The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1896-08-19
HON. JOHN GARY EVAOS.
THE CHAMPION REEORN DEMO.
CRATIC CANDIDATE FOX THE e.
=, SENATE,

Gov. John Gary Evans was born in Alb
beville county, Oct 18th, 1858, and is the
second son of Gen. n. &. Evans. His
mother was Victoria Gary. sister Of Gen.
Mart W. Gary.
Gov. Evans was prepared for college at
the Cokesburg Conference School, school
noted for the number Of prominent South
Carollnians who had received tran
ing theer. After leaving Cokes-
burg he entered Union CO..
lege at Schenectady, n. Y. in October, 1850,
from which institution he graduated. he
was elected President of his class II his
junior year, which was II very marked co'a-
pliment, especially for Southern boy.
Gov. Evans delivered an address at the
commencement exercises Of Union College
in 1895.
HIS vacation time was spent with his
uncle, Gen. Mart W. Gary. from whom he
inherited in marked degree the character
istics Of his illustrious uncle, and received
from him training in genuine democracy
and political principles as was taught only
by the BALD Eagle of Edge6eld, and for
which he suffered political martYrdon.
After completing his course IN Union Col
lece, Gov. Evans entered the Law office OF
his uncle Major VIM. T. Gary, of Augusta,
Ga. After admission to the bar, he returned
to South Carolina IN 1886 and located at
Aiken where he built up lucrative law
practice, and soon attained emlnence ID
high profession.
In 1883, having been in Aiken county
only year and half. he was elected by
dattering vote to the Legislature, he took
prominent part in tha proceedings, and vas
always listened 10 by his associates with
close attention He took deep interest IN
the common schools and education ID
general, and succeeded in passing two
important measures affecting the school
system. Likewise he succeeded II repeal
ing the Civil Rights Law, an odious measure
enacted by the Republicans when IN power.
In 1890 he stood for reelection to the
legislature and espopsed the cause of the
farmer with great earnestness, and was
elected by handsome vote. He soon
established hin self as the leader of the
Reform faction, and successfully coped
with the trained leaders OF the opposition.
In 1892 be was the Reform candidate for
State Senator, and after heated campaign
he completely triumphed over formidable
opposition and defeated his opponents by
u vote of to l.
Being alert, attentive. eloquent, forceful
in debate and thoroughly versed IN parl!a-
mentary tactics, Gov. Evans was an
acknowledged leader Of the Senate. and his
record IN the Senate has left its impression
IN the political history ofthe period and the
statute laws of the state.
1t was during his term as Senator that
Gov. Evans introduced and succeeded IN
passing the Dispensary Law, the most novel
and successful solution Of the liquor
problem ever enacted into law. Du,ing
this term he introduced the County Govern.
ment Law, as result Of frr conviction
that the old system OF running counties
was unsatisfactory and too antiquated for
the progressive times. Gov. Evans has
given this subject great deal of thought
ard by this effort the law has ceased to be
an experiment, but has become satlsiac.
tory system.
Gov. Tillman's terms as Governor having
expired in 1892. Gov. Evans was brought
forward as u candidate for Governor, and
after q lively campaign be was overwhelm-
iugly chosen over three competitors as the
standard bearer of the Reform party, and
received the Democratic nomination Gnanl-
mously.
By his vigorous advocacy of tho dis
persary law, and the ability and success
with which he defended the Alliance
Reform party and their principles. Gov.
Evans incurred the bitter hatred and
opposition of the whiskey influence. which
placed in the field Sampson Pope rs inde.
pendent candidate for Governor. Pope
was ANONYMOUSLY defeated, although he
q 10 moro vote
The administration of Governor Evans
has been vigorous, successful and eventtul.
The DispeDsary law has been the subject
of considerable legislation. all tending 20
perfect it. 1t has been in q great measure
divorced from politics By being placed
under the charge of the Board elected by
the Legislature. The County Government
law has also been amended in several par
ticulars, and is in very satisfactory con-
dition.
Probably the most eventtul occurrence o.
Gov Evans administration was the decars.-
ton of Federal Judge (Gof) that the regis
tration laws were unconstitutional, giving
the negroes and their white sympatblze-s
power 10 crush and humiliate Reform Adj
minist.ation. Gov Evans by political
craftsmanship and a determlnu-
ton to vindica,e our laws and our people, !
took active measures to have our laws VIM
dicated. and after brilliant fight before !
the appellate courts OF the United States i
succeeded in reversing Judge Gof, thereby