Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-08-21


The black race should be neither the equal
nor the superior of the white race. On the
question Of taxation for school purposes, he
said the two-mill tax is none too much for the
free schools, and in one sense no better appro-
priation could be made of the money but
in another sense, he did not approve of the
appropriation. Heidi not think the whites
should be taxed to educate the negroes. To
remedy this would not do the colored race
the slightest injury. They pay an incon-
siderable sum for educational purposes, and
in this respect the law, not the constitution,
should be changed. There should be some
way to remedy this injustice to the white
race. There were other questions on which
he said he would like to speak, but for the
present he would desist. He committed
himself into the hands of the people, and
should it be their will to send him to the
House of Representatives, he would strive
to make them faithful and acceptable rep
resentative.
The next speakers were Messrs. ]. G. Nc
Gill and G. &. Riddle, who spoke substan-
TALLY as at Rock Hill.
w. B. WILSON, JR., ESQ.,,
was next introduced. He pleasantly refer
red to the apparent disposition, as manifest
ed in this canvass, of number of his legal
brethren suddenly becoming farmers, and
pledging their devotion to the farming in
terests Of the country. He was lawyer
and had no excuses to offer on that ground.
Although q lawyer, he felt that the farm
ing interests would be safe in his hands.
., Whether in this canvass elected or not, he
S.Swill never regret having made the canvass,
!, as by so doing he has gained knowledge
of the county and formed the acquaintance
of the people which he will never regret.
He has already seen enough of the county
ed as the banner county. 1t is before the
people of one of the first counties of the
State that he presents himself as candi-
date for their Representative, and If honor
ed with their election, he will receive the
distinction with all the appreciation it de-
serves and so shape his course in the legls-
lative halls as to make himself a member
worthy of the high confidence of the people.
On all live issues you have right to know
myopinions, ifweare tojudge by the conduct
of the campaign in the other counties. On
the question of eXempting manufacturers
from taxation, which law was placed on
the statute book in 1882, and all efforts since
to repeal it having failed, he said he advo-
Gated its repeal, on the ground that it is
unconstitutional and is species OF class and
protective legislation. One argument in
favor of it's passage was that 1t would IN
duce foreign capital and increase the num-
ber of manufacturing establishments in the
State. Has it done either? Upon investi-
cation, the speaker said he ascertained that
Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas,
and perhaps other Southern States, have no
laws exempting manufacturers, and yet
either of those States has greater amount
invested in manufacturing than our own:
With this exemption our State is behind
others which have not this class legislation
on their statute books. About 81 900 900 are
exempted in this State which should yield
a revenue to the State treasury of S40,0OO.
On the question of education, he has been
told by some persons that the people of
York are opposed to higher education.
While this might be true, and he could
align himself with that class, yet he would
not, contrary to his own convictions, pander
to popular sentiment on any question OF
cation, and was in favor of the State aiding
her poor and deserving youth in securing a
higher education than that afforded by the
common schools. The sum of $500, ,0O0is srais-
ed by taxation annually in support of the
common schools, and he only regretted
that the amount for that purpose cannot be
doubled. He thought, however, that of the
State one would be sufficient. AS friend
of higher education he would favor the
maintenance of but one such institution,
for which the South Carolina College would
beamply sufficient. He touched on no other
questions, but said, as general thing, II
elected he would serve the people to the
best of his ability in all things pertaining to
the welfare of the county and the State, In
conclusion he said: make my acknoWl-
edgements and present my compliments to
the band for the excellent music they have
furnished for this meeting. Unlike my
friend Massey, cannot boast of member
ship of brass band, but for the past seven
years I, too, have devoted myself to music,
and although cannot perform upon any, in
strument, I can sing baby to sleep In less
time than any man in York county.
49, HON. JOHN c. wITHERsPooN
(. was the next and last candidate for the
House of Representatives introduced. He
went over the same ground covered by his
speech in the opening of the canvass, refer
ring to matters pertaining to the Presiden-
tial canvass, and urging upon all Democrats
to be prepared to do their duty on the day OF
the election. He referred to his record as q
member of the last Legislature, and based
his claims for reelection upon that record.
AS member he made it his infeXible rule
to keep up with the business of the House,
and to be always ready to cast his vote on
any and all questions, as he deemed for the
best interest of his people. TO some OF the
questions discussed by his fellow candidates
he briefly referred, expressing himself as
opposed to making State appropriations for
the Columbia Canal, which measure ne op-
posed in the General Assembly. He also
favored al Udlorem taxation, and said that
. all property should bear taxation in proper
ton to its value. He said, in conclusion,
that if his past course met the appreciation
of the people, it would be gratifying to him
to be returned as one of their representa-
tives.
At the conclusion of Capt. Witherspoon's
address the chairman announced that op-
portunity was extended to any OF the c0un-
ty candidates who might desire to address
the meeting.
Upon this invitation, Mr.. R. T. higgins,
candidate for county commissioner, SAID
he desired to address few words to the
crowd in reference to report which was IN
circulation that day to the effect that in
recent prosecution of Joseph Thornburg for
violating the laws of this State by illicit
sale of ardent spirits, in order to secure
this prosecution, he, the speaker, had act
ed in the capacity of a spy and lnformer,
and that he was prompted to DO SO Tor
the sake of gain. He denied the charge as
UNANIMOUSLY false, and repelling the idea
that he would act as spy and informer un-
der any circumstances, referred the people
+o b;o oun suffarino for three wears in DriS-