The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-07-08

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Mr.. Clarlos c Tracy of Walter
boro was introduced and proceeded
to say he had determined not to be
a candidate for solicitor
The next speaker introduced was
Solicitor Bellinger Immediately
there was confusion in the crowd
men moving to and fro and the mur.
muring of many voices
"Tell us something about Hannah
Walker" called one man
"Tell US abou: Aiken. where yon
can find IL honest men," was the
tauut of another This was followed
by howls that drawned and other
sounds
Chairman Cooper appealed in a
mild way to the gentlemen of Col
Teton to listen to what their solicitor
had to say
"Msn, will you refuse to hear
me ?" asked Mr. Be|linger. 81 am
South Carolinan, a white mans
man."
A -"What, you ?"
Bellinger-Yes. (Hoots and
howls.
Bellinge Ir-came here to speak,
and SO help me God, I will stand here
until my time is exhausted whether
you hear me or not. If he was lis
tened to in his own behalf he would
show them that he was All enthusiast
on the subject of law and order, and
who believed the power to make and
execute human laws the highest
attributes of man. Interruptions,
which had been constant, here broke
out afresh Some one shouted that
the man who said ColIeton people
were not honest was a liar. Such
declarations as I'VE do not want to
hear you. God knows we don't y
eve don't care d-n what you
have to say; "You are d-n
scoundrel" were frequent.
About this time Chairman Cooper
appealed to the meeting to be quiet.
If they felt that Mr.. Bellinger had
treated them badly they should lis
ten to what he had to say, and then
vote for the man they wanted
Mr.. Bellinger said if they would
listen he would tell them something
that would make them mad sure
enough. Confusion continued. } "The
man who accepts Office said the
solicitor, land fails to carry out
the law is moraf coward and pol
tron''
A voice-Why did you say our
county could not get jury oftweive
men to give fair trial? ?
Mr. Bellinger-What said was
that I did not believe the state
could get fair trial in Colleton.
Are you going: to vote against me
because of the Broxton bridge pro-
secution!
A voice-Persecution, you mean
Mr. Bellinger-All who are going
to vote against me on account Of
the Broxton bridge prosecution hold
up their hands.
Confusion and voices-No that's
not it; don't try Ben Tillman's
plan
Mr. Bellinger-You know that
citizen of your county wrote to a
candidate for solicitor in another
county, saying the Broxton bridge
case would get him 1000 votes
here
Voice-No: he'll get 'em all
j. Fl. Dodd. a cousin of W. B.
Ackerman-You are a nigger's
man.
Mr. Bellinger-You oppose me
because am nigger's man, do
you?
Dodd-Yes.
Here the chairman called time.
Mr.. Bellinger-I want to answer
that man
Dodd-You can answer me out
in the crowd or anywhere else.
(Here Dodd made a demonstration
and was held by two men, Mr.
Bellinger standing fast unfinch-
ing
Dodd: 'tPitch him out here to
me-"
The crowd seemed to be closing
in on the stand, aud the prospect
was decidedly squally-
Dodd-You have been paid by
northern Republicans to prosecute
this case.
Bellinger-Put it in writing or
print, and so help me God, | will put
you in the peuitentiary for perjury
and libel (Shouts of write it,"
"write i'll"
Bellinger declared that he would be
reelected despite all the bowling.