Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-09-07
County golitif5.
THE PRIMARY CANVASS.
THE DEMOCRATIC SPEAKING At HICKORY
GROVE PRECINCT.

GROVE PRECINCT.
The canvass by the Democratic candidates
before the primary election Of York county
was formally opened at Hickory Grove on
Thursday last, that being the first appoint
ment for public speaking made by the county
were not present, a fact to be regretted, mas
much as the occasion was the opening Of the
campaign. Those who attended the appoint
ment, however, were met by respectable as
semblage of the sturdy sons of Western York,
and more quiet and orderly political gather
ing we have never before witnessed. Prompt
ly at o'clock, P M-the hour appointed by
the county chairman-the meeting was called
to order by j. G. Chambers, Precinct Chair
man, who explained the object of the meeting
as being for the purpose of hearing the candi
dates before the Democratic primary election,
and he hoped all present would give the candi-
dates a considerate hearing. He then intro
duced as the first speaker,
HON. b. II. MASSEY,
a candidate for reelection to the House of
Representatives. Mr. Massey said we had met
for the purpose of opening the campaign, and
though the assemblage was small as to num-
bers, he hoped it was large in patriotism. To-
day the State canvass opens at Anderson, and
if the Democratic party of York county proves
true to itself, the wisdom of the State COnven-
tion in placing before the people the ticket
they adopted, will be- endorsed III November
next; and if the people of York, in the pri-
mary election, are as successful in the selec-
tion of satisfactory ticket, rs was the State
Convention, see no reason now why we may
not carry the county. But to do this, we
must stand united. We must avoid Green
backers Independents, Republicans and sore
heads, and work ultimately for the success of
the Democratic ticket, remembering for our
watchword that this is a white mans coun-
try, and by the help of God we intend to
rule it.
In giving you an account of my public acts
as your representative, would say in the first
place, that on all occasions, have invariably
favored honest, economical government, and
as one means of securing this end have opposed
an increase of public offices. Among the new
offices created, and which Ihave invariably OPP
posed, are those of railroad commissioner and
commissioner of immigratiOn--two offices
which l regard as superf1uous, entalllng upon
the Taxpayers heavy expense with no good
results and in my judgment both should lie
abolished. / was also opposed to making ap-
preparations for the Citadel Academy and the
State University. I opposed these appropria-
tions on the same ground of all useless apprO-
priations, and because, though the amounts
now appropriated for these institutions are
comparatively small, yet it opens the way to
ask for more 1t required $37, 800 per annum
to carry on the State University before the
war, and that amount, or something approxi-
mating it, will be required hereafter. l also
opposed the appropriation of Sl2 900 for mill
tary purposes, as uSeesS-an appropriation for
which there was no sort of use, and which
could accomplish nothing in the way of in
creasing the efficiency of the State militia. In
this respect was not disappointed, as l learn
that when the adjutant and inspector-general
divided out this sum, Y York county actually re-
ceived three dollars and eighty cents as her
quota for each man in her State volunteer
companies.
l also opposed the registration law pending
it's discussion in the Legislature. | could
not see how the upper part of the State could
be benefited by such law, and opposed 1t as
an unnecessary measure so far as our people are
concerned But those of the counties in the
lower part of the State urged it as political
necessity, and as yon know, the law was final
ly passed. And it now being the law, would
ter. 1t was claimed for the measure that
it was intended for the benefit of the Demo-
cratic party, and hope none-however much
they may disapprove twill fail to register
thereby depriving themselves of the privilege
of voting in the next election.
The lien law is another question that comes
before the people. have always regarded
this as u bad law for farmers; yet as they
have been conducting their operations under
it since 1867, and as it seemed to be he
cessity with many Of them, | have always
voted against it's repeal. But with the good
crops of the present year, l do not see but the
it, and if they could so make their arrange
ments as to carry OH their farms without the
aid of this law, think it would be better for
them. But this l regard as a question for
the farmers to determine for themselves. 1t
is for you to instruct your representatives
whether or not you want this law /; and if you
want it, say so.
AS to the proposed constitutional amend
ment for reducing the area of counties, such
proposition has. been submitted to the voters
of the State, and in casting your sutfrageS in
the next election it is for you to say whether
you will accept or reject the proposition. II
you desire the adoption of the amendment,
you will vote on it, Yes; or if you would re-
ject the amendment, you will vote No. 1t is
a matter for the people to determine. 1t is
premature for candidates to speak on the ques-
ton now. Should it fail of adoption by the
popular vote, or should an affirmative vote fail
of adoption by the General Assembly, there is
no use for us now to discuss the question of
forming new counties. Some of people, on
the eastern side of the county, would like to
have a new county with Fort Mill or Rock
Hill as the county-seat ; but am satisfied that
neither of these towns could obtain the re-
uuired amount of territory and even if the
required territory could be had with either of
these towns as the county-seat, the county,
80 formed, would have a Republican majority,
and for that reason | do not think we Of the
eastern side would agitate the subject.
Mr. Massey then alluded to the fact that he
is chairman of the Penitentiary Board, the
duties of which require much of his time. lie
cOntrasted the operations of that Institution
as at present conducted, and when the State
was under Radical rule. Then it required a
heavy appropriation to sustain it; now it is
measurably self-supporting, and were it not
for expenses incurred by the Improvement of
the Columbia Canal, would have netted this
year S60. 900, instead of being burden to the
State, as formerly.
He closed by referring to his legislative
record and the fact that he had been elected
three times to represent the people of York,
and if they should honor him with another
election, he would feel grateful, and, as in the
past, strive to serve them-and especially the
farmers-n all measures calculated to promote
their best interests.
COL. w. i. WILSON
was the next speaker introduced. He said:
| ain here as candidate, somewhat unexpec-
tedly. Only the day before yesterday re-
ceiyed q nutlic call from my fellow citizens to