The news and herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1876-1881, 1879-07-02

What tho People arc Doing and How tho
Candidates VIII Run.

opened in Charleston. Three candi-
dates arc mentioned prominently thus
far, Capt. w. u. Courtcnay, Mayor
". w. Sale and Col. WI. Gaycr.
The friends Of the first named gentle
man opened the ball by organizing a
Courtcnay Campaign Club, with Mr..
y. w. Barnwell as president, and Il
number of vicc-prcsidcn,s and other
officers embracing some of the best
men all classes in the city. The ad-
hcrcnts Of Col. Gaycr also held amcct-
ing few evenings ago to organize in
his behalf. Colonel Gaycr made an
address, in the course of which he
said:
81 am nominated here tonight as
the peoples Democratic candidate, to
DC run within, and not without, the
Democratic fold. Now whilst i'll
tend to submit myscifto all the reason
able demands and commands Of Il
Democratic candidacy, am free to
tell You that am entirely opposed to
so-callcd conventional nominations as
we have known them, primaries even
as they arc generally managed, for the
one simple yet good reason, that they
are never and will never be u free cX-
preston Of public opinion nor Of the
best intercst, and wants OF thc people.
Their" is II wise and right course to
pursue even in the most trying cXiwcn-
cics. Let us discover that and adopt
it. | am, in ether words, much in
favor, as believe are all the majority of
my fellow citizens, Of the old time way
OF nominating men for otlicc-namc
your candidates and elect them in Il
fair and honest way. am, gentle
men, strictly ofthc Hampton school
I,r a -.
nounccd in its doctrines for me, and
its platform is wise, broad and liberal
enough for us all to accept. hold
that every citizen can come together
under that platform, and there arc no
issues which need separate us at this
time or. disturb us us Il community.
No man is apt to be nominated by any
portion Of the Democrats of Charles
ton who is not or may not be known
to the people, and whose fitness and
capacity for the responsible position of
Mayor may not be fully callvasscd be-
fore the election rolls arou:.l.
For my own part prefer an open
nomination by the people: in other
words, TO be nominated as am to-
night, by Democrats Of Charleston, as
II Democrat, and in this way to obtain
in broad daylight, without connivancc,
bargains, plcds oroth wise, all votes,
Democratic or Republican. that will
trustingly come to me upon the
ground that they believe that | will
make good Mayor for the CITY Of
Charleston, fair to each and all alike,
OF her interests and her people,
Among the other speakers prcscut
was Mr.. ". Barker Jones, Chairman of
tho City Democratic Executive, Con-
mittcc, who was reported as plcdging
himself to do all in his power to Sc
cure Colonel Gaycr's election. In Il
card tho next day Mr.. Jones denied
plcdging himself, or expressing Il
preference for any one. His card con-
cludcs as follows:
"ArriVing at tho meeting late, did
not hear the speech Of Colonel Gaycr,
and, therefore, did not know at that
tinlc-as | know now-thc platform
upon which he intended to conduct the
campaign.
cannot, ana will not, support any
candidate not nominated by the
Democratic party, either at II convcll-
tion or a primary of the Democratic
party, Gone Of which plans Of making
nominations will be determined by the
voice or the party at n primary to be
called by the Democratic Executive
Committee later on.) All candidates
before the Democratic party for the
Mayorally should avow their dctcrmi-
mination, in running before this party.
to abide !hc result Of the ballot when
the party shall enter into nominations,
and not to serve upon any other ticket
ifnominatcd or elected.
l shall not and do not propose to
lend my influence to any candidate
that does not come out "olliciullv';
stating that he will act in good faith
by the party.
Only such, and none others, need
apply"
Captain Courtenay has published the
following card:
TO The Editor$ ofthc .Netcs ond
Courier: T have read the open let
ter addressed to the three candidates
for Mayor, and, in order to make my
position unmistakablc, answer the
questions Of "Many Democrats" as
follows:
l I am a candidate for Mayor. at the
urgent solicitation of my friends, but
subject always to the action and choice
OF The Democratic party.
2 | will not allow my name TO be
used and | will refuse to serve ifclcct-
ca by any other combination. This
iswlmt | have said from the begin
ming, as my friends are aware.
am as little disposed as any one to
follow blindly the action Of any po}lti-
cal organization, but at this juncture,
with the State election Of 1880 in full
view, when the contest Of 1876 between
intelligence and ignorance, civilization
and barbarism may have to be fought
over again, / am ready, as must be
every good citizen, to make any sacri-
ticc to ensure tho unity and strength of
that party which gave lis tho blessings
we now enjoy, and by which party
alone these blessings can be maintain
cd and insured"
Respectfully,
WM. a. CouKrENAY.