The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-07-01
The Campaign Circus.
A Review Of the First Weeks
Performances.

CvARLysroN. June S.-Tae first
weeks stage Of the two months joor-
new of the Reform band Wagon through
South Carolina having been accon.
nlished it might be of interest to re-
7;ev some of she incidents of the trip
aud give prominent characteristics Of
several of the candidates
Five counties have been visited
Ciarepdoc. Williamsburg, Georgetown,
Horny and Marion-and the speeches
have been heard by 20 more than l, 100
,eoole. At Marion yesterday 500 was
liberal estimate of the numbcr of the
audience and the reasoc for even that
much iatcrest vas because Marion had
two sons on the stunp-Ellerbe and
Norton. Georgetown broke the record
for small meeting, there being less than
so white men of that county 10 attend
sace.
Next to the senatorial race, the con-
test for the job of keeping warm the
executive chair 10 the State House next
winter by natural process, is the most
interesting. This is occasioned by the
fact that a favorite SOP Of the lowlands
aad Pee Dee section is oue of the
candidates an equally favored son OF
she Piedmont is another. and that the
hills of old Union send forth candi-
date who tells some ansavory truths
about Reform, grinds crauk about
colleges, and spriukles an acceptable
amount of ginger aud pepper into the
debates.
Mr.. ". H. Ellerbe. Of Marion. is
we'll known in public life 10 this State.
By the changing of four votes from
Stokes, of .Colleton, by the Rlchland
delegation he was nominated in 1890
for comptroller general, aud on taking
the stand to accept bis nomination Ar.
Ellerbe said be wished it understood
that he was, not one of those who be-
lieyed there had been aoy corruption 10
the Sta.e-thas the fight was simply on
the principle Of '.outs' wishing TO be
"ius > His administration Of the
conotroler's Office four years vas cred
table. Ia 1894 he was one of the
candidates for governor. but his
..briches holt" ou Tillmau was not of
the strongest, so he fell behind. MIR.
Ellerbe is an ardent Rsformer. but not
of the Tillman-Evaus stamp. His
platform seems to be one on which
moderation, with justice to all factions
will have a standing. crowding off the
arrogance aud insolent partlsauship
which have characterized the governors
Office for six years. MIR. Ellerbe is
the youngest candidate.
State Senator John R. Harrison, OF
Greenville has been member OF the
legislature greater length of time
than any other man in that body, with
the possible exception of Major BUST. OF
Charleston. After serving 10 the lower
branch several terms he has graced
chair in the senate for eight years. He
is the eldest of the candidates, being
about 55, and is of rather distinguished
appearance. Iron gray. with a head
shaped like James G. Blaine aud beard
trimmed iu his style, his side face is
not unlike that Of the Maine statesman
10 years ago.
10 politics Mr.. Harrison is conser-
ya;iye Resormer. His promise is to
recognize no class or faction if be is
elected governor, and to try aud bring
the people together. His vote against
the metropolitan police bill will proba-
Div be remembered in Charleston on
electioo day. The only clash between
Mr.. Harrison and Mr.. Ellerbe IS on
Clemson college-the former claiming
that that institution is conducted more
as literary than an industrial school
that it costs too much and that what
ever it gets should be appropriated di-
rectly from the treasury and not 60 to
it iu the uncertain privilege tax; Mr..
Ellerbe, member of the Clemson
board, defending that college as 1t
stands. Both favor State institutions of
higher learning.
Mr.. Harrison likes joke exceee'-g-
ly in private conversation, anc : =
fond Of telling them on the stand.
louisville, Union county, is being
daily advertised by son who is Ger
tainly one Of the most interesting fea-
lures Of the campaign. Mr.. Whitman
is between IS aud 81 years of age; of
medium height, stout, with black aair,
uoustache aud close cropped siders.
His training in the Methodist pulpit
makes him fluent speaker and he has
a rather forcible style of delivery.
It is not chaste or polished, but be
says he can put these frills on if he
wanted to. he just chunks them 'the
facts like throwing ear corn to hogs"
as be puts it. Mr.. Whitman tells
koco