The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-07-14
Peacsabls and Quiet.
McLaurIn aud Irby the Only
Candidates Present.

t4k S1Sk IL 0.Y VAA$ >>eA~J
Candidates Present.
Monks Corner. S c., July 6-The
second Of the Senatorial campaign
meetings vas pitched on very different
plane from the frst ga.beriog at Sum
Ter. To-day, as yesterday. there we're
only two speakers. Senator McLaurio
and former Senator Irby The three
other candidates, former Governor
Evans, State Senator May6sld aud Mr..
John T. Duacan. we're not present.
Gel. Irby was quite indisposed. on ac-
couot Of tue heat yesterday, aud spoke
briefly. Mr. McLaurin spoke for over
an hour. with the approval of The au-
dience. There were absolutely no of
fensive personalities between the Two
caadidateS What there vas Of crlti-
cism wss political ard acceptable.
Col. Irby said that there had been
no change 10 his political sentiments
since 1856. aud that now. as sheo. be
Was sssrue blue Reformes." He want
ed il understood that he proposed con-
ducsiog his campaign as he saw best.
He spoke at length of his service to the
Reform movement. aud urged that be
has always beeo the friend os the poor
and .oiIing masses. he had taken the
position that no man with a white face
should be disfranchised by the coussitu-
tsonal convention of which be was a
menber. His views wefs aatagonized
By others aud brought hin opposition
Later on he was opposed because he re-
fused to 60 as possible boter'' Co
the National Democratic convention.
Although offered position. be refused
TO consent to act as national iodepend-
ent By placing himself 10 position to
bolt under any circumstances He
did not ruu for re election 20 the Senate
for fear of it disorganizing and rnining
the structure be had helped to build,
but thought it best TO field bis arms and
wait anti: he would be understood.
He said that 10 the Earle-Eyans race be
did not vote in either primary.
He went on to explicitly explain why
he entered the Senatorial race, sbicb.
sheo analysed, is that he has been
invited to make the fight as true Re-
former and Democrat, aud that as no
one else sas apparently going tt makp
such fight. he felt it his duty, 10
response to general appeal, to make
such a race. He never favored strife,
although always a Reformer. aud did
not now do so. but be vas opposed to
any combinations. He felt that such
danger nov threatened the people.
aud be was geing to show the dangers
ahead. He said be would not have en-
tered tue race but for solicitation, aud
when at Sumter be looked 10 vain for
Taibert, Latluer. Wilson or Strait, all
of whom be regarded as true expopents
of reform and the peoples interests.
Wishou: disrespect to any one. and
noue to his opponent, be said it was an-
safe to trust politiciane long They
should be frequently tested. aud be
would trust only about twenty per ceos.
sos the best politicians. and the people
shoald watch these He looked to the
people. and not the politicians. for
yoses. This elected much applause.
He said that he did not believe the
Conservatives were going to back up
Editor Gonzales in s,rangling tie will
Of the people by fixing things before
sbe primary. The Reformers have a
right to suspicion any Reformer whom
Mr.. Gonzales chaperones, and he said
that Mr.. Gonzales had never seen any
coed 10 Reform. aud fought Tilluao
aud himself. aud would continue SO to
do. Mr.. McLaurin was regarded by
this editor as an ''available oaodidste." ("
aud be argued at length that the Dem
ocrass had had enough of supporsin g
Republicans as available candidates. .
He called upoo McLauriu to repudiate
support as an available candidate. /"
He agaio referred to what be regards
as tue weak policy of Governor Eller5e.
His speech was several times ap-
plauded
Wheo Senator McLsurin got up to
speak Col. Irby asked to be excused,
bot Mr.. McLaurin asked him to re-
main q moment, and then Mr.. McLau-
rio said be was delighted to meet Col
Irby 90 the plane Of to days speech,
and if they could keep it up land be
wonld DO bis part, there would be 10
terest aod beoe6s in the campaign.
He said be would be the last man to
rob Col. Irby of what he had dooe for
reform or the people, but that rhe fight
was. uew on other aud national issues,
aud be vas right on these, aod Col