The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-07-07
Opening Meeting Of Senatorial Cam.
paign Proves Red Hot.
Special TO atlanta Journal.

Special to atlanta Journal.
SUMTER, S. c., July 5.-The campaign
for United States Senator in South Caro-
lima was formally opened here to-day
with the first meeting of a series of 40 to
be held in the various counties of the
State.
On the 3lst of August the people will
vote in a primary election for their choice
and the candidate who gets a majority Of
the votes cast will be the next United
States Senator.
1t may happen that no candidate will
get a majority of all tho votes, and in
that event the race must be run over
again. This happened last year. In the
first race between Earle and Evans the
latter got q plurality, running ahead of
General Earle, but as he did not get more
votes than all the rest combined the low
est man was dropped (there were three in
the race). and On tho second trial Earle
was victorious.
The Legislature is in honor bound to
choose as Senator the candidate who is
successful in tho primaries. This is in
accord with the constitution of the Demo-
cratic party, and it virtually amounts to
a popular election OF United States Sena-
tors. The Legislature that will carry out
the popular verdict this time Is already
chosen.
It was about half-past l o'clock when
the meeting began in the Sumter opera
house. The lower floor OF the theatre
was we'll filled but there was q total lack
Of preliminery enthusiasm. The audience
consisted of town and country people,.
Although it was Independence day, there
was not the sound Of q firecracker in the
town. Everything was quiet and order
ly, the calm before the storm.
Senator McLaurin was the first speaker,
County Chairman Purdy paying a tribute
to Senator Earle's memory and pleading
for a campaign on O high plane, before
introducing him.
McLaurin was received with much ap-
plause. He denied that he was mixed up
in any combination or had made pledges
to any man or set of mon, defying his
opponents to prove anything to the con-
trary. He also paid q tribute to the
memory Of Senator Earle. He endorsed
the primary plan and said it prevented
trading. he hen gave an account Of his
stewardship, speaking at great length.
AS he proceeded the house filled up and
there was a good crowd which gave him
very careful attention.
When McLaurin had finished ex-United
States Senator John L. M. Irby rose and
was introduced. Then for three-quarters
Of an hour there was enacted as exciting
scenes as perhaps have aver been wit
messed at a campaign meeting in this or
any other State. Things looked serious
time and again.
At one time Irby and McLaurin were
only prevented from clinching by the in.
reference of those on the stage. Irby, in
his speech, applied the severest language
to McLaurin, and he come to the front.
When Irby rose the cheers for McLaurin
| ~ lno Fanfrr III wade nv o~n-s~-
sally, and McLaurin made an apt aside,
and then the cheering was such that Irby,
despite repeated efforts, could not go on.
Then when Chairman Purdy Quoted the
crowd, he started out charging the crowd
with trying to howl him down. He said
he knew that it was all fixed in this hot
bed of Haskellism and Conservatism.
Pretty soon he said he didn't care how
many of these city henchmen tried to
prevent him from speaking.
Chairman Purdy advanced then and
said that it was their desire to give Irby
a respectful hearing. If be could not be
respectful, they did not want to hear him.
The committee was not responsible for
the outburst of feeling. 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
treason and treachery. He said that the
foulest conspiracy that ever existed in
this State YVES now in force, and McL.u-
rim was its beneficiary. In this vein he
went on for some time.
Finally, McLaurin, who had turned
very pale, jumped up and faced him,
saying: "Irby, let's have an understand
ing right hero. We have known each
other some time. You can't accuse me
Of dishonesty. You can't insult me that
way" The two men faced each other.
Irby replied that he had said it, and adj
ded, 81 say further that if you hit me you
will be hit back"
At this juncture Editor Applet rushed
up to McLaurin, aud told him he would
have a reply. Charles Emanuel rushed
in and said to Irby, "No Il but g cow
ard would talk that way"
Irby replied that no one but a coward
would insult a guest. Mr.. Purdy and
others got the men quieted, the house
being in an uproar.
Irby won't. on to say that n. G. Coma
les was McLaurin's chaperone; that Con-
zales had Governor Ellerbe hypnotized./
He continued in a like vein to the end.
When Irby finished, McLaurin de-
nouncod the charge that he was IN q COM
blne with Gonzales or anybody else as
absolutely false. Irby retorted that he
would prove it.
No other candidates appeared, though
Irby said that other pledges would be
filed, and the fast aud furious meeting
ended, having lasted only one hour and
twenty minutes.
No n seems to know who the other
candidates referred to by Irby will be.