The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-08-12
Looks Like A Conspiracy.
Riotous Proceeding at Wins.
bOro.

COLUMBIA, S c., Angus: Add
another laure! to the crowc of the cam
paigo of education. This greatest OF
achievements in getting the candidates
face to face is glorious thing. On
yes, it's great and eternal when caudi-
dates are virtually bowled down aud in
suited on the stand But this is one of
the great results Of having candidates
canvass the State, Ta have rowdyism
20 approach fights, to risk bloodshed, to
curse. to howl aud do things like tdis
may be something to boast Of in this day
and time, but there has been different
state Of affairs.
To be plaio. to-day's meeting at
WinDsboro was disgrace to the intel
ligence of South Carolina. Blame
who you will for it. the bold. uudenia-
BILE fact remains that the meeting was
virtually in the hands of about dozen
men, who ran over things aud people
and their feelings like the Dalton or
James b1others. They, no doubt,
thought it was the proper way to show
their uudying faith in Reform aud
Evans, but they should have remem-
bered that this is not q Conservative
fight. but that the men at whom they
hosled most furiously were Of their
own kith and kin. There are those
who charge that it was a job Of the
dispensary clique, but that is perhaps
far fetched, and probably accounted for
by the fact that Dispenser John Steven
son was the chief promoter Of the co.,
fusion. He vas present because Of the
closing of the dispensary for the day,
but some of the chemically pure'' was
decidedly in evidence There came
dangerously near being riot in this
campaign Of education. There were
some few men of voluminous mouth
who we're trying to howl down Mr..
Duncan, and for the sake Of order the
chief of police wanted 20 take two of
the most bcisterous cut, and this pro-
voked the most blatant threats Of want.
ing to tear up the eartht if Ggbt we're
wanted, or if the men were arrested.
The curious thing was so oue wanted
to fight, aud the chief did cot care
to press matters, as it was quiet aud
not fight he was after. Governor
Evans had some trouble ip quieting the
apparently combative spirits of his
howlers, but he struggled ably to that
end, and helped materially, but, Of
course, it is to be remembered no oae
vas offering to fight.
Then to add to the fame, Chairman
Lyle cried out that this was a scheme
of the towu against country. As mat
ter of fact the rowing aud offers to
fight were entirely from couotrymeu,
and those who know say there we're
not score Of townspeople iu the crowd.
A few stood around Oh the outside: Not
only did Mr.. Duucan have to encounter
the dozen systematic howlers. but Mr
Whitman was treated even more
roughly and that saint Of good manners
aud respectfulness had to meet jeers
for while.
To-day the copstables got it all
round. Mr.. Duncan spoke of BODY
gaurd o; Governor Evan Mr.. Whit
man wagered that "those fellows" were
protected by whiskey constables. and
Mr.. Harrisoo lamented the day when
be would have to have constables to
protect him.
Governor Evans in the course of his
speech for the first time paid any atten-
ton to the Hubbeli-Mixon rebate mat
ter, and said there was nothing 10 the
charge. Judge Earle spoke Of several
State matters, but more largely of nat
ional politics, aud gave young jester a
severe rebuke that quieted him. Gov
senor Evan, aside from the cheers Of
bis over.enthusiastic friends, could ara
did speak counectedly 'to the boys :"
The other speakers had to meet useless
questions, while many others we're how
led down. The newspaper men and
speakers we're given the benefit Of a
basking SUP, and the boy who held az
umbrella over the press stampeded du-
ring the threatened row and lost his
little fee.-News aud CorTie7.