The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-07-25
A LIVELY MEETING.
sLLERBE AND EVANS GETTING DOWN
TOHARD WORK.


ECsndidstes Need Not Expect any Help
from Rim-seustor Butler Making g
Hard Fight.
BARNwELL, S. c., July I.-News-
paper correspondents had to hustle for
awhile today to keep up with some OF
the speakers. The reason for this was
that new frecrackers were lit and ex-
ploded. For several weeks. except oc-
caslonally, the press gang has found 1t
monotonous killing time during the
speeches. Nearly every man thrashes
the same old straw and the reporters
know 1t all by heart. They do not
bother with anything except whatever
new matter may have lodged in can
didate's head over Dight. In other
words, it is a good deal like milking a
COW. The milk Is the same each time,
but there is always little cream to
skim. 1t is the cream which the pencil
showers look out for. Well, cream was
plentiful here today.
Rev. J.D. McCroy opened the exer-
cises with prayer and Chairman Dun
can Bellinger asked for a respectful
and attentive hearing for each speaker.
The first candidate introduced was
Superintendent May&eld. That speaker
told his hearers what has been accom-
pIished In an educational way In the
last few years-naming the building Of
Clemson Collegae and the erection of
the Woman's College, together with
the improvements in the public school
system. Mr.. MaYfeld told OF the law
passed by the last Legislature permit
ting each school district to levy an ex-
ira tax to sustain Its schools. The
cities and towns, he said, have voted
this tax and are giving their children
educational advantages. The people IN
the countr. have the same law to
profit by. They can vote this special tax,
and under the law, each taxpayer can
tell the County Treasurer what school
he wants the money to go and can
have il sent there. Mr.. Mayteld was
applauded.
6. Walt Whitman, who followed,
said he could tell that the audience was
composed of true blue Reformers by
the "visages of their forefronts" and
By the sparkle Of their eyes. He claim
ed that the Reformers have not done
their duty by the public schools Of the
State. This was because the recon-
mendations of Governor Tillman have
not been carried out and the represen-
tatives of the people have been mis-
representatives. He said the public
school children get $3.50 a year each
and the students of the South Carolina
College get over $500 each. Brother"
Whitman declared that Superintend-
ent Mayfeld has developed into a won
derful loyer Of the South Carolina Col
lexe, IF he was not mistaken Mayteld
had always been against the college
until he (Whitmanl began to attack
it. Whitman said the amount which
each student costs at the college is
sufficient to pay all mans expenses
to Europe and back and give him sew
aral months schooling. Whitman
scored his opponent little more Sc
yerely than usual. While doing this
there were shouts for Msyfeld.
General Richbourg spoke third. He
said he was candidate for Adjutant
General because the military service in
the State is in a bad fix. The speaker
said that he had given his services to
his State for thirty three years. His
Young friend Watts was not Assistant
Adiutsnt General, as there is no such
office in the State. He was merely a
clerk. There seems to be plan to ask
General Richbourg at each meeting If
he was not a candidate on the Haskell
ticket. The question was again put to
him today and he answered that he
was, but tuat his position was defined
a few days ago. This explanation
which concluded General Richbourgs
speech, was received with applause and
several cheers were given fer him.
Colonel Watts followed his opponent
making a brief speech. He was given
considerable applause. Colonel Watts
is developing as a speaker. He no
longer appears i'll at ease, but Is free
and easy.
Candidate Yeldell SPOKE for votes for
Railroad Commissioner. He was asked
II he would look out for the Carolina
and Midland mike BroWn's) Road and
he promised that he would. He put
himself on record as being II favor OF
separate coaches for the races. tie was
also in favor of reducing first class pas
senger fare from 81 to 3 cents mile.
He didn't see why railroads in this
State should charge 31a cents wnen
they only charge cents in other
States.
Railroad Commissioner Sligh next
made dash for votes. The crowd
~ ShoU ocR0H tho 0fhpT
speakers, to be short and sweet, as they
didn't want to he ar anybody but Till
man.
MIR. Sigh said he had been in office
only one term and didn't believe the
peopl~ would turn him out now. The
present Railroad Commission has made
no radical changes in affairs, but will
reduce passenger rates If the roads can
stand 1t. Mr.. Sigh closed with some
humorous remarks.
,ELLERBE's SPEECH.
Ellerbe led the procession of the gu
bernatorial races today. He came on the
track In good form and began kicking
the trim racer from Aiken at the very
outset. This is said to be one OF EV-
aDs's counties, but the Swamp Fox did
not mind this and before he finished
he had made a strong impression and
was frequently and even Vociferously
cheered. Some Of those who at first
began to question him ceased and
eheered many of his manly, open state
ments.
General Ellerbe requested to be al
lowed time for personal explanation.
He read from the LaurensVille Herald,
which, he said, was Evans organ,
something about the treachery OF the
Shell -McLaurin-Ellerbe crowd. After
reading this General Ellerbe said:
Fellow citizens, l have lived in
South Carolina all my life and l was
never before charged with treachery.
While | am not fighter no man will
asre come to my face and say am
. traitor. have been Reformer from
the time Tillman made his first speech
at BennettsYille until now. l have
been his personal, political and social
friend. ] ask him if he has ever doubt