The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-03-03
SENATOR IRBY'S VIEWS
SOUTH CAROLINA IN NATIONAL AND
STATE POLITICS.

-Alliance Men are Democrats-The
Hamptonian Democrats Favor Cleye-
land, but the Now School is at Sea,
New YORK, Feb. Ex-senator J.L.
NJ. Irby, Of South Carolina, was at the
Sturtevant House Wednesday. The
new Senator is tall, powerfully framed
man, with smoothly-shaven, round
face and strong features. He is men,
Der Of the Farmers Alliance, and is
chairman of the State Democratic CON-
mlttee. lie talked Of the political
situation in South Carolina with a
Times reporter.
when the wave swept over the
State, in 1890, which washed out the
old-tlme Democratic managers and
resulted in the election of Governor
Illlman," he said, "there followed a
disposition on the part of some promin-
ent Democrats to maintain a factional
opposition to Iillman. The party was
not united during the year that follow
ed, and until quite recently-up to
about ten days ago-I had thought that
there would be split in the party
which would result in an opposition
candidate to Governor Tillman. From
information have received within ten
days am inclined to think that this
split Will not assume such serious pro-
portions, and L now believe that what.
ever feeling in this direction there Is
Will contine itself to efforts Of the party
tlon, which will come In August.
AT that time we nominate u COM
plete ticket, including Governor, solici-
tor and member rs of the Legislature,
Governor Tillman will be candidate
Tor denomination. If he is successful
IN securing the nomination l believe
the leaders who may have other candi-
dates up to that time will come into
line and support him. This condition
Oh thlngs leaves the Democratic party
IN good shape. 1t will be united at the
election.
The Republican party is sadly
divided. There are three faction, each
headed by a leader OF considerable
strength and so determined that any
thlng like harmonious action seems out
of the question:"
"ls the Alliance as strong as it was
asked.
II think it is," he said. "The Alli-
ance IN that State Is chiefly composed
OF men who have been Democrats all
their lives. They are Democrats now.
am a member of the Farmers Alliance.
and was elected as Farmers Alliance
and Reform Democratic candidate to
tle Senate, but have always been a
democrat and am a Democrat to-day.
Ihe Alliance will not, as political
party, count very heavily. 1t does not
nave IA strong inclination for ticket
OF Its own in the field"
Whom do the Democrats of the State
| favor a Sol
1T is hard to say who Is the fayorite
or the rank and file Of the party. The
leading newspapers Of the State and
those leaders Of the party who were in
control from about 1876 to 1890 are in
favor Of Cleveland. The papers have
strongly expressed themselves, and in
my Judgment the position of the old
time leaders is clearly defined for the
Ex-President l do not think it safe to
say that the rank and file OF the party
nio to1 ltiu. There has been no occa-
sion yet which has given an opportu-
nlty Tor an expression on JlIis siibject.
"A mlsapprehension prevails at Cno
N orth as to the true position of the
cOlored voters in South Carolina. 1t
grows out o. the condition of things in
the OLD carpet Dagger days. When the
Republicans had control of the State,
prior to 1876, the colored man went into
politics.. He did so because there was
money in 1t for him. But with the
passing Of the State into the hands of
the Democrats this opportunity for
money-making vanished, and the col
ored men began to turn their attention
TO something else. They took to reliR-
ion: Whenever one of them secured
little education he wanted to become
teacher or q preacher instead of
politician. The result has been bene-
licial for them. There is no class in the
State SO anxious now to secure an edu-
cation as the colored people. 1t is
something really wonderful. They are
not bulldOzed at the bollot-box, but
they vote as they please"