The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-01
CAMPAIGN MEETINGS.
ENTHUSIASM LACKING AT TIL EN- ON
THE PART OF THE PEOPLE,.

Synopsis Of the Meetings Held up to Satur-
day-The People Don't Seem to he Much
lntere sted and Few of Them Attend.
kINGsTREE, June 23 The candl'
dates for the State offices spok Ike mere
to-day to crowd Of not more than Soo
people. The first speaker of the day
was
MIR JAMES r. HARRISON,
of Greenville. candidate for Cover
nor. Mr.. Harrison alluded to the
grest privilege that was secured to all
candidates in the fact that everybody
votes on every question. lie deplored
the fact that he was not personally
known to the people of this section,
but he hoped to know them we'll after
this.
Mr.. Harrison talked for half an hour
and his remarks were chiefly to show
his ability to handle the wheel OF the
OF the ship of State. He spoke of his
service in the General Assembly and
said that he was sure that he had had
more experience than either OF his
opponents in the race. lie was run
ming for the Office, not because he had
been requested to run by so many
people, but because be believed he
would make South Carolila all efficient
executive officer.
Mr.. Harrison said he was not op-
posed to education, higher, lower or
middle. But some of the institutions
were costing more than they should.
He then made a talk about Clemson
and said he wanted it made strictly
chronological school. He did not see
the wisdom in continuing the prepar.
atory school in the South Carolins
College or any other institution of
higher education. He said if elected
he would endeavor to give them a
business administration. Prosperity
was increasing in the State. He saw
no reason why South Carolina should
not 90 forward in the line of prosperl-
ty, and if elected he would shape the
administration to that end.
In regard to the dispensary he would
say he voted for it. 1t was an expiri.
ment then. We are leaping in the
dark, and it was still imperfect, but
its success has been gratifying. If
elected he would endeavor to perfect
the system, so that it will receive the
entire support of the State. A step in
the right direction was taken when
the board of control was taken out OF
the State department. The divorce of
the law from politics was soon to fol
low.
GEN. w. II. ELLERBEE,
a candidate for Governor, was the
next speaker. He said that he liked
10 fight, but he couldn't think of
jumping on the venerable gentlemen
who opposed him. Anyway he didn't
need TO. He believed the boys were
with him. A little joking was indulg-
ed in between Gen. Ellerbes and Mr..
McLaurin and the good natured badi-
mage brought out the first demonstra-
ton of the day in shape of a hearty
laugh. He paid pretty compliment
10 "CurIy.headed Johnnie" and was
heartily applauded.
Gen. Ellerbee then launched into
Col. Harrison on account OF his at
tack on Clemson. Col. Harrison had
unintentionally, he was sure, stated
that the running expenses of Clemson
had been about $S5, 900 for the past
year. He then read the statement of
the board of trustees, which showed
that $50, ,256 of that amount had been
put into permanent Improvements,
enlarging the mechanical department,
putting in new machinery, new out
fitting for the dairy, repairing and
newly equipping the recitation rooms,
etc. Had his hearers been to Clemson2
1t was fine institution a big thing.
A voice: Nobody but the rich
can get IN there"
No, sir. 1t is for the poor mans
sons"
Gen. Ellerbee went on to tell how
that to abolish one institution might
mean to abolish all and it might even
destroy the public school system.
There was no telling where a pull
ing down" policy might end. Educa-
ton was to be desired above many
things. The colored people now
seem to be making greater efforts to
educate their children than the whites.
The educated mind must control and
unles the poor mems SONS are educated
where will we be-
Gen. Ellerbee talked a little about
the dispensary law and give his views
on the silver question. The salvation
of the cou4 try was the free and un-
limited coin. ye of silver. He said he
was Jefersonian Democrat, but had
never been Cleveland Democrat.
The next speaker was the picturesque
Reformer of Reformers,
G. WALT WHITMAN.
He came to the line at canter and
curvetted, pranced and danced before
the audience. He shouted himself
hoarse, wilted his collar and amused
the crowd considerably.
Mr.. Whitman said: / am in this
race for you peoples good. 1t was
said about me once that | was worth
$4,000. tell you l am paying my
expenses with money that borrowed,
and which is secured by a mortgage
on my home. III am nominated l
shall have to get somebody to pay for
my tickets. | want to put these pa
pers against what has been said. (dere
Mr.. Whitman distributed a numbe of
his circulars, signed "Thrue Reform
ers.") He said that Ellerbee had
spoken of ringstors. When they got
up into Union County he would show
that Ellerbe Was the biggest of all
ringsters.
Mr.. Whitman then waltzed into
Tillman, and voice in the audience
suggested that Tillman would be Pres