The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-04-05
POLITICAL HASH.
Latimer Up one Side and Down the
Other-Read 1t as you Please, and
Form Your Own Opinion.
GreenVille Daily NeHR.


WASHINGTON, D. c., April l.-Much com
ment is caused here by an article that ap
peared In The Evening News of this city
March 2Sth. II will be interesting reading Ia
! the voters of the Third Congressional district
and doubtless be received as information
n dropped into the National hotel last
night, and as usual met many prominent
southerners. This hotel Is headquarters for
South Carolina. This delega' ion has received
considerable newspaper notorlety, and prom.
ises to attract much attention In the next ses.
sion. These gen ntlemen have been designated
by their opponents as third partyites," mas
querading as democrats. =.
"The delegation Is here TO take hand In
the fight for Federal patronage now being
waged between the reform and anti-reform
"They are all members Of the Farmers Al
lance and Intelligent men. The Hon. A. C.
Latimer is, perhaps, the best known OF any
new member from the Palmetto State. A dis
tinguished southern congressman, who knows
Mr.. Latimer well, said to me:
perhaps no man In congressional life has
been more abused and misunderstood, as TO
his attitude toward the democracy Of this na-
been other. than a staunch and uncompro.
missing democrat.
II spent much time In South Carolina dur
Ing the last campaign, and no speaker i'm.
bold, outspoken man, who does his own
thinking and Is governed by high sense Of
right and justice. He is not q politician. and
possibly woul0 have never been In State or
national politics but for the fact that q lot Of
machine politicians. tried to run his State TO
suit themselves and ignore the reasonable and
sensible demands of the masses. He was one
Of the prominent leaders who planned and
existed In South Carolina from 1875 to 1880.
He succeeds Mr.. tombstone.
"Mr. Latimer was called upon by the al
lance to oppose Mr.; ,Johnstone, and he &C
hoo ltpifh n nd ~
ment. Up to this time he had never held an
Office, nor made a political speech /; apparently
he dIsliked politics. and preferred the COM
fortsof happy home and liberal fortune.
Like Governor Tillman he exhibited remark
able powers as a campaigner. and his adver-
sary soon realized his inability to cope with
him on the stump. The race resulted in
complete walk over for Mr.. Latimer, and 1t is
probable he will remain In congress a long
time.
HE is q strong advocate OF free silver and
the sub-treasury plan, but always claimed
that these questions should be debated and
settled Within the the party lines: He showed
by publicly denouncing the Idea of South Car
olina alliancemen going into the third party,
and to him is due as much credit as 10 any
other man in his State for the defeat of the
third party In the last election. His atfil-
iations have been, and will continue to be,
with the democratic party. The censure that
has been been heaped upon him Is unjust and
without fOundatlOn. he Will, DelleVe, make
q reputation In congress-"
WAS IT AN ADVERTISEMENT?
It Is estimated here that the article was paid
for at regular advertising rates. II Is believed
that 1t was prepared by Congressman Lati-
mer in room 10 at The National hotel, or there
about.
The article appeared the day after the 'Re-
discovered what kind OF a politacal
boat they we're in, and somebody had to be-
gin making explanation and writing eulogies.
than one copy of The Evening News with red
Ink drawn around the Budget of q Button
Holder" and the question Is not difficult TO
answer as to why and for what purpose 1t was
written. But who sent these marked coples
eulogistc of Congressman Latimer to Post
some OF the 'populists" from South Carolina
might answer.
Fortunately, however, the postmaster gen.
eral will have something TO read besides the
Evening News. A prominent gentleman OIL
South Carolina has sent him q copy OF The
News and written him calling his
attention TO the vote Of President Cleveland
ferent ser lions Of the third congresslon dis.
trlct. The returns show the fa ct that Mr.. Lat
inner received the vote OF the third party peo-
pie and ran ahead Of the Cleveland ticket.
These are matters that will come up latter,
however and for the present Especial confer.
lence" will be INDUCED In all hours Of the day
and night.
To sum the matter up. Latlmer, McLaurin
and Strait are at sea, whilest Irby Is sick
and Is under the special care Of his own ply
sician, DR.. Sampson Pope, who will likely
draw the Office this time, 1t being his second
effort. B.