The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-07-08
STORMY POLITICAL MEETING
A SENSATIONAL OPENING OF THE
SOUTH CAROLINA Senate
RIAL CAMPAIGN.
EX-SENATOR |RBY ABUSED N LAUR|N
Persons on the Stage Had to Inter-
fcre to Prevent n Smuggling Match.
Irby Alleged Conspiracy
and Dishonesty.

| Sumpter, S. c., July 5.-The first meet
ing of the campaign of the democratic
nomination for United States senator tC
fill the place now occupied by John L.
| McLaurin by appointment from Governor
.Ellerbee was held here today and proved
| sensational in the extreme. 1t opened
| quietly i'll the opera house, which was
| only comfortably filed.
County Chairman Purdy introduced
Senator McLaurn as the first speaker.
The senator's address was very conserya-
tive. He paid tribute to the memory of
Senator Earle and gave an account of
his own political stewardship. Mr.. Nc
Laurin was warmly received and sat
down with the pleasing assurance of hay
ing made good impression.
Then the storm broke. Ex-senator
John l.. NJ Irby was introduced, and for
three-quarters of an hour there were en-
acted as exciting scenes rs perhaps have
ever been witnessed at campaign meet
ing in this or any other state
Things looked serious for q time, and
lrby and McLaurin were only prevented
from clinching by the interference of
those on the stage. Irby, in his Speech
Laurin, and he came to the front When
Irby rose, the cheers for McLaurin were
deafening. He made an opening sally
and the cheering was such that lrby,
despite repeated efforts, could not 20 on.
Then when Chairman Purdy Quoted the
crowd, Irby started again by charging
the crowd with trying to howl him down.
He said he knew that it was all fixed
in this hot-bed of rascality. Pretty soon
he said he did not care how many of these
city henchmen tried TO prevent him from
speaking.
Chairman Purdy advanced to the front,
saying it was the desire to give Irby a
respectful hearing, and he asked that
he not repeat the insulting language. If
he could not be respectful they did not
want to hear him. The committee was
not responsible for the outbursts of feel
ing. Irby replied that they had insulted
him first Irby went on and character
lied McLaurin as a ring streaked and
dishonesty, and one being guilty of trea
son and treachery. He said the foulest
conspiracy that ever existed in this state
was now in force, and McLaurn was
its beneficiary.
Finally, McLaurin. who had turned
pale, jumped up and faced him, saying:
"Irby, let's have an understanding,
right here. We have known each other
a long time. You can not accuse me of
dishonesty. You can not insult me in
that way"
The two men faced each other. Irby
replied that he had said it, and added:
Il say further that if you hit me, you'll
be hit back"
At this juncture Editor Apple rushed
up to McLaurin and told him he would
have II reply.
Charles Emanuel rushed in and said
to Irby:
mo one hut coward would talk that
way"
Irby replied that no one hut Il coward
W Id insult guest.
Mr.. Purdy and others got the men
quoted, the house being in an uproar.
When Irby finished. McLaurin de-
nounccd the charge that he was in COM
bine as absolutely false.
Irby rctorted that he would prove it.
No other candidates appeared, though
Irby said that other pledges would be
filled and the fast and furious meeting
ended having lasted only one hour and
twenty minutes