Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-03-04
ROCK HILL HAPPENINGS.

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ROCK HILL HAPPENINGS.
KuL.nnv.Cat Fight Between Miller and
white-sam Jones on "Get There and
Stay There"
Correspondence Of the Yorkville Enquirer.
Rock HILL, March 2.-The two main
features of the past week in ROCK HILL
were lectures of vastly different kinds;
but both were interesting. The frst was
he lecture or address of 7. E. Miller, the
colored ex-congressman from Beau1ort.
His subject was 1.-THE Blessings OF the
New Constitution" These were the prohi-
bi ton of charges on facts by judges, the
ma king certain of the right to change OF
venue in criminal cases, the homestead
provision, and the educational sectloh.
1.-The toddy was too strong" though wnen
he struck the suffrage restrictions. he
complimented many members OF DOM
factions of the whites; but admitted
decided preference for the Tinmanites. Az
the conclusion of his remarks, in which
he had not referred to the issue in re-
gard to the craftsmanship OF the State
Republican party, he was asked VINO was
the chairman. He replied that Wepster
was, and then proceeded to pitch into Mr..
Lawson D. Melton and his friends. he
made things pretty warm for them TOO.
He evidently appreciated the FEELINGS OF
these whites who are willing to sacrifice
themselves as leaders Of the State Repub-
licans in the coming election, and his
power of ridicule is pretty well developed.
His remarks evidently made good i'm
preston on those for whose favor he was
laboring. -,
When he closed there was call tor
reply from Rev: E. D. White. He favor
M elton and was on the platform during
Millers speech, watching him as a cat
would watch mouse. Rev. White seems
to be the idol of his friends. They ex-,
pected him to dispose of Miller as easily
as winters wind scatters chaf, and he
had determination and desire enough to
do so. He is very black, has q powerful
voice, seems to know the political situa-
ton pretty well, and is ardently in favor
of Melton. He began his reply to Miller
by informing the audience that Miller had
denied being Negro; on another occa-
sion had made exceedingly disrespectful
r remarks about r. D. George, Of Charles
ton. George was pure, noble Negro.
He advocated separate clubs for whites
and blacks; he ridiculed Webster and
his policy as chairman; he avowed his
approval of the Melton clan and would
support them. Miller was entitled to
great honor for the great work he had
done. It had been his intention to sup
port him for the presidency ofthe colored
State college; but he could not do it now.
In passing, Ihe referred to. descriptive
paragraph in the Rock Hill Herald, in
which it was said that he was "black as
the ace of ofspades;" meaningless compar-
ison to him, since he did not know how
black that was. His reply was .flery
throughout; the texts of Scripture sprink-
led in now and then were not Of the olive
branch flavor. His whole demeanor
showed that he knew dangerously well
how to arouse the anger and nurse the
prejudices ofthose to whom he appealed.
If there should ever be close contest in
York county, and the Negro vote came
into prominence, the Rev. White will be
heard from.
Miller's reply was very bland; but ear
nest and effective. 1t was evident that as
far as that audience was concerned, he
had genial friends, though it is likely that
as the meeting was called for Miller's
benefit, his friends were in the majority
at first. The whites, a number of whom
were present, were amused, and, notwith-
standing, saw some things that did not
please them.
On Friday night, Rev. Sam P. Jones
lectured in the auditorium Of the Presby-
terian High school. This was secured
because great crowd was expected. The
weather disappointed this hope some
what. A special train that was to come
from Blacksburg never came. An ar
rangement was made by which the train
that came from Kershaw, went as far as
Yorkville and brought down those
who wished to come from stations be-
tween that point and Rock Hill. The
Southern train was late, and the lecturer
was too hurried for his comfort. In spite
of all drawbacks, a good audience was
present. The subject was How to Get
There and Stay There" He did not
mean socially, for the social successes
were the dudes and dudines, whom he
scored numerically for their worthless
ness; not financially, for the man who
scrimps and saves may feel assured that
the man who succeeds him as husband,
will sit on the front porch and bray of
what an easy time he is having; not
politically, for an honest man could not
exist in politics; clean hog might 60
into the mire, but he would not be clean
when he came out. He advised against
drinking whisky, carrying pistols, and
other vices. Every man should, he said,
get there by bringing himself to the
highest stage Of development and fitting
himself for the highest position Of use
fulness. The audience was we'll pleased.
Of course many saw some Objectionable
features. Some one thing and some
another; but all were pleased. The hu-
NOR and the pathos were alike striking