The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-07-08
IltRY ON POLITICS.
Seventy Per Cent. of the Democratic
Voters arc Against the New Fan
gicd Notions OF rejection.

glcd Notions OF Protection.
Special to The News and Courier.
Ex-Un nitcd States Senator Irby came
to Columbia this morning on an cxcur-
sion. He was accompanied by his son,
and took things easy while in Colum-
bia. He has been mentioned as II Son
ato"ial possibility, and was interviewed
TO lind out where "he was at" Col.
lrby talked pleasantly about things in
general, and was free in what he had
! To say. When the interview approach
cd an expression as to whether or not
he would be Il candidate in the aD-
preaching primary he said in advance
Ihat ne wanted to be excused from an
sworlng any personal questions. Then
he was asked whether he would be at
the Sumter meeting, and said that no
one could tell what would happen in u
few days, and he could say that there
would bc candidates AT Sumter for the
first meeting.
Col. lrby talked very freely about
the position he understands Senator
McLaurln to have taken, and said that
he had been Il close observer of the
people OF this State, and he was salts
fed that 10 per cent. OF the Democratic
voters still stood for true Democratic
principles and that did not include any
protection tendencies. He said that
up In Laurens County any candidate
VINO was not simon pure Democrat as
he viewed it could not get a bakers
dozen IN the county. He said that he
belonged to the "only" crowd, that is,
varlil Tor revenue only, and that in his
opinion the party was fooled when
that word was left out, as the main
attention was conferred on the financial
issue.
Coz. Irby says that he is very much
amused at the explanation given by
those who wanted protection OF any
sort for the South, and says that it re-
minds him Of II fellow seeing another
stealing beef and telling the thief
that II he does not give hir. II quarter
OF the beef he will tell on him and stop
hlm from getting any more. Col. Irby
said that he had been urged by his
friends from all parts of the State to
make the race, but would not say
whether he had reached any conclu-
sion or not, or what he had said to
| these friends. He thinks that the dis
pcnsary matter will be one of the prom
lnent issues OF the campaign, and is
| much surprised at certain events in
this connection.
N case Col. lrby makes the race he
is going to float the Democratic ban.
ner, and says that it will be the old
time style, as he is true Democrat
he said he does not believe in all OF
the new tangled notions that have re
Gently been started, but the old line
Democratic principles are good enough
Tor him, and that they are what 20 Del
cent. OF tue Democratic voters believe
in. Col. lrby says that as is known, he
has done much to keep the white peo
pie OF this State in the Democratic
line, and while he is to large cxtcnt
responsible for the split there has been
in the politics in South Carolina he
has done his full share in keeping the
Democratic party intact.
! IRBY WILL BE IN THE RACE
| The Columbia Register says that
Senator lrbys room throughout the
day was crowded with visitors, friends
and politicians.
Senator lrby, before leaving the city,
said :"The REFORM movement, of which
| was member in 1890, was a simon
pure, genuine Democratic organiZn-
tion, pledglng itself in writing to sub
nit all OF is demands to the decision
OF that party, and further plcdging It's
nOnOr to abide its result. Upon this
express condition, the Democrats of
the State turned the machinery Of the
party over to the leaders OF the IL ,form
movement. The members of the Re-
torm organic alton believed in 1890 that
their cause was right and Just, and
they see no reason to change their
minds now. While the people were at
work and unsuspccting, they have been
betrayed. An attempt Is being made
to deliver them into the hands OF their
enemy who fought them from the begin
ming until now. To consummatc this
treachery, they have precipitatcd a
canvass on the State in the hottest and
busiest months in the year, when the
result of the primary, which has been
called at most, is merely a suggestion
10 the Legislature which meets in Jan
uary, 1898. There is no election fol-
lowing this primary. 1t could have
been held, If the convenience of the
people had been consulted as late as
December, when all could have heard
the discussion and participated in the
primary without the least inconven-
lcnce. In short. the enemies OF the
fS11orm movement expected a drag
race. In this thcy are going to be mis-
taken. 1t looks as il the colOrs OF the
teiorm movement are trailing in the
dust, and no one is willing to take them
up and bear the brunt Of battle. The
people are rs firm in their convictions
as 1n 1890, and those who expect an alb
jcct surrender OF the Reform forces,
'iit wi o"ihiJ oS
but, Senator" intcrposed the re-
porter, are you going to make the
race ?"
TO this Col. Irby replied very signif.
cantly:
ut does not suit me to rc-cnter poll
tlcs Tor many reasons. | will gladly
yield to any true blue Reformer, but If
he does not appear, will do so, let
consc sequences be what they may"
In connection with this, it may be
stated that the report that Senator
lrby and Gov. Evans had buried the
hatchet is true. They met yesterday
at the Grand Central and had long
anu pleasant chat, and many Of the
visitors who called were quite sur
prlscd to see the crstwhilc political
enemies getting along 50 swimmingly.
WHAT is THOUGHT IN WASHINGTON
The Washington correspondent OF
the Columbia State makes tho follow
| ing statement as to how Jrby's candida
| n h.. l.. r