The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-07-28

Meetfcg In Co'umbta-lne Speeches be-
livsred Vary Very Little From Those
Made at the Previous Meetings.
The campaign meeting in Colum
bis Tuesday was charscterlzed oy
some senatorial political revelations,
but il passed off peacefully and quiet
w. The meeting was called to order
by Rev. z. L. Kirtou. Chairman
Ray with brief preliuiinsries introduce
ed Senator McLaurin, who was re-
ceived With applause:
Mr.. McLaurin, in bis preliminary,
stated that hen the campaign began
he thought only rational issues were
10 be discussed. but state ard local is
sues bed been dragged in. AS far as
rings in Columbia are concerned ne
had nothing to do with any one OF
them. The only ring he knew Of was
BY three or four gentlemen, whose
sole object was to defeat rim.
Mr.. McLaurin first vert into a dis
eussion Of the silver question, making
q very able argument t. show how the
free coinage of silver would benefit
the Whole pcopleot the country.
Mr.. McLsurin then spoke on the
tariff question. He said that the only
way to get up money for the expenses
of the government was by a tariff. or
bv an leone tax. In his connection
with the Dingley bill he had acted on
the principle in the party platform
that the tariff should not be sectional
or assist any certain class of citizens
at the expense of others.
He said that neither he nor the
Democrats were RESPONSIBLE for Ding
lev tariff bill. MI. Evsrs is going the
rounds telling the farmers that my
vote would increase the price OF wool
en- goods. That is al insult to the
farmers.
A voice: Don't run up against
John Gary"
Another voice: Jump right on
him."
McLaurin: 1T is not necessary.
The people have already done that
daughter and a%pplause.)
MI. McLaurin said that the rice tariff
was an important one to South Caro-
lima. He read his record in congress
8 reported in the Congressional Rec
ord. he said that he had received
complaint from Mr.. Graham and other
rice planters against the republican
tariff bill. Should he not heed their
plea9 What he wanted was proper
cl~assi6cations for rice. Something
that will help the rice farmer and not
the western brewer. The importation
of rice -four last year wss ~, OOO,O OO
pounds. That rice is imported by one
or two firms in this country for the
benefit of the brewers. The reason he
opposed such a classification was not
to put a tariff on anything the people
eat, but to prevent western brewers
from having advantage OF southern
rice planters.
AS to cotton, he referred to Mr..
Evans statement that Egyptian cot.
ton and Peruvian cotton did not come
in competition with South Carolina
cotton. He read something from
Sheppersop, a great friend of cotton
growers. He has been going around
with q crash suit to prove bis
statement, but he only wor it at two
or three meetings. Now he is NOUN
ing. (Laughter,) MIR. 10y calls it
''long island cotton" (Laughter.)
Col. Irby: "Oh, yes, but l knew
better"
MI. McLaurin: POSSIBLY my friend
was thinking of the lemonade In the
city of Washington" (Laughter.)
Mr.. McLaurin continuing, said that
Col, Irby voted for a tariff that would
benefit western wheat r~aisers. Yet he
and Mr.. Evans are going around talk
ing about the great disadvantage
which would come 10 the Democratic
party by me-the Repubhcan-Populist
Proie chemist.
At this point Chairman Ray called
M. McLaurin to the faci that his time
was up.
MI. McLauriu: "You are not going
to call me down too?"
Several in the audience, some not
from the city or county, called on MIR.
McLaurin to continue.
Col. Irby: Let him speak as long
as be wants. l will do so too"
Col. John P Thomas: "As a Dem
ocratic voter, I say'thst the Richland
voters are running this meeting and as
these other men sre attacking this mar
/ do not believe his time should be
limited"
Mr.. McLaurin then continued, no.
body obiecting, ~butseveral yelling for
him to continue. MIR. McLaurin's
speech was in substance the same as al
previous meetings,
NR MAYFIELD.
Mr.. Mayfeid Jumped on Mr.. McLau
rim for taking up one hour and a half
in his speech ard firing out everybody
while a, the same tlme be has two OF
three daily papers working in his in
terest. 1t Is unbecomiue and unjust
in him to charge the ctaer candidates
With being in league sR"ilst him.
He said MI. McLaurin had a paper
in Columbia, in which rs has $500 in
vested. Col. Neal has $50.
McLaurin: II have Lot a cent in
vested i'll that paper. Mr.. Koestel
came to me snd said be had been dis
charged from MS position on account
of friendship for me. ! put my hand:
in my pocket and gave him $500. He
said he had a wife aud child to sup
port"
May field: you have given Koeste,
$500. What die Elleroe and Neal give
money to him for2"
McLaurin is trying TO misrepresent
me by saying I'm in a combination.
He knows that I wrote him and that !
have his reply, in which I told him