The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-29
A POLITICAL SENSATION.
GOV. EVANS READS A LETTER FROM
SENATOR TlLLMAN.


Lively Day Among the Senatorial Aspi.
rants ut the Birthplace Of the Reform
par,y-Most OF the Time Consumed by
Them.
BENNETTsvlLLE. 8. G., July %. -
There was about 45O people present al
the campaign meeting here today.
The usual formality Of opening the
meeting with prayer was dispensed
with and County Chairman, w. D.
Evans, introduced Judge Earle as the
first of the Senatorial candidates. He
started off in the discussion of State
issues by stating that the only objec.
tion either of his opponents could
bring against him was that he opposed
Tillman in 1890. Another objection
is that I had not entered the race at
the start. The Governor objects be
cause, he SAYS, ought to be satisfied
with the Office of Judge, but why
shouldn't be be satisfied with his pres
ent position2 Why is he a candidate
Simply because he wants the office. l
want it, and | feel that am compe
tent to fill the duties Of the position.
He referred to his fight against Till
man in 1890, but said that he had al,
ways said that Tillman was honest.
He was not tainted with bond deals
and commits sions like others. The re,
mainder of his speech was devoted to
a discussion of financial matters.
MR.. DUNCAN NEXT.
Mr.. Duncan discussed national pol
itics as starter but very soon got
down to State issues. AS to one of his
competitors, the campaign could be
made in a decent and gentlemanly
manner; as to the other he would
leave his exhibition to the people to
say whether it was becoming to a
Governor OF South Carolina. he be-
lieved that if Judge Earle had not
come into the race Governor Evans
would have been run off the stump;
he would not have made the canvass.
Judge Earles candidacy could not
possibly mean his election.
Judge Earle Gnterrupting): THAT
would be a pity" Laughter)
Mr.. Duncan, in continuing, referred
TO Judg, Earle as an old man, and he
latter locularly asked Mr.. Duncan tc
say anything about him except call
him old. Mr.. Duncan said he would
let the Judges gray hairs speak for
themselves.
Mr.. A. B. Hennegan (from the audi
ence): "rhat don't make any differ
ence. DeLesseps, who built the Pan
anna Canal, had a baby at 80 years
old"
The whole crowd was convulsed
with laughter at this sally.
Mr.. Duncan in the course OF his
speech said that Mr.. Barber would ex
plain about the drawing up of the
present Dispensary law.
Mr.. Barber said he would eyplain OF
answer any questions provided it came
out of Mr.. Duncan's time.
Mr.. Duncan: "Was an outline Of q
bill agreed upon before hand2"
Mr.. Barber: "The first bill was
drawn by Mr.. johnson of Fairfield
Governor Evans handed it to me. He
and Senator E6rd had taken a great
deal of interest in it, and they net ir
my Office for the purpos > of drafting s
bill, the principal thing discussed be
ing the system OF bookkeeping. There
was an understanding about the Board
of Control, but for the life OF me
can't remember the details. Neither
does Senator E6rd remember. Latel
Governor Evans saw Colonel Tomp
kins, who objected to the bill, and af
ter that at Governor Evans direction
the present bill was drawn up by me.
Mr.. Duncan then referred to tht
Manning Times article. stating tina
he had bought 10000 acres of lano
about Columbia. I did buy some lit
tie land about Columbia, but the price
of land there is $500 per acre. The
insinuation is th:t l bought with
whiskey rebates That means that
got s., 600, 900. IT that is so, what sor
of a watcher of the States interes! j!
he9 Mr.. Duncan attacked Governor
Evans for making Numerically op
pasite statements and concluded by
referring to two Of his brothers hold
log Office, one appointed by Governor
Tlllman and the other appointed by
Mr.. Duncan himself.
GOVERNOR EVANS CLOSES.
Governor Evans started off By refer
ring to the fact that the first tocsin o
Reform was sounded in the cour
house in this place. He said that he
did not care to be fumigating skunl
at every meeting, but he liked to all
swer an honorable man in an honora
BILE way. When Judge Earle frat en-
tered the campaign, he mad said ht
was glad to welcome him as an honor
able Zoe. but he too had resortsd to in
situations by asking him questions
which were calculated to put him in 8
false light.
Judge Earle aaose. and advancing
towards Governor Evans, said "Whc
started that warfarsa 1t was you yes
terday who made statements in tht
presence of ladies that no Governor o.
South Carolina should use. (Hurrah:
for Eake and EVans.) want you t.
understand here and now that [ will
not submit to such language"
Governor Evans: You can't bluff
me. l will say to you or anybody else
whatever l want"
Judge Earle: Don't you dare make
the statements that you made yester
day"
Govern Dr. e vans: "Ill IN IKE aay
staten ents | please be ore my people.
Governor Evans continued aud said
that judy Earle had charged that h:
had cancelled insura nee in Ande $50
and given 1t to his brother.
Judge Earle said that hs had bseL
50 informed and asked Govern Dr. Eg