The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-06-02

Thomas in bis school at Charlotte, n
G., until he graduated in 1880. John
was noted more as a lasebalis' and
boxer than as a student. though his
natural qoickness and aptness ena
bled him to stand we'll in his classes
He then went to the University o.
Virginia and took the law course, and
in 1882 went to Bennettsviiie and
began the practice of law.
He sung oot his shiugle Sooa az
opportunity cane aloug 10 the shape Of
cases brought against 80 road hands
known s:ace as the Hebron road cases
It.wss a kicd Ct fued 10 the county.
Tae prosecution employed all leading
attorneys 10 .be county. including the
present ass;sfa6t attorney general Of
South Carolina. ez-Judge Townsend
Mr.. McLautiD was alone for tue de-
tense aud many had advised the &C
cused TO plead guilty. After Eve days
of legal fighting, NJ McLaurin WOO
10 every case by appeals to the jury,
the law and evidence and prejudice of
the people being against bin
90 the l9sh of Febuarv, 1883. Mr.
McLaurin arried Miss Nora Breeder
of Benoettsville, S. C.. The daughter
Of Mr.. T. J Breedsn, aud niece Of
his law partner. Judge Townsend
They have six children, four girls aud
two boys.
10 1890 he was elected to the legis-
lasure The general assembly was
composed almost entirely of new meu
ard aontained Senator Irby. ex.Govern
or Evans. Justice Gary. Judge, Gary
and many other men who have since
become prominent iu State aud national
affairs; 10 very few days Mr.. Nc
Laurio made speech tha. developed
the fact that be was ooe Of the coming
factors in South Carolioa politics. At
the second term Of the legislature At
tcruey General Pope was elected asso-
ciate justice of the State supreme court
aud Ernest Gary, Congressman Wilson.
d A Towosend aud Mr. McLaurin
we're candidates fo- attorney general to
succeed Justice Poye. McLaurin had
an easy victory, being elected on the
third ballot
During the campaign of 1892 Gov
error Tillman was opposed by ex-Gov-
ernor John G. Sheppard. The main
fight upon Tilmao was. made by Col
Younaos, rho was. a candidate for
secretary Of state. He was very elo
que0t, Aueos and forcible speaker
There were personal differences be-
tween Youmans and TiIlmau.
aud Tiilmsn refused to debate
or recognize him in the cam
paign at all, which threw the fight, SO
far as Ycumans was concerned, npoo
McLaurin. Rarely has such debate
ever taken place in any campaign 10
this State. Il was of such character
as to excite the keenest public interest,
vet the two men came out of it the best
of friends personally. The result ere
ased sucd wave Of public favor for
Mr.. McLaurin that when Mr. Stack
house died 10 June 1892. nothing could
prevent the people of Mr.. McLauriu's
district from elecsing him to congress
10 November following.
Mr.. McLaurin's 8 first u,terances upon
the floor drew great attention to him all
over the country. 1t was bis remark
able eulogy CD his deceased predeces-
sor. Il was uonsual aud drew many
comments from the press.
He came to congress about the time
that Bailey. Bryan. Sibley aud others
of equal note made tbeir entrance upon
the congressional stage and Immediate
ly began to attract attention to himself
as debater. His first fight
vas on the repeal of the
purchasing clause Of the Sher-
man act. His speech was one Of the
very first attacks upon Grover Cleve-
lands policy. It was sarcastic and
pupgent and claimed widespread
attention both at home aaud
10 the country at large. Then durIue
the panic Of 1898. when because Of the
scarcity Of money tbe backs had to
form clearing house association and
issue certificates 10 order to move the
cotton crop. Mr. McLaurin was the
very 6rss man in either branch of cou-