The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-06
POLITICIANS AT WAR
SENSATIONAL INCIDENT AT A SOUTH
CAROLINA MEETING.
Senator McLaurin and Ex-senator Ir-
by Barely Prevented by Friends
from Coming to Blows.
FIGHT BETWEEN POPULISTS
CANE USED BY A CONFERENCE DEL
EGATE TO RESENT AN INSULT.
One Man Refers to Another as "a Red
Headed Sapsucker, and Is Called
MuIEet-Headcd Buzzard.

SUMTER s. c. July 5-The first meet
ing of the campaign for the Democratic
nomination for United States senator to
fill the place now occupied by John l.. Nc
Laurin by appointment from Governor FL
Ierbee was held here to-day, and proved
sensational in the extreme. 1t opened quiet
ly in the opera house, which was only com
fortably filed County Chairman Purdy in
troduced Senator McLaurin as the first
speaker. The senator's address was
servative. He paid tribute to the memory
of Senator Earle and gave an account of
his own political stewardship Mr.. Me-
Laurin was warmly received and sat down
with the pleasing assurance of having
made a good impression. Then the storm
broke.
Ex-United States Senator John l.. M.
Irby was introduced and for three quarters
of an hour there were enacted as exciting
scenes as perhaps have ever been witnessed
at a campaign meeting in this or any other
State. Things looked serious time and
again. At one time 1rby and McLaurin
were only prevented from clinching by in
reference of those on the stage Irby, in
his speech applied the severest language
to McLaurin as he came to the front When
Irby rose the cheers for McLaurin were
deafening He made opening sally.
Then McLaurn made an apt side remark,
and the cheering was such that Irby de-
spite repeated efforts, could not go on.
When Chairman Purdy quoted the audi
ence he started out again by charging the
crowd with trying to howl him down. He
said he knew that il was all fixed in this
hot-bed of Haskellism and conservatism.
Pretty soon he said he did not care how
many of the city henchmen tried to prevent
him from speaking.
Chairman Purdy then advanced and said
that 1t was their desire to give Irby
respectful hearing and he asked that he
not repeat that insulting language. If he
could not be respectful, they did not want
to hear him. The committee was not re-
sponsble for the outbursts of feeling Mr.
Irby replied that they had insuited him
first. He then went on and characterized
McLaurin as a ring-streaked striped and
specklcd politician. He charged him with
dishonesty and with being guilty of treason
and treachery He said the foulest con-
spiracy that ever existed in this State was
now IN force and McIaurin was it's bene-
ficiary.
Finally McLaurin. who had turned pale,
jumped up and faced nby, saying: "lrby,
let's nave an understanding right here. We
have known each other some time. You
can't accuse me of dishonesty. You can't
insult me in that way
The two men faced each other. Irby re-
piled that he had said it and added: Il
say further that il you hit me, you'll be
hit back"
At this juncture Editor Applet rushed up
to McLaurin and told him he would have
reply. Charles Emanuel rushed in and
said to Irby: mo one but a coward would
talk that way" Irby replied that no one
but coward woIld insult guest. Mr.
Purdy and others got the men quoted, the
audience IN the meantime being in an up
roar.
When Irby finished, McLaurin denounced
the charge that he Was in combine as
absolutely false. Irby retorted that he
would prove it. No other candidates APP
peared, and the fast and furious meeting
ended, having lasted only one hour and
twenty minutes