The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, July 10, 1902, Image 2
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. 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