The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-24

the crowd was two to one in favor of
Ben Tillman and Reform.
The meeting was held in a grove at
the old town of Helena, one mile from
Newberry, and the road leading thereto
was full of carriages and candidates,
men and mules, donkeys and dust.
The crowd numbered between 1,5o0
and 1000 men and boys. The latter
were made conspicuous by their Sheep
ribbons and lusty lungs. The Sheep
shouters were packed almost solidly in
front of the stand, and pressed close up
to the reporters table, oftentimes by
their noise rendered it impossible for
the newspaper men to hear word
from the speaker.
It is tale of disorder and tumult-
the record of to-day's doing.
Youmans has all the credit for the
disgraeeful behavior and the resulting
adjournment of the meeting. It was
his persistant attempts to buldoze
and besmirch Governor Tillman that
brought about what became almost a
riot.
But the farmers great leader-the
irreproachable "Commonern of South
Carolina-stood his ground, despite
Youmans-and his ferocious mustache.
The meeting was presided over by
County Chairman H. II. Blease, who,
in calling to order, urged all present to
accord each speaker respeptful and
attentive hearing, thereby maintaining
Newberry's good reputation for eourte-
sy and hospitality.
He then read an official document, it
being a commission as Special State
Constable for O. L. Schumpert, aud
signed by Benjamin R. Tillman, Gov
ernor.
Rev. George A. Wright opened the
proceedings with prayer.
CANDIDATE YoUMANs
was the frst speaker. This, he said.
was the first time he had had the priv-
ci;!ege OF appearing before an audience
of Newberry people.
"With Governor Tillman as a private
citizen T have nothing to do or say; but
Governor Tillman and his acts as a
public official are legitimate subjects
for criticism"
Youmans proceeded to tell what a
nice man he is, claiming that service
of two years in the House and foul
years in the Senate establish for him
quite record, on which ne can proud.
ly stand.
He then began repeating the same
old stuff he has been getting off all the
campaign, and which is familiar tc
South Carolinians FROM one end of the
State to the other.
He told about how he had been in.
vited, in 1886, to join the Farmers
Movement, and said Tillman had writ
ten to him to come to Augusta and he
would tell him how he could get int
it. He also reproduced the old gag
about Tillman having said that his
CTillman's) charges and arraignment
against the old ring rule crowd were
groundless, but that he had to resort
to such means to catch the peoples
ear. This alleged admission of Till
mans the speaker said, was borne out
by proof; and, turning to the Governor
said:
IT call upon you now, Governor
Tillman, to publicly admit or deny
the charge"
Youmans' harangue had been iber
| ally punctured with yells from the
| Sheep and kids, and when he turned
to Governor TilIman and asked hi:
| question in his own peculiarly disagree
able and bullying tone and manner
there was a distinct manifestation O.
| excitement throughout the crowd.
Governor Tillman arose from the
bench at the rear of the platform, anc
ignoring Youman's, presence, looked
| only at the crowd in front of him, anc
| said /:
"That man has asked the same ques
tion before, and I answered at HorrJ
and several other places, thai I woult
not descend to the level of black
guard and notice him."
The Governor then took his seat ant
Youmans advanced toward him anG
repeated the question. TiIlman, with
out rising, said: "You have my an
swer."
The noise at this time became tumul
tuous, and the crowd surged closer t.
the stand, Youman's lips moving
meanwhile, but what he said could no
be heard.
Men commenced climbing upon the
platform and trouble was imminent
Among others rushing up was MI
Gus Dickert, State constable, wh'
ran un in front of Youmans and said
"Stand your ground, G-d-it, W
are here, 60 On talking"
This was the critical moment; th
stand was crowded with angry, excited
men, expecting and ready for blood
shed; curses and threats filled the air
pistols, knives and sticks were -four
ished, and a free fight seemed jug
commencing.
The reporters stand, just in front OF
and connected with, the speakers
stand, was oyerrun by the angry mo-
in their efforts to get in the "middle 0
the row."
Cole. L. Blease, a sturdy Reforme1
threw himself in front of Tillman
fearing that an onslaught might b