The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-22
A SPICY MEETING.
ALlVELY WAR OF WORDS BE-
TWEEN THE CANDIDATES.

Judge Earle Asks Some Questions, Which
are Answered by Governor EVANS Both
Get Little Warm Though Apparently.
Cool Enough.
LANCASTER, s. G., July 16.-- For the
first time since the campaign opened
there was some life in the debates here
today, and the indications are that
other things besides the dry free silver
issue, upon which nearly all agree,
will be made prominent in the speech.
es. Mr.. Duncan made his usual bond
speech, adding one or two new points,
and it was noticeable that he is i'm
proving in debate very much. How
ever, there was very little spirit in the
crowd during his speech.
The chief incident of the day was a
series of questions propounded by
Judge Earle to Governor Evans as to
how many meetings the State Board
of Control had in 1895. Governor
Evans admitted practically that none
had been, though he said there was
little use for them as all members
were agreed as to policy. Judge Earle
interrogated him about cancelling
dispensary insurance and giving it to
his brother at a higher rate Governor
Evans most positively and indignant.
" denied that he had ever done such a
thing or knew that it had been done.
He retorted on Judge Earle that he
knew he Governor EvanD did not
know it and Judge Elrle said he did
not, but while not responsible for the
questions which were given to him he
was certain that Governor Evans's an
swers would be replied to. Governor
Evans replied that he would hold
Judge Earle responsible for both ques
tions and answers, and the latter re.
piled very forcibly that he was re-
sponsible for anything he said now or
anywhere.
Governor Evans said he was too,
and during this colloquy the crowd
pressed close around the stand to hear
every word. Judge Earle had good
many friends in the audience who
cheered him, but unquestionably the
larger part of them were with Clover
nor Evans as was shown by their vol
luminous yells for him.
Judge Earle said privately that the
questions he propoLnded was the
foundation for some future remarks
he would make. There were about
400 people present. The candidates
and representatives of the press were
most Hospitality entertained by the
citizens and the Lancaster meeting
will long be red letter day in their
memories.
Judge Earle was the first speaker
introduced, there being several calls
for him. After giving his reasons for
stumping the State in 1890, which are
the same as he stated at the Camden
meeting. Judge Earle then took up
the financial question. As to the cry
of overproduction, he said it was non
sense. So long as there was one rag
ged woman in the world there was de.
mand for more cotton, so long as there
was one hungry man there Was need
of more wheat. If all the wheat made
was divided there would not be half
barrel to each inhabitant; nor if all
the cotton was made into cloth there
would not be enough to 60 around.
1t was not overprcduction, but under
consumption, and there was under
consumption because there Was not
enough money to pay for the pro-
ducts.
He dwelt upon the history of coin
age and then showed how the weight
of the silver dollar had been maintain
ed AL grains. while the amount of
gold in a dollar had bsen reduced.
Was it right and just, after the United
States had incurred debt based on
the gold and silver standard to have
to pay that debt on basis of gold
standard; was it just to make that dis
elimination against the debtor9 The
United States has the right to fix the
system of weights and measures. Sap
pose man was to give his nots today
for $50 bushels of corn to be paid next
year, and in the meantime congress
should change the measure OF bushel
to one-third more, and that when he
went to pay his note the creditor de.
manded one-third more corn. Would
that be honest2 And yet the govern
ment had done that Identical thing as
to silver. Gen. Earle strongly favor.
ed the income tax, and spoke at
length upon the iniquities of the tar
iff. If free silver carried the day we
would have hard time of it for a
while, but it was better to endure that
for short time and SO get free from
the halter that was about our necks.
Let us lay aside dissensions among
ourselves; let us stand together as one
people for the good of South Carolina,
working together and with one pur.
pose. We are all Democrats and
should stand together as one people.
(Cheers.)
Mr.. ]. T. Duncan said he rejoiced
to see the two great parties arrayed
openly in the fight on a great issue.
Heretofore it had been q cowardly
contest. He maintained that Tillman
had done more for silver than any
other man in the United States. Mr..
Duncan referred to the history of the
Reform movement; how Tillman had
led it on to success when in other
States the movement went to pie ,es.
Now, Tillman had made the issue in
congress, he had stirred the people
and made all men take sides. Mr..
Duncan claimed, with mo1esty for
for the great leader, by saying he was
greater than a President; he made
Presidents. The national committee
mad given him the honor of blazing
the way to victory. He had done so