The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-06-29

Col. Thomas n Berry. of Chester, talked
about his re.ord as aa advocate of tempera nee
aud worker 10 the cause, his success as
broke: AMI insurance agent, aod wouad up
By saying that as the Office of Railroad Com.
missioner required the services Of a business
maa, be would &, the place to nicely.
Mr.. Barnard B. Evans, OF Edge6eld, lost 10
time in climbing into NJ. a. R. Thomas coll
lar, and the way ia which be scored hin
pleased the crowd nightly. BE read reso-
luton Mr. Thomss offered in the Railroad
Commission in refs.eace to the fertilizer rate.
Nf. Thomas waniea to reduce the freight
rate on fertilizers. but to recoupe the railroads
proposed to increase the rate on cotton seed
and merchandise. This was an excellent
text and Mr. Evans waded into his opponent.
he charged him with fighting the interests of
the peopl. and champ;oning the railroads.
with calling .der false CO 'ors, pretending to
reduce the fertilizer tax with one hand and
giving more to the railroads with the
other than be bad taken away. BE
ridica:ed with biting. sarcas aud frowning
erimace the Thomas proposition that Rail.
road Commissioners should be civil engineer
and know how to calculate the resistance Of
different grades and determine the amount of
freighta particular engine can haul. The
crowd .cbeered approvingly. He said the
State woa!d not have to appropriate money
10 EDUCATE him to take charge Of the express
and telegraph companies, as hr. Thomas as-
serted it bad done for himself aud his asso-
ciates on the commissioo-he had worked for
the express company and knew what it vas.
When time wss called be was in the midst Of
assuring Xs. Thomas 4 st it would be useless
for any railroad 10 attempt to bny his ser.
vices at ssy price, for be would serve the peo.
pie if they elected him, and render exact JUS
,ice to both the people and the railroads. BE
would not sell bis services to railroad for
any price. even tho Mr. Thomas might sell
his for a paltry $500.
Ar D. q. Tompkile, OF Greenwood, Capt
D. ]. Bradham, Of Clarendon, and Mr. ". K
Cooper, Of Colle,on. plead for votes like little
men All are holding Office now, and they
like what they have SO well that they want
more Of the same sor. of thing.
Mr. Tompkins asked for re election to the
Office of Secretary Of State for third term,
apd Messrs Ceoper aud Bradhsm waat the
same job. Rr. Coope. is member of the
State board Of control with Eve years more
to serve, while Capt Brsdham is sheriff of
Clareadon, aud has held one county Office or
another from time immemorial. pretty
trio Of place nupsess, bat Mr.. Cooper made
the best impression, fo- he was honest aud
candid enough to confess that he wanted the
of6cs because it Is soft snap-a good salary
and little work.
Gen. John Gary Watts strutted around,
read the endorsement of the officers of the 8.
C. Volunteers, told bow be had offered his
services to Governor Ellerbe. but was kept
in the State because be could be of more ser
vice TO bic eoantry and people. he asked for
Two years more.
Col. J. W. Floyd, Of Kershaw ripped Gen.
Watts up the back and ridjculed his preten.
sion tha. the militia bad improved rnder his
administration. Eis tender of his services to
Gov. Ellerbe was cbar.erized as etuf and
subterfoge TO hide behind, for the Governor
had no authority to muster him in as pri.
vale. NJ. Blythe slso came in for portion
Of bis atsessioo 10 this particular. The
crowd called for more when Col. Floyd's time
was up.
Msj E u. Blythe, of G,eenville, recoauted
his military experience foor years at the Cita.
del and three at Clemson as teacher, and
asked fos the votes of the crowd. +
Col. @. L. Scbunpert, OF Newberry, the
6rst G Gubesna.orial Candidate made straight
forward talk in his own behalf, outlining bis
record as democrat, as member of the
Legislature and as Solicitor. he defined lis
position clesr,y snd nades very favorable
impression
Col. R. B. Watson. of s.luda, talked
about the need Of better. common schools for
awhile but spent most Of his time discussing
the State colleges acd comparing them With
the aenomiostiooal colleges His compari-
son vss not f1at.e.ipg 20 the State colleges.
He concluded with reference to the dispen-
sary as the best solution of the whiskey
problem.
Mr. c. Featbersrone, Of Lauress. talked
prohibition and temperance, making an elo-
quent speech. he asked the people to vote az
they pray.
Rev. E L. Archer. of Ssartansurg. rode
the educational horse and gave a catalogue