Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-09-30
The Murkrille Guqnirer.
YORKVILLE, S. c.:
THURSDAY MORNING, SEPT. 80. 1880.
THE MEETING LAST MONDAY.

they have met with in most of the counties in
which they have spoken. The small atten-
dance, however, is not attributable to apathy
OH the part of the Democracy of York county,
nor want of proper appreciation OF the dlstln-
guished speakers who were here on Monday.
The farmers are now in the midst of the busy
season, when every hour demands their atten-
tion on their farms, and in addition to this they
have just emerged from primary canvass to
which their time and attention were more or
less drawn. Just on the eve of the centennial
celebration at Kings Mountain, too, to which
nearly everybody in the county will devote
next week, and in the absence of any engross-
ing or exciting political questions, it is not
surprising that the attendance was no larger.
Gen. Hagood, the distinguished and patriotic
standard-bearer of the Democratic party in
South Carolina, may rest assured that II the
people of York did not meet him en- maSse
on Monday, they will not forget him and
the principles he upholds at the ballOt-bOx on
the End of November next.
At II O'Clock the horsemen who had assem-
bled, dressed in the typical red shirt, and pre-
ceded by the Yorkville Cornet Band, marched
through the streets under direction of Mr.. w.
n. Elder and Capt E. A. Crawford, who acted
as Marshals of the day. Arriving in front OF
the Court House, the procession moved into the
yard, where a stand had been erected, and
after prayer by Rev. r. +. Taylor,
l. d. wITHERsPooN, ESQ,
County Chairman, briefly addressed the meet
ing, expressing his regret at the small atten-
tendance, which he said was due to peculiar
causes, among them the fact that for months
past our people have been making preparations
for the centennial celebration at Kings Noun
tain, which was intended to be on a grand
scale, and as their time had been occupied IN
efforts to make that enterprise success, to
which they would devote four days of next
week, it was not surprising, though fact to be
regretted, that so few were present. He then
introduced the Democratic nominee for Gov
ernOr,
GEN. JOHNSON HAGOOD.
Gen. Hagood said he addressed his fellow
citizens Of York as the Democratic nominee
for the office of Governor. Having been con-
nected with the State Government since the
Democratic party had obtained control in
1876, he felt that the people had a right to de-
mand of him, as was their right to do OF all
public officials, at stated times, an account Of
his stewardship as their public servant.
Four years ago, the white people Of South
Carolina, aided by few thousand colored al
lies, reobtained possession of their own State
government and have held it ever since. Their
administration of it's affairs is before the peo-
pie, and while, in Convention during the past
summer, the Republican party did not demand
that the Government should be restored to
them, nor could they bring charges of corrup-
tion or dishonesty, it is evident that they are
not idle, though in most Of the counties they
have shown no signs of prosecuting State
canvass during the present campaign. In the
Congressional Districts they have candidates
for Congress- and will have in the field an elec-
toral ticket for President, and while making no
further demonstration at present, it may prove
deep and profound strategy or the reason
why they made no State nominations may be
because they could not agree in the Conven-
ton. Though they failed to make nomina-
tiions, he had no doubt but the matter had
been left in the hands of the Executive Com
mittee, who will quickly enough agree upon
ticket, if from any cause they should see
chance of success. The perfect organization
maintained by that party in the past is but
too well known to all. Their party discipline
is as good to-day as it has been in the past,
and the rank and file will vote the printed
ticket furnished if it reaches them but four
days, or one day before the election. They
may not be fully organized to-day, for State
canvass, but as they have Presidential tick
ct in the field, and will probably vote their
full strength, should State ticket be furnish
ed them, while we are at home harvesting our
crops, neglectng to give the matter that at
tention it's Importance deserves, the names
thus put on the Republican ticket may be our
officers for the next two years. Are you will
ing, by Supiness and apathy, to run the risk
of again incurring the evils from which you
escaped only four years ago? l fully apprecl-
ate all that the chairman has said in regard
to the approaching centennial and the harvest
ing of the crops. There is no section of the
State more industrious or prosperous than
York county; but there is another reason
why the people of this noble county should
take deep interest in the approaching election,
and that is to secure the election, OF the Dem
ocratic nominee for President. For the pros
perity of the State, the success of the PreSlden-
tial ticket is as essential rs the success of the
State ticket. In our own State during the days
of Radicalism we learned by sad experience the
Importance of Home Rule, and what the bless
ingS of that rule are to the State, so would be
the success of the National Democratic party to
the entire people of the South. We are now
trying to retain Home State rule On that
So long rs the Republican party control the
National Government, we of South Carolina
are on the skirmiSh line
Gen. IIagood then briefly reviewed the ad-
ministration of TIE State government since the
accession of the Democratic party, and COLI
traSted Democratic economy with Radical eX-
travagance and corruption. He claimed that
if the money squandered by the riOting of these
prodigals and brigands were now in the treas
ury, under the present economic expenditure
of public money, it would be sufficient to meet
the expenses of the State government for four
years, without the necessity of levying cent
of taxation. He explained that wherein some
portions of the State levy seem in excess of the
levy for State purposes before the war, is
the fact that now State levy is made for the
expenses of penitentiary convicts, who, pre-
vouS to the establishment of that institution,
were supported in the county jails by county
taxation. While in the end the expense is no
greater, yet this item alone increases the State
levy. though it comes off the county levy. The
convicts in the penitentiary render necessary
a State levy averaging $3.50 to each county.
The inmates of the State charitable institu-
tions are now mainly supported by public tax
alton. In 1858 there were but few white in
mates of these institutions who were on charlty,
while all the colored inmates were paid Tor by
their owners. Now all colOred inmates, and
nearly all the white are tax to the State.
The school fund, too, had increased taxation.
But for this increase the Democratic party
has no apology to make the people by their
own votes are responsible, and not the Demo-
cratic party as party. From this latter ex-
prnditure however he felt sure the people
would reap an abundant harvest.
He claimed that under Democratic rule the
cOlored people of the State have been deprived