Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-07-14
THE CAMPAIGN OPENS BOT.
ONLY TWO CANDIDATES AP-
PEAR, BUT THERE
ARE OTHERS.
Irby Grows Personal and He
and McLaurin Nearly
Come to Blows.

SUMTER, S. c., July 5. 1897
The first meeting of the campaign
for the democratic nomination fol
United States senator to fill the
place now occupied Ly J. L. Nc
Laurin by appointment from Gov
Ellerbe, was held here to-day and
proved sensational in the extreme
It. opened quietly in the opera
house, which was only comfortably
filled.
County Chairman Purly intro.
duced Senator McLaurin as the
first speaker. The senator's address
was conservative. He paid tribute
to the memory of Senator Earle
and gave an account of his own
political stewardship. Mr.. McLau-
rim was warmly received and sat
down with the pleasing assurance
of having made q good impression.
Then the storm broke. Ex-United
Senator John L. M. Irby was in
troduced, and for three-quarters Of
an hour was enacted as exciting
scenes as perhaps have ever been
witnessed at campaign meeting
in this or any other State. Things
luokod serious time ald again. AT
one time Irby and McLaurin were
only prevented from clinohing by
interferencs of those on the stage.
Lrby in his speech applied the Sc
verest language to McLaurin and
he came to the front. When Irby
rose the cheers for McLaurin were
deafeling. He made an opening
sally, McLaurin made an apt re-
mark aside and the cheering was
such that I.by, despite repeated
efforts, could not 60 on. Then
wher Chairman Purdy quieted the
crowd, he started out again by
charging tie 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 did not care
how many os these city henchmen
tried to prevent him from speak
ing. Chairman Purdy advanced
then and said that it was their de-
sire to give Irby a respectful hear
ing, and he asked that he not re-
peat that insulting language. If
he could not be respectful they did
not want to hear him, The COM
mittee was not responsible for the
outbursts of feeling. Irby replied
that they had insulted him first.
M'LAURIN MADE ANGRY.
Irby went on then and charac-
,terIzed McEaurin as a ring-streak-
honesty and with being guilty of
treason apd treaehery. said
the foulest COZ le y that ever
existed in the State was now in
force, and That McLaurin was the
beneficiary.
Finally MeLaurin, who had
turned pale, jumped up and faced
him, saying: "Irby, let's have an
understanding right here. We
have known each other some time.
You can't accuse me of dishonesty.
You can't insult me in that way"
The two ,nen faced each other.
[rby repeated what he had said
and added: 81 say further that if
7ou hit me you'll be hit back"
At this juncture Editor Applet
'ushed up to Irby and told him he
vould have . reply. Chas. Emanuel
ushed in and said to Irby: "No
me but q coward would talk that
vay.'. Irby replied that no one
mt coward would insult e guest.
dr. Purdy end others got the men
|uieted the honse being in an up
oar. Irby finished and McLaurin
.enounced the charge that he was
n q combine as absolutely false.
rby retorted that he would prove
t.
No other candidates appeared,
hough Irby said that other-pledges
'ould be fled, and the fast and
nrious nesting ended, having
asted only oEs honr aud twenty
,inutes.
Irby announces that he is in the
ght to succeed McLaurin and
hat he will make an active cam
aign for the senatorship and stay
o the race until the end.
WHERE Is GOV. EVANS?