The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-09-21
The Congressional Candidates.

met the voters Of Ahbeyille County
face to face on last Saturday. The turn
out was q good one and Il respectful
hearing was given tile speakers. The
speaking took place in the Court House,
and the meeting was presided over by
Hon. w. C. Bcnet, County Chairman.
Col. r. w. Simpson of Anderson, was
the first speaker, and in introducing him,
Mr.. Bcnet asked the assembled audience
to give him a patient hearing. That
these gentlemen had been invited here
to discuss the interests, not alone Of Alb
beyille County, but Of the Third Con-
gressional district. This was one Of the
fruits Of the primary election, and the
people had the right to hear the differ
crt measures discussed.
He stated that two OF the candidates
were unavohlabiy absent. Judge Cot
ran was holding court in the Fourth Ju-
dicial District and Col. Johnstonc had
been called 80 Ncwberry by ,elegrams
on important business.
Col. Simpson was then introduced as
a candidate from Il neishborins county
whose father before him had held the
high position, to which he now aspircf,
and as a gentleman who had won the
confidence Of his native county.
Col. Simpson started off by saying
that it was with great difiidence that he
s,r,aorol i,rn,.n an 4 h1,yil1, ,,I;o,,
to solicit their suilrages for Representa-
tive in Congress. for he was mindful of
the high character and distinguished
merit of the honorable gentleman who
had been named for tho position from
this County. He, however, had %rccciv-
cd the endorsement Of his own county,
and he felt that he would be untrue to
himself and his county. did he Gail to
respond to their call. He proposed very
briefly to discuss what were considered
the live issues in this campaign. One of
the most important issues in this CAM
paign was what was known as the Civil
Service Reform. That plank had been
placed in the Democratic platform. n
tional and State. and he would have To
SIdiu VII u. MS ttliiNlIitIi Ocllpt, 40 W
ever, was that under IL Democratic adj
ministration, the Offices should be filled
by those who were in accord with Der. /.
ocratic principles.
With regard to the tariff he sail that
the issue was rs Old us Tie nelnucr.tic
party itself. His iirs, rpncm brancc of
this subject vas Incorporated in the
platform in these words ~ tariff for
,,1 ~, a. s. ,, f>,. .u, .1.r ~,
was the principle upon which, he now
stood, and Was absolutely opposed to
any measure that would Dcrr.i, the few
and Cypress the many. 1t was not dem.
socratic. The Tariff should hc reformed
with prudence aud sagar!:y. and tie
strengthening Of the Democratic part;
should bc considered in It's reformation.
The "Hlair Educational Rill' was next
discussed by the speaker, a;id n. cx-
!. pressed himself as being in favor Of this
measure provided it came to us uaIram-
clled with any conditions. To accept i,
otherwise would announ to no more
thnn selling for a few millions. what thu,
whole force OF the Fcdc,al army could
not wrest from us-our State sovereign
ty.
The Silver Question was AN Important
7 lAS "'S III OlAtuS COlnnnvE
of silver, but thought i, should be done
in such a way as not to affect the valur
of our currency.
These were the Important measures,
but in his Wow there were other evils
to be corrected. Governor Hampton
had struck tho key note Of the SITUATION
when he said that the hard times and
the feeling Of unrest nongst the labor
ing classes was due to unjust legislation.
National and State, and to the reckless
expenditure of the peoples money.
He thought that the government
should prohibit the dealing in futures
and attributed to this iniquitous practice
much Of Il depression.
Some measures should be passed for
y tho benefit Of the luboring classes. for
the Government can build us up or tear
us down.
He thought the undue influence of
foreign governments should, be guarded
against and was opposed to; the enor-
nous collection Of taxes merely to put
it in the Treasury.
He thanked the audience for their at-
%tention and promised to serve them TO
the best OF his ability if called upon to
do SO.
Mr.. Benet then introduced Col. James
n. Lap-comb as the 'Oid War Horse"
and State cainpaigner.
Speech OF .1r. %Lipsconb.
Mr.. Lipscomb in behalf of himself
and his friend who had just preceded
him thanked the Chairman for the kind
manner in which he had introduced
them to the audience. He felt, however,
~ a. -