The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-07-22

AS to his absence from the Fifty
third Congress. Col. Irby explained by
saying that he and Senator Butler ab
scnted themselves to break quorum
and keep the Senate from repeating
the Sherman purchasing clause. II
was u tilibuStering measure. He was
always on hand to cast his vote.
AS to his absence from the Fifty.
second Congress, Col. Irby said that
was Presidential election year and
he was at home as State chairman
| looking after the interest OF the party.
You all know the CONSERVATIVES
didn't know they were whipped, and
they were planning to capture the MAY
| convention. Tillman was running for
e-elcction. We wanted the delegates
to the Chicago convention. | was sent
there, and this passing back and for
"aro accounts for much Of my alb
sence." BESIDES, continued Col. Irby,
ne was paired on all political Qucstions
On other questions his "pair" would
always ascertain by telegram how he
stood.
senator McLaurin again returned to
the Congressional Record. After n lit
tic he asked: "Do you want to elect
man to the Senate to represent the
State and then lot him absent himself
to run oil the parties Of the State ?"
!rhy-" have quit that now
Yes, because the people have quit
YOU" answered McLaurin.
Col. lrby, getting permission to in
tcrrupt Senator McLaurin, jumped on
him for his affiliations with SO many
parties. He again excused his alb
sences from the Senate on the ground
OF sickness and death in his family.
Senator McLaurin continued on this
aggressive line for q willie longer and
then proceeded to make his usual tarill
speech. Ills speech in all lasted about
two hours. 1t was frequently applaud
ed and the crowd evidently favored it.
Before taking his seat, McLaurin took
a hand primary on his tarir views.
About one-half showed their approval
by voting. IT, was after O'clock whom
Senator McLaurin had concluded. The
audience at once began to leave tho
court house for dinner.
Then Mr.. Maylield arose to speak
MIR. Mayii.ld made his characteristic
ahti-dispensary speech, but in addition
said that after introducing his bill for
its abolition he had had conference
with Governor Ellerbc. The Governor
asked him to withdraw it, which he
did. Mr.. Mayticld said that inasmuch
as McLaurin charged him with being
in combination that he would say
McLaurin is the appointce of the Gov
ernor and Governor Ellerbe declared
to him (May yficld) that he would back
McLaurin with the whole force Of his
administration. Ellerbc urged him
not to run, saying they intended to
iavor new party composed OF con-
scrvative Conservatives and cOnscrva-
tive lteformers.
by the time SIr. John Gary Evans
turn to speak camo around the crowd
,,l Il t., a.,
his usual tariff sdeech and in it severe
ly attacked McLaurin for his views.
Hc read favorable comments from Re-
publican papers. Evans charged that
McLaurin had never been faithful to
his friends. Had it not been for Nc
Laurin, he asserted, Judge Wallace
would now be a jus tice on the supreme
bench. Whilc he was working for him
McLaurin was knitting him for Pope,
in order to get Pope's place as AttOr-
ney General. When he was running
for the Senate last year McLaurin
knitted him, he declared.
McLaurin, who had just returned
from dinner, said that he had helped
Evans in his race for the Senate. His
defeat was due to lrby having forced
him, as Governor, down the peoples
throat.
Evans declared that the lie was out
somewhere. Then McLaurin sat silent
A lively spat on McLaurin's vote on
the tariff bill ensucd. The crowd lis
toned attentively. There was decided
evidence Of vindictiveness towards
Evans, while The crowd chccrcd Nc
l4aurin at every opportunity.
When Evans finished the crowd be-
gan to call for McLaurin. He declined,
however, to respond.