The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-09-06
A Letter from Hon. j. A. Sigh.


To the People of Newberry County:
4 great many of my supporters in the
recent Primary Election expected and
even demanded ME to contest said
election.
Now, since the time has elapsed for
making such contest before the EXecu-
tive Committee, they demand OF me
that shall, in justice to myself and
them, state my reasons for not appealing
to said committee.
fully realize that the opportunity
before me for doing good to the whole
County is a grand one, but / also re-
alize that the responsibility resting
upon me is indeed great.
In short time l will give the reasons
why l did not refer this whole matter
to the Executive Committee for its de-
cision, and will also give my views on
the whole matter.
Irregularities Of the grosscst kind
have been committed, and the Demo-
cratic party cannot remain still and
allow fraud and corruption so glaring
to 90 unrebuked. There may have been
some Irregularities, some instances of
fraud, committed by my friends, but do
not know nor have I heard of a single
instance. l know instances in which
my friends discouraged the use ofWhis-
key and money in buying votes, as
we'll as voting negroes, non-residents
and minors. If there are such cases of
fraud On our side, / for one say let them
be shown up. The party, the friends
of good government, cannot wink at
such, but should openly stamp their
disapproval upon all such methods of
carrying an election within the Demo
cratic party. A contest between brother
Democrats should not be carried on by
the use of whiskey, illegal and fraudu-
lent votes and by voters in a beastlv
state OF intoXication.
l am glad to give it as my opinion
that but comparatively few Democrats
Of the county We're guilty Of such cut
rageous acts on the day of election, and
that the sober, good and patriotic peo-
pie on both sides disapprove Of such
conduct.
My appeal, therefore, shall be made
to the people, and the protest that /
shall offer in behalf of honest elections
shall come before them; for they are
generally right in such matters.
I with many others, firmly believe
that, according to the righteous verdict
of the people, the legal and qualified
voters of the county, have been nom
mated for the Senate, and this too after
a heated contest in which every ad-
vantage was taken of ME by false re-
ports, by intimidating voters, by de-
nying ME in an indirect way the priTil-
eye of speaking to many Of the people
of the county, and by every false pre-
tense that could be practiced. Indeed
the treatment / received from those
who were determined at all hazards to
defeat me was the treatment at one
time given to the radical and corrupt
leaders of the Republican party.
The true, honest, decent and re-
spectacle Democrats of the county
should not and will not countepance
such conduct towards any respectable
brother Democrat and allow the dis
memberment of the party for the graft
fcation of a few men.
l want it distinctly understood that
I am not contending for the nomination
which the Executive Committee in the
absence of any protest has seen fit to
give to Mr.. Pope. That which [ and
others wish to accomplish is the puri-
fication of our county politics and the
purgation of the party from political
corruption and fraud.
Having received 926 of the 1887 votes
cast for Senator, I have nothing to be