The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-01-31
Dy's room in conference, but left when
McLaurin came in.

D2 S IOCI III COulSioE Wv Ioio " HS1
McLaurin came il.
Editor Williams, of the Greenville
News, who is also in Washington, tele-
craps as follows to his paper:
"Ihe split in the South Carolina re-
form party seems to be widening
There have been two caucuses or cou-
ferences il the last two days-the last
one this morning which ended IN an
UNPLEASANT scene between McLaurln
and irby. McLaurin was present as
representative of the BoWden or Eller-
be ~ing and resented $bitterly the sena.
tor's vigorous denunciations Of Shell
aud BoWden, declaring that he would
not submit to having them slandereo.
His wing is in open rebellion against
Tillman, who seems disposed to side
with Irby and John Gary Evans al
though he has not openly declared him
self. The sides as represented here
seems to be Bowden of the Cotton
Plant, koester of the Register. NC
! Laurin and Shell against 1rby, Evans
and Strait, with Latimer doubtful, Dut
leaning toward the alliance side. Tai
bert is doubtful, and Tillman is doubt
| ful but leaning towards 1rby.
81 am told that an agreement IS tax
ing shape to form a reform convention
to be called between March and May,
and that proposition is TO be made 10
have two men, one representing eacn
faction, to be chosen in each county to
act as managing committee to secure
{ fair play. The alliance wing men
here boldly declare to make it warm
for Tillman if he undertakes to dis
criuinate against them in any way
The feeling between the two elements
| is becoming steadily more bitter.
Governor TilIman and Senator Irby de-
eide tonight that there shall be no re-
form convention, but that all candl,
dates shall go before the people and
submit their claims to an open prima-
ry of all Democrats. This decision is
announced through the Associated
Press and is said to have been decided
on without much consultation with
other leaders. 1t is not known yet
whether the Ellerbe faction will ac.
cept this, but they will probably do so.
The following is the Associated Press
dispatch alluded to above, and may be
accepted as the true version of the
meeting and the conclusions reached
BY it. it was sent out from Washing
ton under date of January % and reads
as follows:
governor Tillman of South Carolina
arrived in the city yesterday for the
purpose uf transacting some business
in connection with the dispensary OF
his State. Incidental to that business
there was held in the committee room
of Senator Irby at the capitol a con-
ference attended by Governor Tillman
Senator Irby, Representatives Strait
Talbert, Latimer and McLaurin and
Col. Neal, superintendent OF the State
penitentiary. This conference was
for the purpose of considering what
was the best policy for the Democrats
to pursue in the coming election IN
South Carolina and resulted, Cover nor
Tlllman said, in practically unanI,
nous agreement. Senator lrby Is chair.
man of the State Democratic commit
tee, and Governor Tillman is the lead
er CT what is known as Reform Demo
Gratis, and the representatives present
represent districts that were carried by
the same wing of the party. There are
two factions in the State advocating
different policies, the one favoring a
convention in the spring for the pur-
| pose of nominating candidates to 60
before the primaries, and the other IA
voring a free-for-all race by the prima-
ries to be held during the month OF
August. The members Of the caucus
agreed that il would be better not to
hold the convention, for the reason that
it would look as if the attempt was be.
ing made to forestall the people in their
choice, and the primary form of select
lug candidates will be recommended.
1t is understood that this result was
not reached without heated discus
sicn, and it was said that Representa-
tive McLaurin, because of an allusion
to one of his friends, who belonged tc
the Third party, withdrew from the
conference before any conclusion was
reached, not, however, until he had re
piled to the statements made by Mr.
Troy, who is credited with having
made the speech at which Mr.. McLsu
rim took ofense.'
The conclusion reached by the eau
Gus is a most sensible one, and vii
put an end to the war in the Reform
ranks. It will give satisfaction to al
Democrats in the State, as 1t co nple te
" shuts out the Third Partyites anc
does away with factional Democratic
convention. Under the plan adopted
every Democlat in the State will have
an opportunity to vote for the man be
wants for Governor without any sug
gestions from March or July conVen
tioa.