The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1890-09-04
Col. Johnstone Our Next Congressman.
BELroN, Sept. Q. 1885,

bELToN, 0ePG' z, 1oSu.
The Congressional contest in the Third
District was happily settled here this
afternoon, when Col. George Johnstone,
of Newberry, was declared to be the regu-
lar nominee of the Democratic party.
A quorum of the Congressional Execu-
tive Committee was secured this morning,
every County Chairman being present,
except Mr.. Sligh, Of New wberry, who was
represented by the acting Chairman OF
that County, J. w. Reagin.
The Committee was called to order, and
the total vote of the District announced as
follows: Johnstone, 5551; Norris, $500.
A protest against the returns from Pelzer,
signed by five Norris men, WAS presented
to the Committee. This was somewhat
indefinite, the grounds of contest being
that voting was allowed at Pelzer after
the time for closing the polls had arrived,
and that negroes were allowed to vote
"contrary to the rules and the Constitu-
ton of the Democratic party" Col. Nor
ris arose and said be declined to push the
contest, whereupon Col. Johnstone was
declared to be the nominee by majority
of % votes. This result was eagerly
waited for by large number Of the
friends, including the attorneys of both
candidates.
A speech from the successful aspirant
being demanded, Col, Johnstone and a
large crowd of admirers and other specta-
tors gathered in front of the hotel, from
whose piazza cur next Congressman spoke
briefly, but in a manner that highly
pleased most of his hearers. he said that
his election was triumph over no man
or faction, but simply the expression
of majority of the Democratic voters of
the Third District. He referred to the
agricultural uprising, and said that no
man in Congress would go further to
serve that element than he would, nor
would any be found who would strive
harder to grant them any possible relief.
He said that the canvass judi concluded
had been, so far as the candidates were
concerned, free from personal reflections
upon each other, and characterized the
conduct of Col. Norris in the settlement
of the question as being discreet and digni-
fed. at the same time that he himself
considered it just.
''The Democratic party said Col.
Johnstone, mot only does, bat must con-
troll this State We must control it or
move out ofit, and move out we cannot
and would not" He predicted that a
Republican candidate would be put out
simply to stir up an additional excuse for
Republicans to pass the temporarily
abandoned force bill. After few other
pleasant words the speaker closed amidst
he was followed by Col. E. B. Murray,
for whom there were loud calls. That
gentleman thanked the people of Belton
for their support of him, and promised to
do his part in eleoting Col. Johnstone.
He resumed his seat while three cheers
were heartily given him.
a kind Of political love feast followed,
the following gentlemen making brief re-
marks: Col. e. B. Gary, of Abbeville /;
Col. Thompson, of Oconee; Mr.. G. z.
Prince, of Anderson; Mr.. A, G. Latimer,
of Belton Mr.. II. M. Prince, Of William.
ston; Mr.. Hunt, of Newberry. Col. Nor
ris was called for, but he had departed.
In the language Of Bill Arp, all is now
"calm and serene" j. d. G.