The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-04-01
BETTER THAN A SHOW.
A Most Delightful, Amusing, Har-
monicus. Representative and Sat-
isfactory Mass Meeting.

The mass meeting Friday night was most
delightful occasion. In attendance there was
nothing left to be desired. for the Court
House was filled until standing room only
was at premium; in the speeches there was
nothing of bitterness or aspersion bat much
Of wit aud humor; in the presiding officer the
meeting was most fortunate in having Col.
r. D. Lee, for be introduced each of the
many candidates 10 most pleasant and alto
gether inimtable manner. The crowd was
good humored and ready to appreciate we'll
turned jest, yet earnest and attentive to the
arguments seriously advanced by the candi.
dates, and it is safe to say that no fact
brought forvaed.nor 20 promise made will be
forgotten.
AS au entertainment the mass meeting is
correctly classed az serio- comedy with con
siderable Of the farce eugrafted upon it. AS
successful enter taipment the mass meeting
was very Successful, and the Executive
Committee should receive vote OF
thanks froea the we'll entertained
citizens for having provided 80
excellent sho@ at 20 cost to the public.
1t was somcthiag better than minstrel, and
much more entertaining than nine out OF
ter of the burat cork aggregations that 20
around the country hunting the half dollars
of the public.
The frst speaker was Dr.. J. j. Bassard,
then Capt. A. N. Freeland, Messrs A W.
Suder Barlow Wash and H. Frank Wilson
in the order named. Eesch made his
speech and each one received respectful
by personal reference, applicable TO himself,
and this ser@ed as cue to number of those
who followed. Maj. Wilson, of course made
the longest most eloquent and most taking
speech of the evening, for be is both gifted
and experienced as public speaker.
The eaHdidates for Mayor, each and every
one, pledged themselves to use their best en-
deavors to administer the city government in
an economical and business manner, redQce
taxes as much as possible as consistent with
the best ioserests Of the city, remodel if not
repeal the license Law, support the fire depart
ment aud give the affairs of the city their
personal supervision and constant attention.
Then came the candidates for Aldermea in
the following order:
l.. S. Cacson, T. B. Fraser, Jr, Joel &.
Brunson, q. Hardy, C. NJ. Hurst, Jr., E. Il.
Moses, j. Frank Pate, C. W Reardon,
George D. Shore and Edgar Skinner
Messrs g. s. Bradwel, sr., R. W. Do
rant and Henry D. Barnett, declined to stand
for election. Messrs. R. q. Baker, J. E.
Jervey, N. ks0anaugh, H. j.. McLaurin, H.
Ryttenberg and c. E. Stubbs were absent
and did not respond when called oa With
one or two exceptions, however, the cause OF
their absence was stated and their excuses
made to the meeting. Col. Lee, es chairman,
expressed his great personal regret and the
regret of the meeting that those candidates
We're unavoidably absent, and ia doing so
he but gave expression 10 the seatiment of
the citizens present.
The speeches of the Aldermanic candidates
were brief business like and to the point.
Each man declared aimself as determined 10
work for the good of sae city, if elected. and
20 have as the first consideration the ecoaomi-
cal administration of the city affairs.
The meeting was in session less than two
bours, which is the best proof that there
we're 40 long-winded speeches made.
The mass meeting was very satisfactory
aud will be productive of good and 40 evil
results