Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-09-09

SidiOuS movement of the Republican party,
and warned Democrats not to be led away from
their ranks by any specious arguments OF
Greenback speakers Let the full strength OF
the Democratic party be now united against
the common enemy. He then alluded TO the
prosperity of the county, visible everywhere,
and the prosperity of York, as we'll as the
general prosperity of the State, he attributed
to Democratic government. Only continual
tion of this government with wise and practl-
cal legislation, is necessary to ensure con-
tinuance of this prosperity, and to this end he
pledged his efforts, should his fellow citizens
honor him with seat in the House OF Repre-
sentatiyes.
JOHN P. GAGE, ESQ,
next addressed the crowd. Referring to his
corporeal dimensions, he humorously said it
was unfortunate that small guns should fol-
low the large artillery that had been discharg-
ed on this occasion. He thought it unnecessa-
ry to explain his position before the people as
Democrat. He had always been Democrat,
and this fact ought to imply all that is neces-
sary to prove his devotion to the welfare of the
people. He had not sought the position for
which he is a candidate, but his name had
been brought out in the papers by friends, and
he felt it his duty to respect their call. There
is no political issue on which to speak, and in
general terms he could only say, that if elect
ed to seat in the House of Representatives,
he would advocate such measures as would
advance the interests of the people of York
county. He admitted that there is a preju-
dice in the minds Of many people against law
yers, and said lie would like to relieve them
of this prejudice Lawyers represent the in
terests of the people better than any other
profession. They are dependent upon all
other professions and classes Of people, and
- lx1s.. 30 lSrfn
all classes. lie claimed to be as honest as any
other lawyer, and would promise, if elected,
to sanction the enactment of no law calculated
to encourage litigation. He conceded that
the agricultural interest is the most important
of any, and the mechanical interest is next III
Importance, but thought the fact that he is a
lawyer should be no argument againsthim. If
elected he would promise to be the earnest adj
vocate of every measure calculated to benefit
the people he would represent
w. PORTER GOOD, ESQ.,,
was next to address the crowd. He said he
waS.the third lawyer to speak to-day, and he
was glad of it, as there is said to be a charm
in the number three, and he hoped the saying
would he verified in this instance. He then
briefly reviewed the history of the different
political parties of the country since the for
nation of the Government, down to the Re-
publican party headed by the aboltionists,
whose perniciOus doctrines led to the war.
The war and it's results were next discussed
and the policy and doctrines of the two great
parties contrasted. He also characterized the
efforts of the Greenback party in the South as
a Radical subterfuge intended to disintegrate
the Democratic party. On local politics he
said he was in favor of economy in legislation
of the State government, but opposed to false
economy. If legislation is worth doing at all,
it is worth doing well. If elected he would
promise to do all in his power to secure the
enactment of good laws. Hasty legislation
has cost our people thousands Of dollars. He
would make no special accusations, but at
tributed blunders to sense of false economy
in Fastening with business. He opposed pla-
cling in the constitution any article limiting
the expenses of the State government. This
position was not in animOSity to a speaker
who had preceded him, but he thought such
action would be impracticable, as the expenses
of the State government must necessarily in
crease with increase Of population. He said
the agricultural interest is above all others in
Importance, and while it would be his desire
to promote it, he would neglect no other. He
advocated the appointment Of an immigration
agent for the State, and thought we should
adopt other measures to induce immigration.
Were all our agricultural, mineral, mechani-
cal and manufacturing resources developed,
we would be in advance of any other State.
In conclusion, he said, if elected, he would
represent not Yorkville nor the middle tier of
the county, but the entire county, advocating
only such measures as he might conceive to
be for the benefit of his county and State.
The chairman next introduced
DIR. JOHN G. BLACK,
who said appear before you as candidate
for seat in the lower House. [ deem it un-
necessary to attempt to make long speech.
Besides, at the present time I can see no is
sues involved in the present campaign. The
candidates now before you appear some
what upon their personal merits-like the
animals in stock show. We trot them all
out and then see which is entitled to the pre-
MUM. occupy the happy position of being
both farmer and votary Of one Of the pro-
fessions- of physician. I was raised
on a farm but have no fight to make for
the lawyers Whether the lawyer is the best
man to legislate is not for me to say. I do
say, however, that the farmers ought to pre-
ponderate in the Legislature. Numerically
they outnumber all trades or professions they
pay more taxes, and they contribute more
largely to the general welfare and prosperity.
of the country. But I would create no feel
ing on this subject. Because man is far
mer, that alone should not be the test. 1t is
as important now as it was in 1876 that we be
united. There are many disturbing elements
in the land. It is important that you select
your best men to represent you in the council
chamber. Let there be no dissensions in the
party. While it is difficult, in the absence of
issues, for candidate to say what he would
or would not do if in the Legislature, can
here say that am opposed to the appropria-
tion of the peoples money to so-called internal
improvements which measures are generally
worked through by lobbyists or others inter-
ested for their own private gain. The people
must convince legislators that they do not
send them to the capital for that purpose. 1
am opposed, for instance, to the making of an
appropriation Of $15, 900 for digging a canal
around Charleston when she had a good har-
Dor. I am also an advocate of economy in
the management of county affairs. I can see
no need of county auditor and county
treasurer as two separate officers. The work
of both could be performed by one officer.
must also say that I regard the lien law as
being detrimental to the prosperity of the peO-
ple-especially the laboring people-and the
sooner it is repealed the better it will be for
that class 1t offers an inducement to them
to contract Indebtedness, frequently for ar
ticles they do not need, and for which they
have to deliver their crop as soon as gathered,
leaving them nothing with which to begin the
next year. am opposed to long speeches and
in favor of economy and retrenchment, to the
end that the peoples money shall not be spent
unnecessarily. Briefly to state my views: if
you elect me, 1 will do all can to make you
not ashamed of me. -
MR.. B: II. MASSEY
was next introduced. He said he is far
mer and had but little to say, not being pub
lie speaker During the last four years he
had had the honor to represent the people of
York in the Legislature. During his legisla-
tive service he had done but little speech