The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-06
A CAT AND DOG Time
The Regulation South Caro-
lima Political Row.
S6sufeS
WANT II ss'1SuOo 10 dlq!1F
McIlAURIN AND IRBY DEFY AND
DEFILE ONE ANOTHER.
UNPARALLELED SCENE OF EXCITEMENT
Mel aurin is Followed by Irby Whom the Crowd
Insult and Refuse to Hear--lrby Makes
Charges of Conspiracy
Against Mclaurin.

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.
MclLaurin, by appointment, from Gov
Ellerbee, was held here to-day and proved
sensational in the extreme. 1t opened
quietly in the Opera House, which was
only comfortably filled.
County Chairman Purdy, introduced
Senator McLaurin as the first speaker.
The Senator's address was conservative.
He paid tribute to the memory of Sena-
tor Earle and gave an account of his own
political stewardship. Mr.. McLaurin
wSs warmly received and sat down with
th4 pleasing assurance Of having made q
gobd impression. Then the storm broke.
E4- United Senator Senator John l.. M.
Irpy was introduced, and for three-Quar-
tefs of an hour were enacted as exciting
sdanes as perhaps have ever been wit
messed at a campaign meeting in this or
aI}y other State. Things looked serioue
thine and again.
lat one time Irby and McLaurin were
only prevented from clinching by inter-
ference of those on the stage. Irby in
his speech applied the severest language
to McLaurin and he came to the front.
when Irby rose, the cheers for McLaurin
Were deafening. He made an opening
rally, McLaurin made an apt aside and
the cheering was such that Irby, despite
repeated efforts. could not go on. Then
when Chairman Pnrdy queted the crowd,
h fa1 hu oh hn
crowd with trying to howl him down.
He said he knew that it was all fixed in
this hot bed of Haskellism and conservat-
ism. Pretty soon he said he did not care
How many of these city henchmen tried
to prevent him from speaking. Chair
man Purdy advanced then and said that
it was their desire to give Irby a re-
$pectful hearing and he asked that he
not repeat that insulting language. II
ne could not be respectful, they did not
want to hear him. The committee was
not responsible for the outbursts of feel
ling. Irby replied that they had insulted
him first.
Irby went on then and characterized
McLaurin as a ring-streaked, striped and
speckled politician. He charged him
with dishonesty and with being guilty of
reason and treachery. He said the foul
est conspiracy that ever existed in this
State was now in force, and McLaurip
was the beneficiary.
Finally McLaurin, who had turned
pale, jumped up, faced him, saying:
'lrby, let's have an understanding right
.here. We have known each other some
ime. You can't accuse me of dishonesty.
! You cannot insult me in that way"
The two men faced each other Irby.
repeated what he had said and added:
| II say further that if you hit me you'll
| hit back"
| At this juncture Editor Applet rushed
| p to Irby and told him he would have
q reply. Charles Emanuel rushed in
| nd said to Irby: "No one but a coward
would talk that way
Irby replied that no one but a coward
would insult a guests. Mr.. Purdy and
theirs got the men quieted, the house be-
ng in an uproar.
When Irby finished, McLauriR de-
nounced the charge that he was in
combine as absolutely false. Irby re-
orted that he would prove it.
No other candidates appeared, though
Irby said that other pledges would be
filed, and the fast and furious meeting
ended, having lasted only one hour and
wenty minutes.
/ Irby Announces that he is in the fight
to succeed McLaurin and that he will
make an active campaign for the Senator
ship and stay inthe race until the end
Iovernor Evans has decided not to coa-
est for the place.