Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-06
FAST AND FURIOUS.
SOUTH CAROLINA DEMoCRAryo
SENATORIAL MEETING.
IRBY LGAIHSf I'LIURlI
Sensational Charges Made by the
Formcr--AImost a Personal Alter
cation Between senator and Ex.
senator-Audfence Uproariovs.

SUMTER, s. c.. July 5-The first meet.
ing OF the campaign for the Democratic
nomination for United States Senator. -
MI the place now occupied by John L
Mcbaurn. by appointment from GovernoP
Elierbee, was held here to-day, and
proved sensational In the extreme. II
opened quietly. in the Opera-House which
was only comfortably filed. County,
Chairman Purdy introduced Senator Nc
Laurin as the first speaker. The Sena-
tors address was conservative. He paid
tribute TO the memory OF Senator Earle.
and gave an account OF his own political
stewardship.
Mr.. McLaurfn was warmly received.
and sat down with the pleasing as
surance of having made a good impress
sion. Then the storm broke.
Ex-United States Senator John T.. "
Irby was introduced. and for three quar-
ters 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 So
rious time and again. Irby and McLau-
rim were only prevented from clinching
by those on the stage. Irby. In his
speech, applied the severest language to
Mclaurin, and the latter came TO the
front.
When Irby rose the cheers for McLau,
rim were deafening He made an open-
ing sally, McIaurin made an apt aside,
and the cheering was such that Irty, de-
spite repeated efforts, could not 20 on.
Then, when Chairman Purdy quieted the
crowd, he started out again by charging
the crowd with trying to howl him down.
He said that he knew that IL was all
fixed In this hot-bed OF Haskelism and
Conservatism. Pretty soon be said he
did not care how many OF these city
henchmen tried to prevent him from
speaking Chairman Purdy advanced.
then. and said that 1t was their desire
to give Irby respectful hearing and
he asked that he should not repeat that
insulting language. IL he could not be
respectful. they did not want 10 hear him.
The committee was not responsible for
the outbursts Of feeling. Irby replied
that they had insulted him first.
IRBY's CHARGES.
Irby went on then and charact erize<z
McLaurin as a ring-streaked, striped and
speckled politician. He charged him with
uiSHOicoly anu VI DttHB Bulity Oh tredsOU
and treachery. He said the foulest con-
spiracy that ever existed In this State
was now in force and McLaurin was the
beneficiary. Finally. McLaurin, who had
turned pale, jumped up and faced him.
saying: 'Irby, let's have an understands
ing 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 repeated what he had said. and
added: II say. further that IL you hit
me, you'n be hit back"
At this juncture Editor Applet rushed
up TO Irby and told him he would have
reply. Charles Emanuel rushed In and
said to Irby: mo one but II coward
would talk that way" Irby replied that
no one but a coward would insult guest.
Mr.. Purdy and others got the men quiet
ed the house being In an uproar
When Irby finished, McIaurir de-
nounced the charge that he was In q
combine as absolutely false. Irby ro-
torted that he would prove IL.
No other candidates appeared, though
Irby said that other pledges would bo
filed, and the fast and furious meeting
ended, having lasted only one hour and
twenty minutes.
Irby announced that he Is In the fight
to succeed McLaurin and that he will
make an active campaign fos the sena-
torship and stay I'm the race until tho
end Governor Evans has decided not to
contest for the place.