The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-09-25
TRADING WITH THE NEGRO


of Sumter County tha, he did not
make a trade with one or more of the
negro candidates for election to the
Constitutional Convention. We would
have no interest 10 this brazen attempt
to disapprove facts. that were made so
pa,en. by the logic of events, that scores
who bad hitherto affiliated politically
With Capt. Keels openly declared that
they repudia,ed him and his methods
fer all time, bad Capt D E. Keels not
dragged in personalities against the
editor of this paper. The purpose of
the closing paragraph of his article is as
apparent to all who are acquainted With
his methods as was the fact that be had
an understanding with some of the
negroes. aud expected to be elected
delegate to the Constitutional Convex
tion by ueaos of negro votes. He de-
sires to re-arouse prejudice against the
Conservative element in hope Of being
able to regaio his sway io the Reform
ranks, and with this end in view be at.
tacks the Watchnlan and Southron 10
bis usual braggadocio style. Capt
Keels should learn something by ex-
perience, for he is uot a fool, what
ever else be may be. He knows
that he can neither use. buy nor 10.
timidate the Watchmean and SOuttron,
aud that We will continue to express a
candid and fearless opinion concerning
bim or any other mao who occupies, or
attempts to occupy, the role Of a pollt-
ical leader This is settled principle
in the editorial conduct OF this paper
and it will SO remain for so long time
as the present editor is connected with
it.
We care nothing whatever for Capt.
Keels' personal opinion. and were it
not for the quasi public character OF
the matter i, would be ignored With
the contempt that we feel for it and its
author. However, since Capt. Keela
calls in question the correctness of the
opinion that Re traded With tae negroes,
we propose to briefly epumerate
some Of The circumstances that con-
6rmed that opinion in the minds Of Re-
formers and Conservatives alike.
/. A resolution was introduced 10
the Republican convention that coal
ition be formed with the faction Of the
Reforriers that was led by Capt
keels.
2. Tickets we're distributed at the
election cootsining the mans of
the three oegro candidates an'i the
names of Capt D. E Keels. W. A.
James and j. E. DuPre The last
three pames we're written. and al! Of
these tickets that We saw-spec'mens
being shown US from widely separated
precincts-were 10 the handwriting Of
one man. aud that uan, we were re-
!iably informed. was one of the negro
candidates. The question is. Why
would one of the negro candidates
work for the election of Capt D. E
Keels and his two associates unless
there was an understanding? Why?
3. % the day of the election Capt.
Keels was in Sumter and was seen on
more than one occasion in close conver
sation with one of the negro candidates.
4 90 the day of election cue Of the
negro candidates was going around
among the negroes canvassing for the
negro. Keels combination ticket. aud
was distributing the partly printed and
partly written tickets before mentioned.
Why did be do this 7
5. On the day Of the election the
votes we're counted in the Armory
Hall. Besides the managers Of election
and the CLERKS, there was quite large
crowd in the hall What occurred
there was matter Of public knowledge.
Capt. Keels was seated Oh one side of =
table keeping tally as the votes were
counted Opposite him was seated WIZ
Andrews. Esq, one of the negro cand'-
a,ao l,oon;ou rooorS nj