The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-06
MADE M'LAURIN FIGHTING MAD.
,uRy NEARLY PRECIPITATEs A
SCRAP AT SUMTER.

1,oyourin Opens the Speaking and Is
wildly Applauded by the Crowd.
1rby Follows With an Attack in
which He ChnracterizeR McLaurin
asa Ring strealxed, striped and
sDecI1Ied Politician and Impugns
Ills HOnesty-A Fight With Fists
Prevented by Those on the Stage.
Sumter, s. c., July 5.-The first meeting
of the campaign for the democratic nomi-
nation for United states senator to fill
the plece now occupied by John McLaurin
bv anpointment from Gov. Ellerbe, was
held here to-day and proved sensational in
tbe extreme. II opened quietly in the
onera house, which was only comfortably
filled. Chairman Purdy introduced SEN
ator McLaurln 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. McLaurin was warmly received and
sat down with the pleasing assurance of
having made a good impression.
Then the storm broke. Ex-United
states Senator John L. NJ. Irby was in
troduced and for three-quarters of an
hour was enacted as exciting scenes as
perhaps have ever been witnessed at n
campaign meeting in this or another
state. Things looked serious time and
again At one time Messrs. Irby and Nc.
Laurin were only prevented from clinch-
b,v {,,fa IF On fa
Mr. Irby in his speech applied the sever
est epithets to Mr.. McLaurin, and he
came to the front. When Mr.. Irby arose
the cheers for Mr. McLaurin were deafen-
Ing. He made an opening sally, Mr.. Me-
Laurin made an unimportant remark
aside, and the cheering was such that Mr..
Irby, despite repeated efforts, could not
go on.
Then when Chairman Purdy quieted
the crowd, he started out again by charg-
ing the 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 of these city hench-
men tried to prevent him from speaking.
Chairman Purdy advanced then and said
that il was their desire to give Mr.. Irby
q respectful hearing, and he asked that
he not repeat that insulting language. If
ne COulQ not De respectful, Iney OtQ not
want TO hear him. The committee was
not responsible for the outbursts of feel
ing.
Mr. Irby replied that they had insulted
him first. Mr.. Irby went on then and
characterized Mr.. McLaurin as a ring
streaked, striped and speckled politician.
He charged him with dishonesty and with
being guilty of treason and treachery. He
said the foulest conspiracy that ever ex-
listed in the state was that now In force,
and that Mr.. McLaurin was the benefici-
ary
Finally Mr.. McLaurin, who had turned
pale jumped up, 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 men faced each other. Mr..
lrby repeated what he had said and add
ed: II say further that IL you hit me
youA be hit back
At this juncture, Editor Appel rushed
up to Mr. Irby and told him he would
have reply. Charles Emanuel rushed
ID and said to Mr. Irby, mo one but
coward would talk that way"
Mr. lrby replied that no one but a cow
ara would insult a guest.
Mr Purdy and others got the men qui-
eled the House being in an uproar.
MT lrby finished and Mr.. McLaurin de-
nounced the charge that he was in a COM
oue as absolutely false. Mr.. Irby retort-
ed that he would prove it.
40 other candidates appeared, though
n' lrDy said that other pledges would
oe MED, and the fast and furious meet
@ ,us ended having lasted only one hour
ana twenty minutes
Mr irby announces that he IL i'm the
bsul 10 succeed Mr.. McLaurn, and that
~ VIII make an active campaign for the
g''vIShip and stay in the race until the
Du' ,' Gov. Evans has decided not to con-
TEST for the place.
Oo'umoia' S. C., July Sat 1880 O'Clock
O'nght John Gary Evans and John T.
Duncan' the men who made such a bitter
anu sensational canvass in the senatorial
p..mary last summer, filed their pledges
N"1 entered the race for the senatorship