Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-09-09
BEFORE THE PEOPLE.
DEMOCRATIC SPEAKING.

Democratic candidates before the primary elec-
tion will have opportunityto to address their fel-
low-citizens in different parts of the county,
before the balloting on the 10th. The first ap-
pointment for public speaking was at Hickory
Grove, last Saturday, where number of the
candidates were met by the voters of that Sec
tiOn.
The meeting was called to order by request
ing that Mr.. J. w. Leech take the chair, and
on doing so, he stated that he had been request
ed by the chairman of the club to explain the
absence of Mr.. Witherspoon, candidate for the
Senate, who had expected to meet the people
on this occasion, but was denied that pleasure
on account of business engagements which de-
tanned him at his home. He then introduced
W. B. M'CAw, ESQ,
candidate for Probate Judge. Mr.. McCaw
contrasted the present state of affairs with
the days of Radical rule in South Carolina,
depicting the prosperity of the State since the
accession of the Democratic party i'll 1876,
and urged the Importance of electing none
but Democrats to office. By the Democratic
standard he hoped to be judged. eregretted
that his competitor, Mr.. j. A. Mclean, was
not present. He had invited Nh. Mclean to
meet him OH the stump, but Mclean declined
the invitation, hoping, by staggering speech,
instead of open discussion, to be successful
He then charged that in 1872 J. Hannibal
White, the cOlored Senator from York, was
authorized by j. "A. Mclean to say that he
was in full accord with the Republican party.
From this act, in 1874 he was an avowed Re-
publican. In 1876, when interrogated by a
committee Of the Democratic convention as
to his political sentiments, Col. Mclean an
swered evasively, saying he had not been Of
fered the nomination by any other party,
thus taking his seat OH the fence. This was
in an hour of peril, demanding men of estab-
lished principles. Mr.. McCaw then alluded
to independentism and hoped, should such a
movement be made in the approaching cam
paign, that the people would throttle it.
candidates for the House of Representatives
were introduced in the following order:
MR.. w. II. STEWART.
MI Stewart said he comes before the people
as a farmer, and should he receive a nomina-
tatives, he will do all in his power to advance
the agricultural interest of the county, though
he did not wish to be understood as al advo-
cate of class legislation. While no interest
should suffer in his hands, he took the ground
that upon the success of the agricultural in
terest depends the happiness and prosperity
of the State, and to all that will advance this
interest, legislation should he directed. He
took the ground that there are too many pub
lie offices, and thought the offices of county
auditor and county treasurer could be consoli-
dated and the duties of these officers be per-
formed by one man at all expense OF two
thirds of what they now cost the people. He
also advocated a reduction of taxation, and
as one means to secure that end, expressed a
preference for biennial sessions of the General
Assembly. He advocated the primary elec-
tion, and desired to see the success of the plan,
and this success depended much upon the
people, whose duty it is to turn out and vote
for the men of their choice. 1t is also the
duty of the candidates to abide the decision
to be made on the 10Th, and for one, he pledged
himself to do so. He then alluded to the
movements of the Greenback party in some
portions of the State and in this county, dep
recating their efforts as antagonistic to the
success Of the Democratic party He review
ed the prosperity Of the State under Demo-
cratic government, and thought the success OF
the party in 1876 was due, more than to any
other cause, to the spontaneous rising OF the
people-the men as we'll as the noble women
of the State-in the life struggle to free them
selves from political thraldom. He then dis
cussed national issues, urging the Importance
of South Carolina-upOn which State the re-
suit might hinge-doing her whole duty for
Hancock, the statesman and soldier.
MAI. JAMES F. HART
was next introduced. He referred with pleas
ure to having met the people OF Hickory
Grove-a people of whom he was prOud-fOr
the purpose of discussing political subjects in
the memorable campaign of 1876, in which
election their votes contributed to the success
of the Democratic party. While he had spoken
here in behalf of others, this was the first time
he had approached those present in behalf OF
himself. Since the adoption of the primary
plan his name had been proposed for the House
of Representatives, and after having decided
to come before the people, should he be elected
he should deem it high compliment. In the
event of that selection you have right to
know my political record. That is before you,
and upon it 1 am willing to stand before the
people of York and South Carolina forever.
He opposed much legislation. At most, legis-
lation is but experimental, and bad laws are
better than continual change in enacting in
different laws. Although a violent presump-
ton, yet every person is presumed to know
the law, and with constant changing none can
he expected to keep up with them. But the
theory of government being admitted that all
are presumed to know the law, changes should
be made as seldom as possible. He thought,
as one cause of too much law making, desire
on the part of young members to signalize
themselves by introducing bills. The intro
ductiOn of from 500 to 1900 new bills renders
necessary d lengthy session involving much
time and great expense to examine them all,
and too frequently result in the enactment OF
bad laws. In this respect, should he be elect
oil bo ,,rOnocp6 tn maintain q conservatism
and when, in his judgment, not absolutely
necessary, he would labor to prevent new laws
going upon the Statute book. He approved
the homestead law, which he said was the
best the Radicals had ever made, and favored
it's perpetuation. Since it's adoption there
has been a decline in the depopulation of South
Carolina. He said that all taxes ought to be
collected for specific objects, and the power
of the Legislature to appropriate money for
any other purpose except that for which
the tax is levied should be withheld. Then
it would matter little which party is in
power; thieving would be prevented. In this
particular only, he thought the constitution
required amending. He opposed all class leg
islation, and said we should stand Oh the
platform of 1876. Every citizen should be
protected in his rights. We are in a numerl-
cal minority, and for that reason, if no other,
SnOllu give ASSURANCE VI Vic SleaIeeC PioIoo-
tion to every citizen. The relations between
landlord and tenant should be so adjusted as
to admit of as little litigation as possible. lie
said the State penitentiary should be self
supporting, and in preference to hiring out
convicts to railroads, he would, under proper
regulations, put them to repairing the public
roads and highways, but to perform this labor
without an increase of taxation. He then
closed by referring to a probable contest that
might ensue between the parties in this State,
urging the Democracy to do their whole duty.
The chairman then introduced
CAPT. IREDELL JONES.
Capt. Jones alluded to the fact that while