The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-07
SECOND DEBATE NOT SoUALLY
IRBY AND MLAURIN SPEAK AT
MONCIx'S CORNER.

Declares That lie Has Not Changed
His Sentiments since 1855 ana
That He Is StllI a True Blue Re-
former.
Monck's Corner. s. c., July 6.-The Sec
ond of the senatorial campaign meetings
was pitched on very different plane from
the first gathering at Sumter.
Today, as yesterday, there were only
two speakers---Senator McLaurin and ex-
Senator Irby. The three other candidates,
ex-Gov. Evans. State Senator Mayfield
and John T. Duncan. were not present.
Mr. Irhy was quite indisposed. on ac-
count of the heat of yesterday, and spoke
briefly. Mr.. McLaurin spoke for over an
hour with the approval Of the audience.
There were absolutely no offensive person.
allties between the two candidates.
What there was of criticism was polit-
ical and acceptable. Mr.. Irby said there
has been no change in his political sent
lments since 1886 and that now. as then,
he was a true blue reformer."
He wanted 1t understood that he pro-
posed conducting his campaign as he saw
best, He spoke at length of his support
to the reform movement and urged that
he has always been the friend of the poor
and toillng masses. He had taken the
position that no man with a white face
should be disfranchlsed by the constltu-
tional convention of which he was a MEM
ber. His views were antagonized by 9TH
ers and brought him opposition. Later on
he was opposed because he refused to go
as a possible "bolter to the national
democratic convention. Although offered
position, he refused to consent to act
as a national Independent by placing him
self in position to bolt under any circum-
stances. He did not run for reelection
to the Senate, for fear Of IL disorganlzlng
and running the structure he had helped 10
build, but thought 1t best to fold his arms
and wait until he would be understood
He said in the Earle-Evans race he did
not vote in either primary.
He went on to explicitly explain why he
entered the senatorial race, which, when
anaIyzed, is that he had been invited TO
make the fight as a ture reformer and
democrat. and that as no one else was
apparently going to make such a fight he
felt 1t his duty, in response to a general
appeal, to make such a race. He never
favored strife although always a reform
er, and did not now do so, but he was OPP
posed to any combinations. He felt that
such danger now threatened the people,
and that he was always on hand in a
crisis OF the people, and he was going to
show the dangers ahead. He said he
would not have entered the race but for
solicitation, and when at Sumter he look
ed in vain for Messrs. Talbert, Latimer.
Wilson or Strait, all of whom he regarded
as true exponents of reform and the peo-
pes interests. Without dsrespect to any
one and none to his opponent, he
said 1t was unsafe to trust poll.
ticians long. They would frequently
tested, and he would trust only about %
per cent of the best politicians, and the
people should watch them. He looked to
the people and not the politicians for
votes. This elected much applause. He
said that he did not believe the conserv-
atives were going to back up Editor Con-
zales In strangling the will Of the people
By fixing things before the primary. The
reformers have a right to suspect any
reformer Mr.. Gonzales champions, and he
said that Mr. Gonzales had never seen
any good in reform, and had fought Till-
man and himself, and would continue so
to do.
Mr.. McLaurin was regarded by this edi-
tor as an available candidate" and he
argued at length that the democrats had
had enough OF supporting republicans as
available candidates" He called upon
Mr. McLaunn to repudiate support as an
available candidate" He again referred
10 what he regards as the weak policy of
Gov. Ellerbe. His speech was several
times applauded.
When Senator McLaurin got up 20
speak, Mr.. Irby asked to be excused, but
Mr.. McLaurin asked him to remain a mo
ment, and then Mr.. McLaurin said he was
delighted 10 meet Mr.. Irby on the plane
Of to-day's speech and II they could keep
II up, and he would do his part, there
would be interest and benefit In the cam
paign. He said he would be the last man
TO rob Mr.. Irby Of what he had done for
reform or the people, but that the fight
now was on other and national issues and
he thought he was right on these, and
Mr.. Irby thought he was right In his
opinions. He had also done his share in
the work for reform when II took fighting.
He was to-day as staunch a reformer as
ever, but this did not prevent his seeing
good things about others or IN assocating
with honest and true men. His work In
congress had thrown him out OF touch
with the local politicians and he knew
nothing OF combines. He vowed he knew
nothing OF, and had never suggested, a
combine with Mr.. Gonzales or any one
else. and as Mr. Gonzales was ar honest
man he would have resented such prop
osition. lie said Mr. Gonzales had laud-
cd the speech OF TillmRn on the afmor
plate fraud and gave credit where de-
served. The Greenville News favored
Mr.. Irby more than any other candidate.
and Il was time for Mr.. Irby 10 repudlata
tho assistance OF Goldbug Editor Ban
Mr. McLaurin said he would repudiate
Editor Balls support, and called him a
ban OF vanity and vitriol. When Mr.
Tllman ran he would have 10 20 before
the people az he did. IL seemed strange
10 hear people talk OF his hghting Mr..
Tiliman, when the defeat OF his tariff
views meant that OF Mr.. Tillman, who
agreed with him.
The real and striking merit OF MIR. Nc.
Laurin's speech was IN his exposition OF
his tarin views, ana he took Il up In a
pockc tbook manner 20 as 70 meet his an.
dience. which was deeply Interested IA
his night for q duty on yellow pine, cross
ties and rice. Mr.. McLaurln made a mag
nihcent logical presentation OF his views
which he urged were In the interests OF
the pocketbook and resources OF the
south
lie said that he was 10 closely IN touch
with the people OF his district that he
would not lose twenty-five votes in some
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