Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1892-03-10

Fun at the Mass Meeting.
(Columbia State, March 81

business men and prominent citizens
of Columbia who went away from
the opera house last night rather
suddenly, all indulged in roar after
roar of laughter. They were about
as badly asold" set Of individuals
as one ever sees, but Tor all that the
Joke was too good to produce any
thing but hilarity, pure and simple
Of course it was all about that
mass meeting called by certain citi-
zens for the purpose of nominating
sssome better man" for Mayor than
had yet appeared in the race. AS a
mass meeting it was a glorious sue
cess; as to the purpose-well that
was forgotten. Listen how it hap
pened.
There was ssful house" of all
classes of citizens when the hour
appointed for the meeting .rrived
In fact there had not been such a
fine mass meeting since the canal
matter was discussed and Mr.. Gums
suit condemned. Most of those
present came out of curiosity and
had pleasant surprise.
There were only<a few who knew
Of the ajob" that had been put ur
and they were discreetly quiet. The
majority were in a state of expect
ancy-they did not know exactly
what the ebill Of fare" was to be.
Finally, after several attempts tc
get presiding officer, Col. J. @
Marshall, who came as a spectator
consented to act as Chairman in all
earnestness. Mr.. W. Fl. Gibbes, Jr.
on the nomination of Mr.. W. T
( Martin, was chosen Secretary.
Col. Marshall stated that unfortu.
nately he did not know the object OF
the meeting, having come only te
look on, and he would request some
of those who had issued the call tc
explain the object to the assemblage
Silence reigned supreme for few
moments, none of the callers volun.
teering to answer.
Ten, in most earnest manner
Mr.. Winthrop Williams rose and
said that it appeared to him that
such meeting was not in accord
with the usual Democratic methods
and certainly had not the spirit o.
the primaries. In conclusion he crieo
very forcibly, 81 move that this body
do now adjourn - Prolonged ap.
plause greeted this, showing the
popular sentiment, but it did moi
prevent the fun that -'as to follow
Before the motion could be put tc
the house, Mr.-W T57Martin was or
his feet asking Mr.. Williams to with
draw it for the moment, that Col
Tilman Watson had letter he
wished to read. Cheers
Col. Watson then stepped out on
the stage, and, stating by way o1
introduction that it was understood
that the meeting was called for the
purpose of nominating certain
widely known citizen, and that gen.
tleman had handed him the following
card to read to the meeting, duty
he should have discharged himself
COLUMBIA, S. C., March 2, 1892.
To the Public:
Many of my friends have informed
me that ssthe mass meeting" to be
held tonight was called with sIeW
to force me to run for Mayor Of the
city. Imust respectfully decline the
honor, as I have higher aspirations
| ~
Mr.. Cleveland and Mr.. Hill are
both looking to me to accept higgt
Cabinet. position. Possibly one 0,
the other may be left ogt.
The Constitution only allows one
President, but by political chicanery
as in the case of Mr.. Harrison an6
Mr.. Blaine, both may act in thai
capacity.
In the event of Mr.. Hill being
elected Mr. Cleveland may be Secre
tary Of State and he dictate and The
other sign.
Thanking my friends for the grea
honor done me, I am, very respect
fully, your fellow-citizen,
Coz. j. MADISON Roach.
When Col. Watson had reached
1 the portion referring to Hill ant
Cleveland there was laughter through
the house, and that was the frs
intimation e the joke. When th'
name was read there was pandemo
mum, cheers and yells filing tb'
house. Simultaneo eously, too, ever.
manj jumped from hisseatand started
for the door, conyuIsed with laugh
tered feeling very much like b
had made Of himself See
Out on the streets the crowt
/ gathered and il was discussed as th'
] Joke Of the season. Only one thins
! remains TO be told. crowd be
! lieved the who's matter vas sspu
up job. On the. contrary seyera
well known gentl tlemen had gotten q
1 the meeting, as already stated, IN Al
earnestness for the purpose stated
Ebut they could not tnrn the popnls
4 tide. That was al. They were no
I seen ii the crowd aeound the doc
] afterward
or the benefit tof the outside pub