, and p help self-helping communities build houses, giving preference to those which would concentrate and oonseli "Slam the adjournment of the gen- Mssmbiy, we have established nearly MO rural libraries and that State encampment. He thanked the people of Sumter for their past sup port and would try to do nothing to make them regret having elected him adjutant and Inspector general. THE CGMIT'RQLLEZU '* ' • Comptroller General A. W. Jones, as a candidate for comptroller genera to succeed himself, was then introduc ed. Mr. Jones said: “It gives me great p’easure to ap pear before you at this, the first meet ing of the campaign, to offer myself for re-election to the high and import ant office, of comptroller general of South Caroina. Two years ago the good people of-the State honored tee with their suflrages and elected me to that responsible position. I entered upon the duties of my office with diffi dence and distrust of my ability to discharge those dalles to your satis faction, but at the same time, I was filled with an earnest desire and de termination to do my best to justify your confidence and choice. “While I have not done as well I oould have wished, not been able to please everybody—myself included do feel profoundly graceful that my admistration of that office has been so far satisfactory to the public that now appear before you without any opponent in the field against me. think that I am justified In regarding that fact as a proof that the citizens of the State have sufficient confidenoe in my honesty, and sincerity and that they are willing to trust me for two more years. "It is not necessary, I hope, that should give' today an account of mj stewardship, nor shall I do so, uni you request it. “If any gentleman present desires information as to the work done In the oomptrolier general’s office during the past two jmn, l respectfully re- delay. MR. W. BOYD EVANS.’ The next candidate for railroad commissioner to address the voters was Mr. W. Boyd Evans. He said that he came from Marion,-the county of his birth and from Richland, the oounty of his adoption, under the tongue of good repute. He had made a clean race two years ago. He proposed to make a clean race this time. ^ . H Mr. Evans took the position that it was against Democratic policy In South Carolina to re-elect a man to the offiae of railroad commissioner, giving him 12 years in office, one half tbe business life of the ordinary man. He said that no member of hia immediate family had held office since 1854. He appeared before the people of South Carolina as a we) f-made man. He had made tbe money to send himself through cillege and he had been appointed private secretary to Gov. Eilerbe, who had obsjrved his struggles, and who appointed him without bis solicitation. Without meanlhg to attack Mr. Garris he asked his audience what had the railroad commission ever done for the benefit of the people. He did not think the commission would ever do any good until railroad passes for themselves and their families ware taken sway from them and their salaries were paid by South Carolina and not by the railroads. He then spoke of various disparities in the rates In this State and In other scutbern States, and attributed the difference to lack of attention by the railroad commission. He ipoke at length of the accident on the trestle at Fishing creek which had not been properly inspected by the commission. Mr. Evans said that he had tbe solid support of tbe people of old Marlon, bis native county, and hoped tbe peo ple of Sumter would see fit to give him their support. _ _ , MR. J. H. EARLE. Mr. John H. Earle of Greenville was tbe next candidate for railroad com missioner to beiutroduoed. „ Mr. Earle was to tbe oounty of bis birth and among people whom—be had known from childhood. Mr. Earle said that he had no rec ord save that as a private citizen and a lawyer to stand -upon. He did not owe a man a dollar, and he had never done a man a mean trick. That was tbe record be stood upon. He did not care if railroads were In the hands of receivers, they should ha required to give the people good ser vice. Greenville, one of the most im- Every Vote Was Recorded for ttie Two Candidates Who Had Been Previously ."'* -J ' Chosen' by the — Bosses. After continued work on Thursday In the Republican National Conven tion at Ohteago, Chairman Oannootn- aounoed that the next order of bosi- nef s would be a roll call of the States for the nomination of President of the United Statei. ■ r The clerk called “Alabama, n and Immediately Oscar R. Hundley of that State, mounted a chair and announced that Alabama requested the honor and privilege of yielding Ita place on the " to tha State oTNew Yorto^- Instantly the convention was in an uproar- Tha New York delegation was on Its . fast like one emu wav ing flags and shouting wildly. For mer Gov. Frank Black, of New York, who was to deliver the nominating speech to behalf of President Roose velt immediately started for tbe plat form amid the wUdeat enthusiasm on tbe part of tbe delegates. As Gov. Black reached the deak of Chairman Cannon ha was warmly greeted by that gentleman and escort ed down to tbe front of tba plattorm. Here Chairman Gannon, standing by tbe side of Mr. Black, In a tew words introduced him to tha convention. There was a succession of shoots from the convention, a chorus of shrieks from the New York delegation, a par* oxysm of tossing flags, than sUeoee, and Mr. Blank commenced his ffitisofc In behalf of President Roosevelt. ’ SHOUTING FOB BOOeBVBLff. • fi *-w aws were passed, of course not neces- portaot cities in the|State, had s little gulshsble. Gov. Black was frequently inter rupted by applause. Gov. Black pro nounced tha nominating words at joft 11.06 o’clock. As he did SO be retir# quickly from the platform. But tim words “Theodore Roossvelt” had not left his Ups when there was a about. The convention was on Its fait, like the crash of thunder that follows tbs lightning, tbe enthusiasm began. Flags were to the air, hate wen thrown up, men jumped on to their chairs, women stood and shouted Tbe air was rent with one oontinuons prolonged shout from thousands of throats. So mighty was the volume of souud that nothing definite to the way of articulate sound was distin- sarily from that suggestion, but they >a8sed, and I stand ready to aid in Jie enforcement of law and to dedi cate &U the power of my office to the suppremiun of crime, to proper recog* nition of constituted authority and the. furtherance of the noble name of ffiy State." _ Chairman Dabbs announced the candidacy of Mr. John S. Wilson for sullcltor of this circuit. Hr. Wilson was absent attendingccurt to George town. ~—— ;— —'■"'T" depot which bad been the memory of man. All that he oould say was that he would do his duty. That was all. he promised. He would sie that the railroads got jus tice, but he would also Bee RAILROAD COMMISSIONER. Chairman Dabbs stated that each of tbe six candidates for railroad com missioner would be given 20 minutes time. The. Arrangement of order of Speaking had been left to him and he called tbe name of Mr. James Cansler as the first speaker. Mr. Cansler was not present. Mr. C. W. Garris, the railroad com missioner whose term of office expires tnh.year, was then introduced, as a candidate to succeed himself. Mr. Garris expressed his pleasure at meet ing the people of Sumter again. He thanked them for their support In the past. He prop sed to conduct the present campaign on a fair and dig nified plane and he bad naught to say against any one of his opponents. He realized tliat he stood before the peo ple in the same Tight as the other candidates, that of a man seeking a position at the hands of the people of South Carolina. ‘ Hut besides this he had an account to give of his steward ship. Since he had taken his oath of office he had striven to do what was right between the people of South Carolina and the railroads. And he had done what was right according to his lights. The railroads were citi zens of the State the same as other corporations and they were entitled to careful consideration, and their rights were not to be disregarded any more than t-L® rights of the people. The sots of the railroad commission had been criticised by shippers, but tbe commission had tried to bold justice in view always, and the magnitude of the operations prevented their decis ion Jwith the readiness of s 60 cent transaction. He then took up in detail s comparison of the railroad rates in South Carolina and other southern States. His deductions from these comparisons were that people were given justice. The com- missslon was the only body to which the people could look for ft correction of their wrongs. The commission d! not have all the poweritshould have hi^tt lor more power. Mr. Earle denounced the use of liq- At this point the band struck up. Its strains, however, were only faintly audible in the mighty din. Then Chairman Cannon took a hand. Un furling a tattered silk flag, be sdvaoo- that the I ed to tbe extreme edge of the platform and began to wave it. The flag is the property of the Ltocoto-McMInler Association of Missouri, and mads Hi first appearance at a Republican ooa- In .1800 when Llnooto It . was than carried by the Missouri delegation and was waved lover the platform on that occasion as uor and money in elections, and put in this. It was fuel to the himself on record ss against all ahch methods to secure an election to office. MR. JOHN G. MOBLEY. Mr. John G. Mobley of Fairfield, candidate for railroad commisslner, was the next speaker. Mr. Mobley thanked Sumter for the vote given him two years ago, when he carried Sumter county against bis nine opponents, was elected, which tbe people Carolina had done as a reward for the Jim Crow car bill, a just and proper law and'one which deserted tim gra 1- tude of the people of the State, he retired into private life with a clean conscience. He couducted a campaign on his personal merits then. - He pro posed to conduct the same kind this time. He would never obtain a single vote bJ unfair or improper means He believed that a time had come for the people of South Carolina to look about the office of the railroad com mission. * T He said in the case of the Fishrog creek wreck tbe commission had been guilty of this great neglect, and the blood of the victims of that wreck cried outAgalnst the re-election ptMr. Garris. ’’ ^ -r ' flame of >f sound enthusiasm, and the volume of Increased. ’ * The front of the platform was next occupied by an immense portrait of President Rooee aloft by . three men. Again forth fresh impetus to the oom shout. ^ AN ATHLETE YELL. WbeoMr.Cfcightaftnl l The fr0n * of V* stage'was nett icopleof SdhthI°» er ™ un « * megaphone and a flag. As he swung the banner from side to side, he shout ed the name "Rooeevett. 1 * At eeoh swing of the flag the name was «n- pea ted. It was soon taken up by the delegates In front, spread to thoealn. the rear, and In a twinkle the whpie assemblage was shouting “Roosevelt,” “Roosevelt” to measured unisoo. The young man who started the cry wae J. Hehnr Smytbe, Jr* of Philadelphia where be Is prominently identified with amateur sports. The Indian delegation sprung open umbrellas of red, white and bine, bearing portraits of Roosevelt and Fairbanks sod the Alaskan cages wen held aloft and thousands of flags waved to a wild sweep of colors. The New York delegation, occupy- hall. Meanwhile wed no signs of dying oat. A LOTUS uau. When thefipptame ha elsaost seven mlnutee, It • -vi* - "V ■ . _v .1 MHE I ■ all the wrongs dope by tbe rallrods, which the commission should correct. He said that an engineer had- told him that be hoped he (Mobley) woold be elected. For tbe engineer felt that when Mobley was told of a defective piece of roadbed that the defect vtoold be eared. He said that the railroads by their policy of discrimination were making the farmers and othar pro ducers, the backbone of the country, poorer and poorer. [continued oo page 4,]