The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-06-22

and now We are paying Sl17,OOo
therefor, and that is the ca use Of the
100000 deficit in the State treasury
last year and the reason for increas-
ing taxes one-half mill. He was for
taking away the privilege tax from
Clemson college and dividing the
Federal fund of $4,000 between
Clemson and Winthrop, giving them
the same strength as the South Caro-
lima college. This tex was the great
est disgrace upon the administration
that has ever stained the reputation
of South Carolins-as disgraceful as
the despot Of Persia when he assigns
some revenue of q certain city to
some fagorite courier or mistress.
The college collects this tax when it
suits, in Difference to pets and favor
ties. Some men get all the guano
they want without paying anything.
He wanted to be governor on ac-
count of the honor attached to it. 1t
is honor that makes statesmen and
makes men deserve the confidence Of
the people. He finished amid ap-
plause and offers to extend his time.
COL. R. 3. WATSON
was the next speaker and gubernato-
rial candidate. He was greeted with
slight hand clapping. He was 5c
years of age before he ever asked for
an Office. He went to the Legislature
to do something for the public
schools. BE had never left the bat.
tlefeld or been furloughed except
when pierced by a Yankee bullet.
He had always been Democrat and
had never retained Radical negro
in his service.
He declared that Governor Ellelbe
had attempted to ride two horses and
had fallen in the mud. He scored
him for having been weakened on
the dispensary question in times
past.
Col. Watson said be was temper
snce man, but did not believe in coer-
cion. The way to defeat the whisky
monster was to stop drinking whisky.
Take care of the home and the ma
ton will take care Of itself. Put the
Bible on every table and whisky will
have a small chance.
He said be favored higher education
but complained that students were
taken away from the schools too soon.
and that much of the work being
done by the public schools.
"GwAL1" TO THE FRONT.
The introduction of the Rev. g..
Walt Whitman as a candidate foc
governor was greeted by a round
of laughter and good-humored ap-
plause. As usual he made a vigor-
Gus, talk-right-out in-meeting speech,
which had the amused attention Of
the crowd from start to finish.
Mr.. Whitman said he had an utter
contempt for the opinions OF the
politicians, and that he rallied on the
masses to elect him. He declared
that of the educational institutions of
the State the Citadel did more than
all the others. He was in favor Ct
throwing open all the State colleges
to all its citizens. He favored the
dispensary, but not the administra-
t;cn thereof. We have absolutely no
administration, he declared. ''We
have had an administration admins
tered by the politicians and by the
United States government. How
ever, I am not going to kick tie
corpse"
He vigorously combatted the ''an!-
malculae politicians who termed
him crank, saying that where be
was best known he was given the
most credit for having common
sense. Unlike some Of his competi
tors he could not ride two horses at
once, but he did ride a bicycle. ard
on it be was riding right into the
hearts and homes of the people along
the campaign routes. The women
encouraged him, ''ard yet these mis-
erable politicians" said be, shaking
his finger at the aforesaid politicians
"try to make you think I have nc
chance" He declared Watson has 6
weak backbone and pounded Ellebe
in the same strain.
SENATOR E. L. ARCHER
made a vigorous speech denying that
he bad changed front on the educa
tional question. He favored higher
education for all, but the manner il
which it was administered made il
class legislation. He made an elabo
rate review of the histor Of education
Ill / t-[