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mm , ' \ . ON THE CAMWkjfiN Candidates For Senator and State Offices Canvassing MEETINGS GET MORE INTERESTING Discussion of Live Issues ? People Keen Cool and Give Each Speaker a Respectful Hearing. At Conway. Conway, June 30.?The senatorial campaign meeting was held in the court house, in the presence of about 250 persons. Congressman Scarborough, at the request of the county chairman, introduced the speakers. The senators were all refreshed by the day's rest in North Carolina, and the majority of them are relegating their little set and prepared speeches to the rear and as a consequence the campaign meetings promise to become more interesting. The Evans-Latimer controversy came up again, Mi. Evans reading the nnJ T it'mflv rfinlvlncr at *;iiui&cs auu x a v. mcx icpi;m5 v?v length, stating that Dr. Stokes, who was once his f>; ?nd and whom he had befriended, was at the time of his death an enemy. The enmity Latimer alleges arose from Jealousywhich was increased by Latimer's getting the seed and bulletin appropriations when Stokes, who was on the agricultural committee, objected to the Increase. Mr. Latimer acknowledged everything charged by Stokes except the free annual pass and be said that he hoped that he would drop dead in his tracks if his statement was not true. Mr. Latimer appealed to the audience and tried to imitate Tillman by taking a hand primary, but only seven hands went up. It developed that Evans thinks Latimer betrayed him in the McLaurin campaign. The two men have not been seen to speak to each othen since the beginning of this campaign. It will be remembered that at Marion Mr. Latimer said that Dr. Stokes wanted to be a candidate for the senate and made the charges against him to help himself, but it now appears that Mr. Latimer puts it on the ground that Dr. Stokes was afraid that he was taking too much credit to himself about the rural free delivery bill. Senator J. A. McDermott, county chairman, presided over the meeting and without any preliminary introduced Horry's favorite son. R. B. Srarhormieh. who in a neat little talk thanked his home for the confidence reposed in him. Mr. Scarborough did not go to Washington, but will appear at the Georgetown and Kin^trce meetings. Col. Elliott in his introduction spoke of the feeling of envy with which he loked upon Congresman Scarborough with his entire county and district at his back, while the poor candidates for senator were talking all over this State with opponents at their heels. He told of his trip ap the Waccamahaw river a few years ago with a view of obtaining information as to how the river could be improved as a means of transportation. After going up the various etreams emptying into Winyah bay , he found that it was necessary to deepen the water on the bar. Through his instrumentality an appropriation of $2,000,000 was secured for this pur pose and now instead of having seven feet at Georgetown the depth has been increased to fifteen feet and is daily increasing, as the work on the jet. ties progresses. The Waccamahaw river is a navagable stream with a regular line of steamers between Conway and Georgetown, a distance of 65 miles. Therefore this subject is of peculiar interest to these Horry people. Col. Elliott went on to show the fight he had made in congress against the bagging trust, the force bill and all other measures injurious to the South. He characterized the actions of the Republicans toward the South as being hypocritical and oppressive. He also advocated the system of popular election for United States senators in all States without the supervision of national authority. The Republicans desire to manage us just as they now control the island of k n..i ^ vuua. Ew Col. Elliott is proud of his 14 yeara' A record in congress and the fight he has made for the prinicples of his parlor ty and against the enactment of op^ pressive laws. Mr. Hemphill, like the other speakers, showed that the day's rest at Lake Waccamaw, N. C., had proven beneficial. He spoke with his usual eloquence and told about the Republican methods of imperial expansion, the trusts, etc., interspersed with clean jokes. Mr. Evans again told why he entered the senatorial race against McLaurin and why he entered the reform movement. There are six candidates for the senate and they all have a record. He has not jumped on Col. Elliott for not fighting the Republicans because he was not in a position always to battle with them. For instance. Col. Elliott has been and is a "gold bug" and therefore can not fight them on this issue. He jumped on Latimer and took him to task about his boasted record. He said Mr. Latimer denounces the transportation trusts, yet accepted and distributed free passes among his friends. Mr. Evans eulogized Dr. J. W. Stokes, late congressman from k the seventh district, and said that [ Latimer claimed that this informaf tioD was given out to injure him, to keep him from running for the sen# ate, as Stokes wanted to run himself. Mr. Evans then read the following from the Yorkville Enquirer: STOKES VS. LATIMER. Among the speakers at Tirzah, on Aug.( 3, 1900, was Mr. A. C. Latimer. The 'Enquirer had no personal representative at that meeting, but got its information of what occurred from different people who were present. Among other things Mr. Latimer was reported to have claimed much credit for his effort in behalf of rural free delivery, and many of his hearers understood these claims to infringe achievements that they knew belonged to Dr. J. William Stokes. This writer was at the time serving temporarily as the Yorkville correspondent of the Charleston News &nd Courier, and told of the circumstance related, in that paper. A few days later there came a letter from Dr. J. William Stokes, and although we do not care to give all of It at this time, we'll beg permission to introduce the following as "Exhibit A:" Orangeburg, S. C., Aug. 10. 1900. Mr. W. D. Grist, Yorkville, S. C. Friend Grist: I see by your report in the News and Courier, of the Tlrzah meeting, that Mr. Latimer has been "at It azain. * * - u an mv friends were as effective as you In this sort of thing, I would have no need to defend my title. Your hit on the picture enlarging business was a centre hit. Several others equally appropriate?organizing free junkets among members, placing his kinsfolks in the government service, and having his farm set in grass at the government expense and under a government epert when the State farm at Clemson is but a few miles distant. All this is apace with the penitentiary bookcase scandal. With hind regards. Faithfully. J. Wm, Stokes. All this was so interesting that the writer was constrained to ask Dr. Stokes for more substantial details, at the same time giving assurance that nothing the doctor would write would afterward be used to his embarrassment as a public man. In reply Dr. Stokes said that all the matters inquired about were of common knowledge in Washington, and some of them are of public record. The letter covers four pages; but for the present ovfropfc $ntrnrluppH VUC U1 tnu Otivi v uvvo here as "Exhibit B." will suffice: Orangeburg. S. C., Aug. 21, 1900. Mr. W. D. Grist, Yorkville. S. C. * The party in question organized a junket to Cuba, and also one to Due West from Washington a couple of years ago, and many smaller trips to New York and Niagara for family and friends. On many, or most of these, he was persistently urged to go. It was urged that it would not cost anything?until I plainly told the party that that was my chief objection to going. He also had sent me an annual pass over one of the great trunk lines, which I returned. I have heard of others whose scruples of this sort were overcome by him. * If any controversy should arise, and I am called upon to testify, I will not flinch: but I don't care to appear in the role of informI ant, even though it be as to matters I r\f ro/^nrfl TTntthfllllv J." Wm." STOKES. After these letters had been read more than a year ago they were carelessly thrown aside; but when Mr. Latimer made his vicious attack on the Enquirer at Tirzah some weeks back they become of renewed importance and it has required a tedious search to bring them to light again. They contain some additional facts that arc quite interesting, but which for the present will keep as well as others would have kept if Mr. Latimer had conducted himself with becoming circumspection at Tirzalj. As to Mr. Latimer's daim that he had no concern in this photograph enlarging business, we beg to differ. We are willing to concede his right to sell pictures on the floor of the house. As congressman from the third district he is not our district representative; but when he asks for the privilege as the representative of all the people in South Carolina, to sell pictures to senators, we insist upon our right to protest. Mr. Evans said that Mr. Latimer stated at Marion that the railroad company furnished them a train to come down to South Carolina to hear Bryan speak. "We all known," said Mr. Evans, "that the railroads all hate Bryan and would not do anything for him." It was a true junketing trip gotten up by Latimer for himself and friends. Mr. Latimer did not attempt to in ormirwt Mr Rvnna Mr Evnns thpn took up the trusts and scored the Virginia-Carolina Chemical company, saying we need another revolution in South Carolina to get the corporation lawyers out of the State senate. He scored these congressmen who boasted about their seed transactions in congress, denouncing it as a scandal and swindle. John McLaurin started out by making concilliatory advances to t!? Republicans and now they have swallowed him. Mr. Latimer started out on his record and gave notice in advance he expected to tell the whole record in the matter. Dr. Stokes came to Washington two years after Laitmer had been there and boarded at his home. They soon became good friends and Latimer undertook tc help him out in his contest with Tom Johnson from Sumter and finally won the fight for him by three votes. Just before adjournment of congress Stokes was in debt $3,000 and after the victory Stokes came to him with tears ir his eyes and thanked him. Hart Moss of Crangeburg knows 'bis tc be true; and he also thanked oim for ""hat h{ had done for Stokes. Mr. Latimer ex1 pressed sorrow ij oe compelled to say r this about i dead friend. Dr. Stokes was on the agricultural committee ol the house and was opposed to an increase in appropriation for the distribution of seeds and bulletins but he (Latimer) had been instrumental in getting the increase and Stokes never forgave him. Latimer asserted that he never claimed to be the author of the free delivery bill; neither was Billy Stokes. When the matter first came up Stokes was not in congress nor until two years after. Mr. Latimer does not think it fair to resurrect a matter lone after a man is dead. Mr. Grier represented at the Tirzah meeting in 1900 a strong anti-Tillman paper and was not disposed to treat him fairly, and Stokes seeing his communication wrote the letters which Evans had read. As tc peddling pictures, a inan came to him with an enlarged picture of the house of representatives and while he was I looking at it, Tom Reed saw it and | wanted one. so did 30 or 40 others, and he took their orders and the man gave j him one for his trouble; that was all j there was in the peddling picture busi?oee A o tn <nnIrotir? ar trine Mt T .Qt i_ mer said when Bryan spoke at Due West he and his friends paid $250.00 for a Pullman car and the railroad pulled It at his request for nothing. He wants J whenever he can to bring these Republicans down South and let them see us exactly as we are and not what they imagine us to be. He does not bow down to Republicans but likes to be kind to them and the." In return always vote and help him out on every measure except strictly party ones. When they went to Cuba they paid $25 a day for a car; $2.50 a berth. Tillman and Norton were In the party and they were entertaining at Greenville, Columbia and Charleston. He had gone to tfew York and Saratoga on freepasses and given Dr. Stokes one for himself and wife which t,hey had used. The majority of members of congress ride on free transportation. He had a record of 50 years in Anaerson county ana ms people had always sustained him. Mr. Evans?"You charged in the McLaurin campaign that I had stolen $15,000. That cannot be true, for I am rot in the penitentiary." Mr. Latimer "Yes, and you charged that Tillman had lined his poakets with, rebates." Evans said nothing. "When Christ was unjustly accused ! he was tried and convicted by the 1 Jewish sanhedrin?a body composed of j lawyers." added Mr. Latimer. (Cheers and laghter.) Latimer said he had received a mensage before the campaign opened that Evans was going to put plasters all 1 over him in this campaign, yet he was once his friend; had been at his house; worked and voted for him against Joe Earle. "Now what is the matter with you?" asked LatimeV, turning to Evans. Mr. Evans?"You betrayed me." As to appointing kin folks to ofTice Mr. Latimer said that no one of his family had ever held office except him self and when his boy was appointed It was without his knowledge or eonsent, but his boy Is going to school studying law. "Can Evans say the same?" asked Mr. Latimer. Mr. Latimer then took a hand primary to find out if the crowd thought he had done anything wrong .and if they condemned him only seven hands went up out of 250. Mr. Latimer also said that at Mr. Hemphill's and others' request he brought a crowd of northern gentlemen to the exposition and they were delighted with the South and ! since have been singing her praises. He | told about Mr. Littlefleld's experience I and the defeat of the Crumpacker bill i in congress. As to tne tree annual pass tendered Stokes he said Dr. Stoke3 did get one in the mail while in his house and asked him about it; but he told him to do as he pleased about it, but he did not send it and had nothing to do with it, and if he was not speaking the truth he hoped that he would drop dead in his tracks. Evans did not reply, and this ended the incident for the day. Mr. Henderson told the legend of Horry county, demonstrating that a man from this county regards his word as paramount to his life. They have always been Democratic and true to the white man's cause. He is not parading over the State as a farmer. He is simply a lawyer and will, if elected, defend the interests of every class. Mr. Latimer tells on every stump that he is a farmer and 6peaks of the lawyers as "whipper snappers." Mr. Latimer: "That does not includg you." While calling no names. Mr. Johnstone referred to Mr. Hemphill's claim about his fight against the force bill, saying the silver friends of the north west saved the soutn. He aiso reierrea to Latimer's cl-tim ot $208,000 back taxes collected from the South Carolina railway. The bill did pass the house but was killed in the senate. DeArmond and Turner both introduced this bill and Mr. Latimer is claiming credit as he also got in a bill. Judge Simonton subsequently reversed his decision and the State got the money. Mesesrs. Latimer. Evans and Johnstone finally got this matter straight. ?yroadlM'MeMe.rodlu dl dl dl dlu dlu dl At Georgetown. Georgetown, Special.?The senatorial meeting held here was what may be called Elliott day. Col. Elliott, who has done so much for Georgetown during his fourteen years in congress, came back and returned the talent entrusted to him with an hundred fold increase and received the hearty plaudit of "well done" from the citizens of Georgetown. , Therre were no tilts between Messrs. Evans and'Latimer but it is understood the matter has by no means been drop <r? i ped. It is intimated that both men have a reserve supply of fireworks which will be used at a more convenient season. Mr. Hemphill was the first speaker who stated in his introduction that the candidates were practically all agreed on all the great national questions and the only good that could result from these discussions is that the voters having heard all these speeches, they will be enabled better to judge which of the six candidates is best fitted for the high position of United States senator. He then discussed the question of imperial expansion and went over the am a orminrl whip!, has been nrevious ly reported. Ex-Gov. Evans spoke cf the' fight against McLaurin whom he characterized as a Republican in disguise, and his fight to expose him in his true light He again spoke of opposition to the Spanish war but when it was de! clired he offered his services and was sent down to Cuba to clean up that "pest hole" after the war was over. Mr. Latimer endorsed Mr. Hemphill's ideas of expansion and Mr. Evans' on tariff reform, but we are powerless to change it while the Republicans are in the majority. It is a plain business statement. Every Democrat favors it and cannqt prevent passages of purely Republican measures. Mr. Henderson pleased his Georgetown audience by telling them of their great improvements in the recent past and their grand outlook. He congratulated them on their determination to make a square white man's fight for the first time in the coming general election. The 20 minutes allotted to all the speakers was well utilized by Col. Johnstone, who, with his eloquence, held his audience in the hollow of his hand. In his introduction h( referred to ManagauK's charge at Chioemauga, waicn caneu lurm iuuuua ui a^i^uo*.. He told of hl3 amendment to relegate the back taxes due by the low country, years ago, to the waste basket. He told them that it was he who nominated their countryman for the aofTice of adjutant and inspector general in the State convention and his triumphant election to that office. When Chairman Henderson announced the name of the last senatorial speaker cheers and yells for "Elliott," "Elliott," "Elliott" went up with one accord as has never yet been accorded any candidate for the senate in this campaign. Col. Elliott was visibly afTected. Tears of gratitude brimmed his eyes, and his lips quivered as he stood in silence facing his audience waiting for their cheers to subside. Several seconds elapsed before he would trust himself to s toak and with true modesty, whicn nas always characterized his every act, he did not boast of what he had accomplished, but attributed whatever success that had adcompanied his endeavors to the united action and layalty of the Georgetown people. The encouragement that these people gave was always an Incentive to him and at the close of his congressional career he was glad to come back to these people bringing with him the fulfillment of every request that they had made of him. He regretted for reasons best known to himself that there were not several thousand more voters in Georgetown county. Or as he expressed it, "a thousand for e^ery hundred. He told of his work in congress in behalf of the political principles of the Democratic party and the Republican measures that were obstructed by hi? party. In conclusion, Col. Elliott told of the pleasure it gave him to meel them again and as a parting benediction said: "God bless you all." I run ctitc riunwr.v IUC 3IAIC WAiuraiun At Edgefield. Edgefield, Special.?The campaigners have left the State of South Carolina as. it were, and are now in "the State of Edgefield." It was expected by knowing oner that this Edgefield meeting would not, except in its reflex action, be a solemn occasion. In genuine Edgefield spirits, long confined and non-riven assunder, It surpassed, so the old campaigners affirm, anything ever seen even in South Carolina. This was occasioned by the mouthy and most vociferous tempest war of mouth and noise between the rival factions of Talbert and Tillman. For exactly 43 minutes after Col. Tillman was Introduced, this howling and yelling was so persistently maintained as to effectually stop even attempts at speaking. Many times when the roar of howling voices were at the utmost extreme of frenzied shrieking it was perfectly patent that what was once popularly supposed to have "broke loose (n Georgia" had permanently established headquarters in Edgefield court house, South Carolina. 'PUa (fAllidfli V\AtMn of t V> O X UC J Oiling UCfjOli iUJUiCUiaici/ uv vuv close of Ansel's speech and for some time cheers and counter cheers for Talbert and Tillman prevented Heyward, who was to follow, from speaking .He did speak and when he stopped and said, "My honored friend Talbert came to my town and spoke, so did my distinguished i'rlend Tillman, and no one j yelled for Heyward?the cheers of the ! house greeted him. Col. Talbert was received with most cordial enthuiasm but the counter cheering for Talbert and Tillman grew so tubrulent and confusing that not one word could be heard before before he stopped speaking. For exactly forty-three minutes j Tillman faced the crowd and only I stopped when it became easily apparent that the rival factions had no idea of stopping their hooting and yelling. There were a few drunken men in the j crowd but not much anger was visible, the reporter's chair and table were -?? 1 upset when Col. Tillman's friends. rushed up with a crown of flowers, put it on his head and bore him in their arms out on the square. The rivalry H was so great that in a few minutes SH Talbert's friends came up and bore him out in similar manner. County Chairman Rainsforrd, forcibly, gracefully, with no reference to + fruit culture, made appropriate remarks, stated his platform and an| nounced as first sneaker Col. Gunter, candidate for the office of attorney ' general. Col. Gunter paid tribute ! briefly to the historic record of Edgefield county, more briefly referred to his record, then used his 10 minutes to the discussion of some issues concerning his candidacy. The Hon. W. F. Stevenson came next and would waste no words in compliI menting a great county: great enough 1 to stand alone. At once he began hi* reply to Mr. Gunter's special charges. ^ f Will prove his fitness for office out of s* his opponent's mouth. The issue is be--'' tween Mr. Gunter and the ways and means committee?not with him. Heread a statement from committee, explaining that he (Mr. Stevenson) was sennt for - to appear before them. "Charges unjust to committee and to Mr. Stevenson"?so said letter. (Cheers and applauuse.) Any charge relating to this is untrue; no man can establish it nor assert it to my face. Ne7trberry bar's action suits me. Issue now between them and Mr. Gunter. Col. J. Harvey Wilson came next and his firm speech warmed up his Edgefield hearers. He was interrupted with, cheers and applause, which were vehemently renewed at its close. Col. J. Thnmaa Austin came, briefly and with dignity, presenting his claims and was well received. The letter of Treasurer Jennings, who has his plum and "gone on," wa$ now ready, after which candidates for the office of Superintendent of Education spoke, Mr. Martin leading and finding a very responsive audience. Mr. Martin made his speech, though hot weather had made his opponent warm up and discussed issues. Changing books and the election of county superintendents. His speech and his illustrationns pleased the crowd and he ; closed, having been well listened to, ending with applause. ? Supt. J. J. McMahan spo/ce next, with > brief reference to necessity of having a clown along to give us mental rest. : We need clear headed, courageous purpose?not jokes. Mr. McMahan then gave his closely listening hearers some facts well worth consideration. Then recorded his purpose and his work, independently and resolutely defending his position, taken solely i'or advancement of needs of the office which he j held. Mr. McMahan had time only for a brief statement regarding his limited opponent. Mr. McMahan was earnestly listened to and closed with cheers and applause. Cheers and counter cheers for Talbert and Tillman now reigned, cheers for Talbert predominating, in spite of Chairman Rainsford's efforts to produce order. Some semblance of order was finally secured after continuous ! pounding of the chairman's gavel. The rival factions were very noisy. Col. Talbert then got the floorr and asked for quiet and the continuance of the programme. Capt. Hayward was greeted with cheers and enthusiasm; then again cheers and counter cheers for Talberrt and Tillman with some few for Heyward. Cal. Talbert and the chairman again asked for order. Col. Talbert asking for Heyward, at this Col. Talbert's home, the same courtesy and attention shown Col. Talbert at Walterboro. Capt. Heyward spoke to a talkative crowd, the two rival home factions having much to say to each other. Whenever the speaker was applauded, there were cries for Talbert and Tillman. Heyward's allusion to the contrast between this and former meet ings was greeted with genuine Edge field cheers. Capt. Heyward, continuing, held the attention of his hearers, winniig applause, which was always met by counter cheers for Tillman and Talbert. Air splitting Edgefield yells, loud and continued greeted the aappearance of Col. Tillman. Again counter cheers for Tillman and Talbert greeted the earrs with vehement roar. Th echairman's gavel was of no avail and for a long time Col. Tillman faced the cheering, noisy crowd. The continuous beating of the chairman's gavel added to this with no quieting effect. At last silence reigned momentarily and Col. Tillman thanked the friends at his home who gave him such enthusiastic welcome. He spoke of the courteous greeting given him at the home of Capt .Heyward and was sure a similar one awaited them at Greenville. He would not discuss the issues today; it was not necessary. Whatever record he had made he wuld stand or fall by it. Trom*ndous cheers for Tillman. Tal! bert's friends joining In for Talbert. Order with extreme difficulty was restored. At Lexington. Lexington, Special.?The meeting here Saturday was quiet and uneventful. Lexington citizens maintained the close interest shown at nearly every meeting. Mr. Causler qualified his charge thai ail his opponents once rode on free passes excepting Messrs. Mobley and Jepson. i The acting county chairman. Mr. C. I M. Efird, did not delay in calling the 1 meeting to order and Mr. Martin, can- ' didate for office of State supreintendent of education, was introduced. He was followed by Supt. McMahan. Mr. Martin clearly stated his issues and | was r.s clearly met by Mr. McMahan, who states his position and his share i