The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-06
RED-HOT POLfIICIL MEETING.
DisgracefuI Fight over the south Carolina
SenatoIsh ship.

SUMTER. 5. G., July 5.--The first meet
ing of the campaign for the Democratic
nomination for United States senator.
TO fiji the place now occupied by John
/. McLaurln, by appointment from GOV
ernor Ellerbee, was held here to-day, anu
proved sensational in the extreme. IL
opened quietly IN the Ope-A-liouse, "hih
was only comfortably illed.
County Chairman Purdy introduced
Senator McLaurin as the first speaker
The Senator's address was conservative.
lie paid tribute 10 the memory of Senator
Earle. and gave an account Oh MS own
political stewardship.
Mr.. McLaurin was warmly received. ard
sat down with the pleasing assurance Of
having made a good impression. Then the
Storm broke.
kX-United States Senator Jonn '. NJ.
Irby was introduced ana fer ihree-qnai-
ters OF an hour was enacted as exciting
scenes as perhaps have never been VII
messed at a campaign meelng IN mis-
or any other State. Things l0OIel seriots
time and again. Irby and Mclaurn we've
only prevented from clinching by those Oh
the stage. Irby, in his speech. applied the
seyerest language TO McLaurin, and he
came to the front. When Irby rose, the
cheers for McLaurin were deafening.
lie made an opening sally. McLaurin
made an apt aside, and the cheering was
50 great that Irby. despite repeated cf-
forts could not go on. Then. when Chair
man purdy quieted the crowd. he started
out again by charging the crowd with
trying to howl him down. lie said that
il was all fixed IN this hot-bed of Has
kellism and conservatism. Pretty
soon, he said. he did not care
how many OF these city hench-
men tried TO prevent him from
speaking. Chairman Purdy advanced then
and said that IT was their desire TO give
Irby respectful hearing. and Le as ked
that he not repeat the insulting language.
II he could not be respectful thy All ut
want 10 hear him. The committee vas
not responsible for the outbursts of feel
ing. Irhy replied that they had resulted
HIM first.
Irby went on then and characterized
McLaurin as a ringstreaked. striped and
speckled politician lie charged him with
dishonesty and Of being guilty Of treason
and treachery. lie said the foulest con-
spiracy that ever existed in this State
was now in force. and McLaurin was the
beneficiary Finally McLaurin, who had
turned pale. jumped up faced him, say
ing:
"lrby. lets 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 men faced each other Trby
repeatda what he had said and added:
II say further that II you hit me you'n
bo hit back
At this juncture Editor Applet rushed
up 10 irby and told him he would have
a reply.
Charles Emanuel rushed IN and said 10
Irby. No one but coward would talk
that way
lrby replied that no one but coward
would insult n guest Mr.. Purdy and
others got the men quieted the House be-
Ing I'm an uproar. When Irby finished.
McLaurin denounced the charge that he
was i'm a combine as absolutely false.
irby retorted that he would prove it.
No other candidates appeared though
lrby said that otner pledges would be
nlled. and the fast and furious meeting
ended having lasted only one hour and
twenty minutes.
Irby announced that he is in the fight
10 succeed McLaurin. and that he will
make an active campaign for the Sena-
torship. and stay in the race until the
end
GOV. Evans has decided not TO contest
for the place.