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WM lU a td) mun mib THE SUMTER WATCHMAN, Kat rt bli ?lied April, 1850. 'Be Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thov Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's.*' ^Consolidated Aug. 2,1881. SUMTER, S. C., WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 1896. THE TKCE SOCTHKON, Established June. 1366 Sew Series-Vol. XV. No 52 Ck Pateta at? SflB?fem Pablislied Every Wednesday, --BY * JNT. Gr. Osteen, SUMTER, S. C. TERMS : ' 9 ?1 50 per anoum-in advance. ADVERTISEMENT: One Square first insertion.$1 00 Every subsequent iosertion. 50 Contracts for three months, or longer will be made at reduced rates. All communications which subserve private interests will b?-charged foras advertisements. Obituaries and tributes of respect will be charged for. Coffee or Pistols ? The Campaign Outlook May Mean Anything. THE MOST EXCITING MEET? ING UP TO DATE. Flat Contradictions and Finger Shaking- Governor Evans Says That CoL John C. Has? kell Lied. Special to The State CHERAW, Joly 21.-Hungry, weary, wet woroout and more or less disgusted were the newspaper men who reached here from Chesterfield tonight, io search of a telegraph office. They drove there this morning, heard six and a half hoars of solid speech-makiog to 350 farmers, returning twelve miles tonight in a rain. The revelations expected to? day did not materialize. Secretary of . State Tompkins made a statement of a mild order and not affecting Governor Evans; Duncan produced no affidavits. The sensational feature was the collo? quy between Judge Earle and Governor Evans. Debates can scarcely cootioue ?Q the strain of today without there be? ing trouble between these meo. There are limits which must be reached even in these days of indecency upon the stump. There were contradictions flat. Judge Earie declared Evans had con? demned himself by his own statement in the bond case. IQ his talk about Detective Newbold, there were some re? marks which might be construed to mean anything you please from coffee to pistols. The ooe wire from this town being burdened tonight, and the lightning in? terfering, the candidates for State offi? cers will pardon beiog made to take a back seat. There was nothiog out of ordinary. Mr. P. B. Sellers and Solicitor J. M. Johnson, candidates for solicitor, met here today. Mr. Johnson made the humorous speech of the campaign. Rev. B. F. Hargett invoked the divine blessing and Mr. D. M. Bareotioe was county chairman. When Mr. Tompkiu? was introduced be said that he was no public speaker ; that his duties were purely ministerial, demanding no explanation; that they had been satisfactorily performed was evidenced by absence of opposition to his re-electioo. He would not have been here except for the fact that there had been talk of differences between Governor Evans and himself about the new dispensary law, and an editorial I had appeared in the Maocing Times in- ' sinuating that he had appropriated some rebates from liquor obtaioed when he was a member of the board of control. He would tell them of his connection with the board aod about the alleged differences with Governor Evans. The dispensary law of '93 made the attorney general, the comptroller general and the governor constitute the state board of oontrol. ia 1894 Attorney General Bar? ber asfced him if he would not go oo the board in his place, as he had oo time to attend to the business. He agreeiog, was put on the board. Dur? ing the mooth of January, 1895, Chairman Evans called a meeting of the State board of control. They then elected the commissioner and clerk. Afterwards he signed three orders clos? ing the distilleries. On another occa? sion he walked into the governor's of? fice and found him considering the appli? cation of the Southern railroad for per? mission to sell liquor oo dining cars running through the Slate. The gov? ernor submitted to him a syBtem of bookkeeping prepared by Mr. Scruggs. This year another meeting of the board was called to consider the application of the city of Columbia for a portion of the dispensary profit3. He had never asked the commissioner to buy liquor from but one man-his immediate com? mander in the war, an officer under Gen. Gary. He had no interests which would enable him to obtain any rebates. As to the alleged differences with Governor Evans. Mr. Barber had told j him of a dispensary bill proposed by the governor, leaving off himself and Comp? troller General Norton and letting the legislature elect two members. Mr. Tompkins said 'ha; he objected to that, saying that if there was any defect in rhe administration of the law Govern Evans was wholly responsible. I wanted to get off of the board but get off of it decently. Afterwards agreed ot? a bill retaining the old mei bers and aiiowiog the legislature elect two additional members. The differences had been settled. It w unjust to Governor Evans to r?>ake pu lie reference to that matter; unjust him to try to coonee: him with the r bates. Governor Evans opened his spee by referring to Whitman's charge th he had six thousand dollars for the e hibit at Atlanta, making the exp?an tion heretofore printed. As to the e planation of Colonel Tompkins* expia atiob. it was entirely correct. General Earle said he was neither Reformer nor a Conservative, but Democrat. It was not necessary for mao to be more than that. He mu say he favored the alliance demands 1890. There are Democrats, and R formers. Evans-Yes, and Reformers aod R formers and I was a Reformer whi you were trying to stab us in tl back. We pat Earle on the ben< because he said these fellows ought n cuss our Ben Tillman when governo Was that not paying him pretty well Are you now going to turn out an o horse wheo be has made the crop to I hiui die in the woods and be eaten c buzzards ? Earle-Where were you in 1890 whe I went to Aiken. Evans-I was on the same side the as now. Earle-Then you played on bot sides. Evans-Then you and I are in boat. Earle-That day you were uodei stood to be on the other side. Evans-WThy they said the Evat bpys howled down General Hamptot John Haskell said the Evans bo} howled Hampton down, but he knew was a lie. Evans-1 told a story about a boy o whom companions bad ?xed a cow' tail. He was congratulating himse on such an acquisition which woul enable him to exhibit himself, when h pulled the tail off. Now as soon a Judge Earle got a tail on the bench h was going to tear it off in the hope c getting to the senate, and he would b likely to lose both. The people wer not going to turn down men who kne\ their needs ; Judge Earle had been sit ting like an autocrat on the bench ani did not know wt *? the people wanted Through Ben Tillman Soutn Carolin had made more impression at Chicag than any other State in the union H made allusion to Whitman's charge against extravagance. Whitman-"You don't deny tba taxes were ?200.000 more last yea than in 1882 ? Evans said that the taxes had no been increased ; che increased taxes wa gathered from property that had beer added to the books by Reformers. "If some of these men," said Evans "well look up the tax faofcs and bring them out I will venture to say that he (Whitman) will tuck his tail and quii the stump. Evans appealed to the people not to sleep in the belief thai victory was already won. Don'c let these men, who were your enemies, tie you hand and foot. When the primar) comes off don't stay at home. This election is your instrument to secure victory nearly won." They were no! going to put in the seuate at Wash? ington a man who fought their princi? ples in 1890 Evans then broached the bond deal. His time was exhaust* ed, but was extended. He went over thc oft repeated statement At the conclusion Judge Earle asked, "How much did you make out of it ? Evans-Not one cent ; I expect to get a fee. Earle-Did you not state to Phil Gadsden that you were going to get from ?10,000 to ?15,000 as your fee?" Evans-No, and if he says so, he lies You know, sir, that such a fee as that would be too big for the service to be au honest one. Earle-I do not made the charge. I ask you if its not so. Evans-If Phil Gadsden says so, he lies in his throat. Boys, Phil Gadsden is one of the bitterest antis and is my political enemy. Do you suppose if this thing was so, I have so little seLse as to go and tell one of my enemies that I was corrupt ? (Cheers) Earle-Did ye not tell Gantt you expected a fee V Evans-I have said that in the pres? ence of about every one in the State. Certainly I expect to get a fee. Now I think General Earle should answer the questions of Mr. Kollock. Pearle-I am not ashamed to answer any question about myself. Evans-No I don't believe you are ashamed to say that you were an anti : that you fought Tillman ; that you said the Shell manifesto was a lie from be ginning to end. He really did not think Earle expected to get this office. Ile was studying geography and would come and ask thc people for something six years from now when they would give it to him. Earle-Not if you can help it. Governor Evans closed by making an J lIMMUIIIIHlilllM.n appea! for the people to stand to guns ; not to be persuaded to c their cause and not to swap off t He was cheered aud applauded Judge Eirle was applauded, ladies tn 'he audience leading, immediately alluded to Governor E speech as a remarkable harangue like of which he did not suppose bad been made by any governor of State io the union Evans-These are record brea rimes Earle-In this campaign whet people are supposed to be instn on important questions, they come and listen to a tirade. All he cac about me is: "Don't vote for 1 he ran against Tillman in '90." I did ran for governor io 1890, 1 ran against Tillman, and in all of campaign I never heard such 1 mean contemptible ?ings as I have h here to-day. Evans-What do you mean by temptible * Earle-I always mean just wi say-mean, contemptible Sings. Evans-Why, if there was notl charged agaiost you in 1890, did have to take the stump as a candi to explain? Earle-Because it had gotten the minds of the peopis that somet? was wrong, sir; just as it has go into the miuds there is somet? wrong about you, and you'll be fo nate if you clear yourself before tl as L did. Evans- 1 guess so. Earle-At the Kingstree meei the governor of the State occupy that position ot' dignity, said of t "I'll rip him up the back," he be the Aikeo gamecock. Evans-Well haven't I? General Earle said that without m ing charges of his own, and just acct iug Evans statement, he would say t if Tillman had known of Evans' c nection with Rhind when he sugges him for financial agent he would have appointed bim. Evans I had no connection with h sir, at that time. Tillman knew relations with him. Earle you have said so, and I sai is so. Evans-I did not, sir. Earle-Your own statements p!? that as the only logical inference anc is so. Governor Evans had risen, a Judge Earle turned his back on I audienoe and advanced towardjEvai Both were shaking their fingers a they did so until the index finger of t right hand of each came within a fi of the other's. Judge Earle appear more angry than I have ever seen hi His face was white, while that of Eva was red. Earle-? have the floor, sir, and ? stay here. You stand convicted your own statements. No other co struction can be put upon it. When State senator you recommended Rhin and if Tillman had known you we a friend in the sense of an attorney ! would never have appointed him. Evaus-I repeat I was not his atto ney, then. Earle-If Tillman had known he w your co-partner he never would ha\ appointed bim. Evans-He was oot my co-partoei I've said its not so. Earle-Its's the only inferenc Why was he selected by Rhind? Wi it because of his extraordin?r ability, because dr" his brilliancy at th bar ? Were there not.men sufficientl capable of doing the work io Baltimot and elsewhere ? Why was Rhind r< ?commended-a broker of no nationE I reputation, with no standing in th I great financial world ? Turning to Detective Newbold ? Judge Earle said : "As to this gentle j man, if I do him an injustice, I be? I his pardon, but it is asserted that h has been appointed to follow this cam paign around to protect Governor Ev ans " I Evans-He went around with Till 1 man. A Voice-There is no need for hin Co come here. I Just here one side of the etanc could not bear the weight of humanitj that har5 crowded upon it, went dowe with a tremendous crash. The speak? ers were on the other side and escaped, As it was going down, Governor Evans was heard denying that Newbold was here to protect him. "I don't need any one to protect me." said Evacs. Earle-And if you did, a detective would not stay-in the way. Evans-No ; if I did, I wonld be be? fore him. Karie, scornfully-Oh! you would. But ali this is child's play, gentle? men. Thero are more important sub? jects to discuss." The Judge theo dis? cussed the financial question. Before he concluded there was a diversion, General Earle having drifted to the dis? pensary question. Seeing Secretary Tompkins, he asked him if it was so. as stared by Evans at Lancaster, that the board of control has agreed on a certain policy for Evans to carry out. Col. Tompkins-? know of no such agreement. Evans-Did you not teil me you would back me up iu carrying out Till? man's policy ? Tompkins-I remember no such understanding. Evan?-Well you did (To General Eirle) is there any evidence the State lost by the board hiving no meetings ? Earle-I asked to find out what Mr. Tompkins had to say about it. I may need it and wish to ?nd out these things as I go along Mr. John T. Duncan had not the time to devote to Earle while Evans was here; he could look after Earle in Evans absence, and he bad been absent five days recently. Rhind could clear Evans by a word; but would not speak that world. Evans could insure his election by having him speak; but he would not speak. Evans says that the other members of the board of control were io concord with him, when he knows they opposed the establishment of five dispensaries in Columbia; op? posed the establishment of another dis? pensary in Spartanburg; opposed allow lowing brewers to peddle beer on the streets; and opposed aiiowiog a particu? lar brewery to have 'exclusive beer privilege. Evans whines when Earle puts Phil Gadsden on him. Now he was going to put a good Reformer oa him. DuDcan referred to Larry Gant's alleged statement that Evans had said he was going on to Balti? more to get ?15,000, his fee in the bond case. Duncan then read Gantt's letter to The State commenting upon it, io proof of Evans having talk? ed like a boy of what he was going to get out of the deal. At 5.30 the approach of a severe thunderstorm hastened the conclusion of Duncan's speech, and the meeting adjourned. The party leaves here at 5 ?a. m., for Bennettsville, going the fif? teen miles in carriages. Next day the meeting will be at Oates, in Darling? ton county, fifteen miles from Darling? ton court bouse and many, many miles j from a railroad. Is there a collusion ? with liverymen ? W. E. Gonzales. On Darlington's Soil I Judge Earle Answers the Kol lock Questions. Special to The State. DARLINGTON, July 23.-The largest ! meeting of the campaign, barring Cun? ningham's pic nie in Chester, was held at Oates' Cross Roads, 15 miles from here, to-day. There were about 90U men and 200 ladies. Oates' is in the heart of the Reform section of Darling? ton, which probably accounts for the meeting being held 15 miles from the court house. The candidates came here from Bennettsville this morning and took hacks for the meeting point. Fortunately the road was exceptionally good, and, while the candidates who straggled in here this evening are fag? ged out, no sunstrokes or other casual ties are reported. There are inconven? iences which mast be endured even in securing an audience that is composed of 99 per cent, of Reformers. There were no sensatious to-day. It was expected in Darlington this morn? ing that Col. Dargao would make it warm for General Earle at the meeting to-day, but the presence of Col. Dar? gan had an opposite effect from that in? timated. }It warmed the crowd to General Earle when they would other ? wise have been decidedly cool. Mr. Duncan made a somewhat sensa? tional statement about Governor Evans' friends having asked him to express his connection with Rbind and his refusal j to do so. This Governor Evans de? nounced as "a lie as black as hell " Governor Evans declared his intention of not again noticing Mr. Dnnean. At the request of County Chairman J. Kirven, Rev. John S. DuBose prayed for peace at this meeting and Divine blessing on all. Adjutant General Watts opened the ball. He related his connection with the reorganized militia, claiming to having prepared the new militia law and had it passed by the legislature. 1 General Richbourg had something to say about the Darlington war. He had volunteered his services to protect Gov- j ernor Tillman's life when it wt 'hreat- ! ened. He had refused to resi^j his | his office of brigadier general on the day after the riot. Jooh T. Duncan came here as man to man ; he knew this people were here to hear the truth. Senator Tillman had written him a letter complaining that he should not have use? on the stump what was said in private conver? sation. But it had not been denied that Tillman had said what he reported. Duncan said Judge Earle had lost the respect of Conservatives by his change ef politics and the Reformers had paid him enough. Then was not room for a man who took neither side. The linc in State politics had been too clear out. If Earle had not run the lines would have come together, but his can? didacy would again draw the factions apart. Ab to Evans, he had told the truth about and would continue to tell !t from day to day until thc people understood ir, if it took till thc end of the campaign. By the use of a letter written by Sena? tor Tillman when not conversant with { the facts it would be attempted to be i shown that he had misstated certain i . ? circumstances. Tillman had not been iuformed as to j the "rue conditions. This man had j gone to his bouse to try and make him believe he had ooly been employed by Rhind to get the commissions just. &9 he had been trying to make the people believe. Evans bad already changed his statements on that point since the opening of the campaign. Why did he not stick to his story ? Mr. Duncan said he would tell of a peculiar circumstance. When this bond matter was being agitated Evans7 friends in Aiken had held a consulta? tion and bad advised him, on the eve of battle, to make a clean breast of the whole thing, ?ans' reply was, "I'll be damned if I'll do it." Evans (from his seat) : "What a lie r Duncan said he could give the name of his informant-a mao who would tell the truth to any man's face, T. W. Standland. Evans : "Great God, I have not seen him." Duncan : "Stanland did not say you told him, but he got it from one of those who advised you to speak out." Evans : ''Oh, that's a third man. Bring Standland here. He's in Berke? ley. (Cheers). Duocan concluded by saying if Evans got ?15,000, when the man who did the greater part of the work in the bond deal got only ?1,000, then Evans' legitimate fee would be $500 and ali above that amount was simply robbery of the taxpayers of this State, because he could have got the refund? ing done by Rhind for just that much less. GOVERNOR EVANS. When Governor Evans was intro? duced there was the first real cheering of the campaign. It lasted half a minute. These people of the Pee Dee knew bis family, which had been here for generations, and when such men as these came along with such insinuations he felt his character was above them. This man, said Evans (pointing to Duncan) does not know the sentiments a gentleman. I went to Senator Till? man's lase week to pay my last tribute to my best friend and to try to comfort Tillman in his grief. Do you think i'd be such a brute as to mention a word of politics io that stricken home of weeping, when they were laying to rest the remains of their first born ? After this day never will I say anything to that man. B. R. Tillman convicts him. I had not attacked bim; God forbid I should make vile a-jcusatioos against any man. I would rather lose the office than descend to that Voice : "He could ouly beat you by lying." Evans: "He can't do it that way, boys, for you know a liar when you see him." (Cheers ) Governor Evans then read Senator Tillman's letter, interjecting remarks : At the conclusion of the letter Gov? ernor Evans said : There I rest my ease. If they are not satisfied they can go to eternity where all slanderers go." "As to the caucus at Aiken that was as false as hell itself. I am no man's candidate. I am your candidate. The days of bossism are over. I know what the result will be as well as I know I am standing here. (Cheers.) You are not going to change horses in the middle of the stream." Judge Earle, Governor Evan3 said, says he is neither a Reformer nor Con? servative, but a Democrat. David B. Hill said two years ago he was a Demo? crat, now he is considering whether he will vote for McKinley. If Judge Earle had gotten religion it was a little too late. What was the fight made for six years ago ? Why was the organ? ization at that time? The farmers knew there was wrong. Governor Evans dipped into finances. Free silver was opposed only in the towns, by the fellows in banks who pacr out money, and counter jumpers, who don't know as much about the ques? tion as a hog does about salvation-. They were against silver in Charleston, and the grass was growing in h(.r streets, where it would grow until that city kept in touch with the people. They don't know down there whether to vote the Republican ticket or not: But they want ofEce. JUDGE EARLE. Judge Earle knew the people of Dar? lington were fair and boDest. He did O not come here to accuse any one ; he came as a candidate for the United States senate, an office he had the right to ask for. Before General Earle had gotten fairly started in his speech Editor Kollock of the Darlington News made his way to the stand and laid on the Highest cf all in Leavening Pow I rabie io front of Judge Earle a roli of ! paper. ! * Judge Earl- : "What is this ?" j "Mr. Kollock : "Questions ? wish I you to answer. " j Judge Earl o : "Who asks them . I By whom were they inspired?" Mr. Kollock: "A gentleman, who j is out there in the crowd." j Col. John J. Dargan showed him ! self in the crowd, standing on a buggy. Judge Earle : "I thought so." There was an immediate evidence of feeling, favorable to Judge Earle. Judge Earle declared his willingness to answer any questions, and proceeded to read them seriatum. They were the same as printed the week before ic the Sumter and Darlington papers, and afterwards printed in The State iu a. card sigued by Editor Koilcck. The first was : No. 1. "Why did you, Joseph H. Earle withdraw from thc Democratic legislative ticket io Sumter, in 1878. at the darkest hour of the Hampton campaign ?" Judge Earle-That recalls a matter of which 1 am proud and ? am glad the question was asked. In those dark days every man of us favored good government. I was among the first who moved to redeem Sumter from Radical rule. I was nominated by the Democrats and afterwards Mr. James Epperson came out as an independent. He had some following and in the in? terest of the cause I wrote a letter, ask? ing that for the sake of harmony, my name be taken off and Mr. Epperson put on the ticket. After that I fought as hard for Hampton as any man. No. 'I. "Did you belive then as now in what is known as the mle of the ma? jority V Judge Earle-"Yes, I have always believed in the rule of the majority." No. 3. "Did you not, in the gallery of the house of representatives, when the Sumter delegation was turned out of the convention, advocate, in a speech to those around you, a bolt and a ticket in opposition to Tillman V Judge Earle-"I say this : When the Sumter delegation was turned out of the bouse I denounced it as wrong. I said, 'this wili come back, on you.' I was provoked as I had not been before or since. I said many things. I don't ! deny it. The delegation was fairiy j elected and Tillman bad a large ma? jority ; there was no excuse for it; But thc- aest day when ? was ap- roach I ed and asked to lead an independent j movement, I replied I did not opp-'se the ticket." Colonel Dargan attempted to a^k General Earle some questions, but Gen? eral Earle said : 4,I will answer the printed questions ; ? have no answer for anything of yours, sir. I know you." (Cheers.) Colonel Dargan-"i know you, too, , general." Earle-"Any man who attempted co stir up the negroes against the white people of this State I will have nothing todo with." Here the crowd broke loose and yelled for Earle co that the end of the sentence was not heard, ex? cept that Judge Earle suggested that he go to Edgefield. Mr. Dargan said if he were given ten minutes he would show the crowd something. After both had said they were not afraid of each ether and Judge Earle had expanded his answer he went on to the next question. . No. 4. "Why did you consent to run against Richardson in 1888 as Till? man's man, after you had denounced Tillman in Sumter for false charges against the Richardson administration of which you were a part V General Earle-"I am glad that question has been asked. That period is a part of my history of which I am proud. Richardson had canvassed the State. Two weeks before the conven? tion he said to me that he had a letter and from the reading ot the contents, be said to me : "You are the man ? have to fear." I told him to dismiss the idea, that I would not ruu, I was attorney general and had no reason to expect to run for governor. I had wanted an en? dorsement as attorney general, but de? clined to go to Columbia to work for it. That night I received a telegram from Mr. Wannamaker, ot Oraogeburg, leader of the farmers' movement, ask? ing me to become a candidate for gov? ernor, I replied that under the cir? cumstances I could not accept. ? saw Dr. Bates in Columbia the next day, and ho congratulated me. saving 'Wo are going to run you for governor.' I told him the circumstances and again said ? could not accept. Mr. James and Mr. Thomas came as a committee next day from the farmers and urged I me to run, and I told them my person? al honor and duty would compel me to decline, as I had promised Governor Continued on Next Page. -cr.-Latest U. S. Gov't Report