The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-12-17
From the Charleston World. ]
Senator J. L. NJ. Irbv.

Col. John Laurens Manning 1rby was
born in Laurens county at Laurens e. H.,
in the wear 1855. His father was Col James
H. Irby, who was distinguished lawyer
and politician, as we'll as q large and sue
cessful planter His mother was g grand
daughter of Dr. Earle, of Greenville conn-
tv. There are few men in South Carolina
who can boast of a family ancestry more
honored than Col Irby His grandfather
was an fficer in the American revolution,
and was among the noble band Of patriots
who were massacred at Hayes station.
Col Irly received the rudimehts of his
education at Laurens c. H., and afterwards
attended the Virginia University and Prince
ton College he studied law under ASsoci-
ate Justice McIver at Cheraw, practiced his
profession for While at Laureus, G. H.,
and abandoned it to engage in the pursuit
Of agriculture, i'll which occupation he has
proved q grand success, rs lie is one Of the
most progressive and prosperous farmers in
his county. He lives on his model planta-
ton, which is governed and controlled un-
der his own personal supervision.
He has been q member of the State Leg
isla,ure since 1856, at which fine be entered
actively into politics to the extent of arous-
ing the people from their lethargy to united
action for the restoration of the State be
loved so well. Col. Irby is a fearless advo-
cate and an uncompromising champion OF
the peoples rights, quick perception, and
in action prompt and decisive He pos
sesses broad and liberal views, and Is strong
in his convictions of what is right, and has
the manly courage to contend for them. He
despiseS the cringing cowardice and the
dictates of political Bosses His manly
courage, independent and answering de-
votion to the best interests of the people
have won their esteem and admiration, and
placed him in the front ranks among the
reform leaders of the State
# it were necessary to say more concern
ing him. it could be couched in a word; he
is the prototype Of true manhood.
During the recent political campaign Col
Irby took a foremost part in the Reform
movement. His great political sagacity
readily suggested him as leader, and he
was not only made chairman OF the Reform
executive committee, but as soon as the
Democratic convention endorsed the princi-
pies of the Reform element of the party Irbv
was made chairman of the State Democratic
executive committee.
Inc great pOIlllcal acQMen SHOWN Dy nlm
during this campaign stamped him as .
leader of the first order. and thereafter his
political star began to rapidly rise.
When the legislature met Col. Irby, al
most with one accord. was elected speaker,
and his friends and political foes alike bear
testimony to the fact that no speaker before
him has ever conducted the business of the
house with more fairness and more eXpedi-
ton.
1t was only after his election as speaker
that he became prominent by being men
toned in connection with the United States
senatorship. Being Young, energetic, and
working member of the reform movement,
Col. Irby's candidacy early met with enthu-
siastic approval on the part of the legisla-
ture. Other gentlemen, representing the
same ideas as advocated by Col. Iroy, di-
vided the vote with HIM on several ballots,
but there had hardly been a doubt from
the beginning Of the contest, that Col. Irby
would be our next United States senator,
as the vote of the two houses finally de-
cided.