The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-02-24
SENATOR IRBY'S VIEW.
South Carolina in National and State Poll
ties-Serious Opposition to Tillman
no Longer Feared-Alliance
5Ien in South Carolina
are Democrats.

Men in South Carolina
are Democrats.
From the New York Times, Feb. II
Senator J. L. NJ. Irby, of South
Carolina, was at the Sturtevant
House yesterday. The new Senator
is a tall, powerfully-framed man,
with smoothly-sha7en, round face
and strong features. He is men,
Der of the Farmers Alliance, and is
chairman of the State Democratic
committee. He talked Of the politi-
cal situation in South Carolina with
a Times reporter.
"When the Wa. swept over the
State, in 1890, which washed out
the old-time Democratic managers
and resulted in the election Of Gov
ernor Tillman," he said, "there fol-
lowed a disposition on the part of
some prominent Democrats to
maintain q factional opposition to
Tillman. The party was not united
during the year that followed, and
until quite recently-up to about
ten days ago-I had thought that
that would result in an opposition
candidate to Governor Tillman.
From information I have received
within ten days I am inclined to
think that this split will not assume
such seriors proportions, and I now
believe tbs ahatever feeling in this
direction tuere is will confne itself
to efforts of the party leaders before
the nominating Convention, which
will come in August.
THAT time we nominate COM
plete ticket, including Governor,
solicitor and members of the Legis-
lature. Governor Tillman will be a
candidate for nomination. If he is
successful in securing the nomina-
ton I believe the leaders who may
have other candidates up to that
time will come into line and sup.
port him. This condition of things
leaves the Democratic party in good
shape. It will be united at the elec-
ton.
1.-THE Republican party is sadly
divided. There are three factions,
each headed by q leader Of consider
able strength and so determined
that anything like harmonious ac-
ton seems out Of the question"
"Is the Alliance as strong as it
was two years ago?" Senator Irby
was asked.
II think it is,'' he said. 'The Al
lance in that State is chiefly COM
posed of men who have been Demo
Gratis all their lives. They are
Democrats now. I am q member Of
the Farmers Alliance, and was
elected as Farmers Alliance and Re
form Democratic candidate to the
Senate, but l have always been a
; Democrat and am a Democrat to-
day. The Alliance will not as q
political party, count very heavily.
It does not have strong inclina-
ton for a ticket Of it's own in the
field"
"Whom do the Democrats of the
, State favor as Presidential candi.
. date?"
: "Itis hard to say who is the favo'
: rite of the rank and file of the party,
. The leading newspapers of the State
and those leaders of the party who
we're in control from about 1876 tc
, 1890 are in favor of Cleveland. The
: papers have strongly expressed
.. themselves, and in my judgment
the position of the old-time lead
ers is clearly defined for the Ex
l President. I do not think it safe to
say that the rank and file Of the
party are for Hill. There has been
no occasion yet which has given ar
opportunity for an expression or
:, this subject.
:. "a misrepresentation prevails a
1 the North as to the true position O.
= the colored voters in South Carolina
: It grows out of the condition O.
e things in the old carpets-baggel
r days. When the Republicans bae
e control of the State, prior to 1876
q the colored man went into politics
= He did SO because there was money
:. in it for him. But with the passing
$ of the State into the hands of tn
y Democrats this opportunity 70
2 2 money-making vanished, and tn
u colored men began to turn their at
tention to something else. They
y took to religion. Whenever one o
d them secured a little education b.
q wanted to become a teacher or
!, preacher instead Of politician. Th
d result has been beneficial for them
e There is no class in the State 81
i anxious now to secure an education
d as the colored people. It is some
thing really wonderful. They art
d not bull-dozed at the ballot-box, bu
d they vote as they please"
e "Who hath not own'd with rapture
smitten frame
+ The power of grace, the magic Of ;
y name w
= ~ Ill L.