The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-07-06
HOT BLOOD.
The True Southern Spirit DOM
mates a Political Meeting.
the Sensational Cam
paign In South Carolina.
HER STATESMEN CLASH
Ex-senator Irby Calls Senator
McLaurin ga Ring-Streaked
Striped and Speekled Politician
AS Usual, Nobody Hurt.

Sumter. s. c.. July 6-The first meet
| ing of the campaign for the Democratic
! nomination for United States senator
to fill the place now occupied by John L.
| McLaurin by appointment from Gov
ernor Ellerbee was held here yesterday
and proved sensational in the extreme.
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 was
warmly received and sat down with the
assurance that he had made good inn
preston. Then the storm broke. Tx
Senator John L. Irby was introduced and
for three-quarters of an hour there was
enacted exciting scenes perhaps
have ever been witnessed at a campaign
meeting in this or any other state. Things
looked serious time and time again. At
one time Irby and McLaurin were only
prevented from clinching by interference
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 sally. McLaurin made apt
aside and the cheering was such that
not go on. When Chairman Purdy Quieted
the crowd he started out again by charg-
ing the gathering with trying to howl him
down. He said he knew it was all fixed
in this hot bed of Haskellism and conser-
Vatism- He said he did not 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
fr1I haa rip nd he hot n
not repeat the insulting language. If he
could not be respectful, they did not want
to hear him. The committee was not re-
sponsible for the outbursts of feeling.
Irby replied that they had insulted him
first.
Irby then went and characterized
McLaurin as ring-streaked. striped and
speckled politician. He characterized
him with dishonesty and with being gull
ty of treason and treachery- He said the
foulest conspiracy that ever existed in
this state was now in force and McLaurin
was it's beneficiary.
Finally McLaurIn, who had turned pale.
jumped up and faced him saying: ''Irby
let's have an understanding right here. We
have known each other for time.
You can't accuse me of dishonesty. You
can't insult me in that way" The two
men faced each other. Irby replied that
he had said it and added: 'I say
further that if you hit me youn be hit
back
At this juncture Editor Appel rushed
up to McLaurin and told him he would
have a reply. Charles Emanuel rushed
in and said to Irby: mo one but a cow
ard would talk that way
Irby replied that one but a coward
would insult a guest. Mr.. Purdy and
others got the men quieted, the house be-
ing in an uproar. When Irby finished
McLaurin denounced the charge that he
was in a combination as absolutely false.
Trby retorted that he would prove it. No
other epithets were applied though Irby
said that other charges would be filed
and the meeting ended having lasted only
one hour and twenty minutes.