The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-28

SnOuler Gne laugnteE VI Iue CIo"u.
Prior to these exciting episodes Nc
Laurin had another spat with Can't,
who wanted to know whether McLau-
rim would support Tillman or Butler,
aud said some one had telegraphed
him from Washington to ask that ques-
ton.
McLaurin replied: Neither you nor
your boss in Washington can bulldoze
me. I will support the man who stands
natfooted for our demands"
CAN'T tried to claim that this was
not direct answer, but the crowd evil
dently concurred in the opinion that
McLaurin was right in saying that
Tillman ought only be supported just
80 long he stuck to the principles of the
Farmers movement and no longer,
and commended his position of refusal
to say he would olindly support Till
man without any reference to his prin-
ciples.
McLaurin spoke upon national issues
and his speech and the speeches of the
candidates will be more fully reported
in another number of the Register,
this dispatch being but sketch.
Congressman Shell was called upon
to speak by the almost unanimous
voice of the meeting and made brief,
clear, pointed and calm refutation OF
the ISLANDERS that have been aimed at
him. re does not believe in hitting a
man " hen he is down, so he made no
direct remarks about Can't, whom Nc
Laurin had crushed on his own Dung
hill. He recalled his services to the
Reform movement from its inception
which are known TO be invaluable, and
said be had not been accused of being
traitor though no charge of treachery
bad ever been made against him until
last january year ago, when upon
the heels of his announcement that he
would retire from political life he had
been accused of treachery. This charge
of treachery was based on certain
charges and these he exploded. He
had nothing to gain after the success
and honor he had attained in the Re-
form movement by being a traitor to
that movement. he never endorsed
R. W. Harris for Office. Harris was en-
dorsed by all of Unions representa-
tives in the General Assembly and by
almost every county officer of Union.
Congressman She'll endorsed a gen.
tleman from Saptuc, but when he found
he did not live in the town of Union
then he (Shell} endorsed Mr.. Murphy
for the position, but in Difference to the
Union Reformers he said he would not
object to the appointment of Nj. Har-
ris. He had been accused of distribut-
ing free passes but he had never dis
tributed lies. Some poor men in his
district had written him asking for
places in Washington and saying they
were unable to pay the cost of trans
portation. He had then gone to the
r. and D. Office and stated the case
and obtained passes for these men to
come to Washington and obtain work,
but in each case he had written that
there was no political significance in
the pass.
He had been charged with obtaining
a position for Mr.. J. Washington Watts
but if be had erred, then he had erred
Oh the side of mercy, and if he had il
all to do over again be would do ii
again. Watts was an old man of &c
years of age, without home, near
neighbor and an officer in his church
He had recommended him for a posi-
ton in the Agricultural Department,
but be could not obtain it on account OF
his age. 1t had then been suggested
that it would be we'll for Mr.. Watts to
be appointed State Statistician and he
had seconded the recommendation. II
be had erred be had erred on the side
of mercy, snd not man in the crowd
before him would want him to dc
otherwise. He had been charged with
failing to attend Alliance meetings
during the last twelve months. Dur
ing that time he had been busily en-
gagged in Washington, but if anybody
wanted to know what be was doing
for the farmers he ought to go to the
Farmers Bank in Laurens and ash
some questions which he would rather
have asked aud answered there than
answered by himself. Any one asking
would be toldIthat there was q large
balance against BIN loaned to farmers
all over the county. He had Deverse'
fused the use of his money or his name
to any poor farmer in this county and
be never would. But when be an
nounced that he would retire from po'
ljtical life some people whom be had
never seen, claimed to know more
about him than be knew about himself
Congressman Shells plain, straight
talk brushed aside perfectly whatever
false impression had beeh. given about
him by the charges of defamers which
he showed to rest upon no foundation
whatever.
General Ellerbe was the first speaker
of the day and retrieved thoroughly
his reputation as speaker, which had
suffered little because of the spell oi
sickness which prevented his finishing
his speech at Lexington last Saturday
He briefly but clearly stated his posi-
ton Oh State and National issues and
reviewed tine history of the Reform
movements achievements. He favored
the issuance of bonds by the State