Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-08-15

be asked as to what he knew about the
slate business.
THE BLACKSBURG MEETING.
The idea that there is no interest in he
county campaign is mistake. At least
the charge does not apply to the good
people Of Cherokee, for al Blacksburg,
last Wednesday, there was conclusive
evidence to the contrary.
When the candidates reached Blacks
burg on Tuesday night and Wednesday
morning, they found in the situation an
agreeable surprise. The citizens Of the
town had been taking special pains to
make things attractive. They had gone
to the trouble of preparing big COLA
ton. the band boys, under Captain Lucas,
had practiced up for the occasion, and
there was in the atmosphere feeling
that the good people were looking upon
the candidates not as lot of nuisances,
but as men who conferred favor and
were entitled to especial consideration for
presenting themselves for acceptance or
rejection.
The meeting took place in Berkeley
grove, just opposite the depot of the
Southern railroad. There was a stand
for the speak ers and smother for the band,
and over both Of them there were sub
stantial coverings to protect the occupants
from the scorching rays Of the sun. In
front of the stand for the speakers, were
a large number of seats, and when the
speaking commenced at about 10 o'clock,
the crowd numbered something like 500
people, including scores Of ladies, nearly
all of the most prominent citizens from the
surrounding country, and quite number
of the business men of the town.
Mr.. J. w. Thomson acted as chairman.
The proceedings were opened with an es-
pecially appropriate prayer, and DR.. j.
H. Saye was introduced as the first speak
er. At Yorkville, on tho previous Mon
day, the doctor, who is unaccusto med to
public speaking, had shown some little
embarrassment. But at Blacksburg all
this disappeared. He discussed the sub
ject of education, county division and the
duties and responsibilities of legislator
with an intelligence and ease that evident
ly made good impression. Just about
the time he concluded, the chairman call
his attention 10 some questions that had
been submitted. One question wanted
an expression on the county division
question. Another asked whether or not
the candidate was in favor of allowing
school districts to elect their own trustees,
and the third was whether railroad con-
tractors shall have mechanics lien on
their work until paid for it. DIR. Saye's
position on the county division question
has already been announced. The other
two questions he answered in the affi rma-
tive and gave his reasons.
Mr.. l.. X. Armstrong was the next
speaker. During the course of his re-
marks, he mentioned the fact of having
crossed Kings Mountain battle ground
on the day before, and suggested to the
people of the neighborhood and the band
boys especially, that it would be go cd
idea to "rid" up the place and have an
encampment there of two or three days
each year. Then he offered some sugges-
tions for the improvement of the dispen-
sary system. He thought that now, liquor
was too expensive. If the state would
manufacture its own whisky it would not
only reduce prices, but also furnish a
market for grain and keep at home big
amount Of money that is now sent out of
the state. His proposition, of course, was
based on the presumption that people are
bound to have whisky, and if they must
have it, it should be furnished to them as
cheaply as possible. He expressed him.
self as opposed to county division, except
in strict accordance with the constitution,
and said yes to the other two questions.
Mr.. j. r. Witherspoon discussed the
extravaganza that prevails in Columbia,
and said that if elected he would do what
he could to secure retrenchment. In an
swer TO the question as to county divis-
ion he said that the matter was not an is
sue. The constitution prescribes that
new counties must have so much prop
erty, so much population and so much
area, and when these conditions are
complied with and the people want a
new county, it is nobody's business.
He was born in York county, however,
had lived here all his life, and would dis
like very much to see the county divided.
In conclusion, Mr.. Witherspoon made
good hit by saying: "But it is no use for
me to promise you that if 1 60 down to
Columbia 1 will play the devil, for do
not know whether 1 can do it or not"
Laughter and applause.l
Mr.. w. B. deLoach was the next speak
or. After referring to his residence in
Blacksburg, etc., he went into thorough
discussion of the county division matter,
which he described as mixed issue of
law and fact. He denied that he had any
thing to do with raising the issue; but said
the matter was certainly live one and the
people had right to know how the can
didates stood on it. At the conclusion of
his speech, he told hard joke on the