The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-01-24
The Ire of John Irby!
He Hurzs Defiance at the State
House" Plotters.

House" P1otters.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 13. 1894.
To the Editor of The State:
As much as dislike to appear 10
print in South Carolina. feel con-
strained at this tine, in justice to my
self and the Ailiancemeo of Laureus, to
speak out.
have been bounded, prosecuted and
misrepresented BY Kohn. representa-
tive Of the News and Courier in Co.
lambia, until forbearance has ceased to
be virtue. have had thrown into
my teeth my position as chairman of the
Democratic party by this man, and my
failure to harmonize the faction repre-
sent. until it is necessary that the peo-
pie of the State shall know the truth.
He. with lot of enemies of mine-so.
called Reformers-iD the State House,
undertook to manufacture sentiment
against me in the campaign Of 1892 BY
constantly publishing in his corre-
spoodence, the fact that the Reformers
we're anxious to be rid of me as their
leader, until Judge Ernest Gary, q
member of the committee, introduced
a resolution endorsing me unanimously
by the executive committee.
He has started the same thing again,
knowingly and maliciously saying that
I am to be deposed as Chairman, when
he knows that l was elected in. Sep
tember, 1892. to hold until September.
1894. | do not propose to surrender
the Craftsmanship of she Democratic
party until my term of Office is out, for
reasons which are to the interest of the
Democratic party aud I hope that
this win be roughly understood by
all the parties interested.
In the second place, notice both
anti-Reformers and Reformers in Co.
lumbia have been misrepreseoting the
objects and intentions OF the Alliance
of Laurens. iu its meeting on last Fri
day a week ago. To begin with, l
endorse every word and sentiment Of
the resolution introduced by MIR. j.
Andy Jones as to, the line of policy to
be pursued by the Reform movement in
South Carolina. The county Alliance
is composed Of the best men in our
county. They represent the Reform
sentiment of our county. They do not
intend-and it is very we'll for some
gentlemen of the State House to take
notice right now-to have lot Of men
foisted upon them without their con-
sent. Reform movement Or no Reform
movement
There can be 20 objection, except by
men who propose to take advantage Of
the people Of South Carolina. to the
postponemeut of the calling Of the con-
ventioo, or to the other purposes of
these resolutions. I know it did not
suit the convenience Of the clique Of the
Reform movement that met on Friday
night in Columbia to name candidate
"a farmer, but not an Allianceman,
and opposed to the Ocala demands, who
undertook to increase the taxes of the
farmers-and that this convention be
postponed, for be is not in sympatby
with the people and the people will not
have him for Governor with fair aud
square deal.
The Alliance Of Laureps passed these
resolutions without intending to help or
iDjure anyone They thought it was
for the best interests of the Reform
movement, and that the Reform faction
should, at least, be allowed to choose its
nominees, without interference or dicta-
tiou from any man, high or low. am
sorry to see that these men of Laurens
are to be mistreated by iusinuations and
innuendoes from persons whose political
conduct heretofore has been such as to
bring in question. at least, their loyalty
to the Reform movement.
Mr.. Editor, l want you and others in
South Carolina to understand that every
effort of mioe has been and will be in
the interest aud for the perpetuation of
this movement. lam going to stand
fearlessly BY the principles of the Ali
ance and every plank Of the first March
convention; and if corruption and
treachery shall dominate this movement,
then, l suppose, honest men will have
to take back seat.
What the people Of South Carolioa