The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1898-07-14
SOUTH CAROLINA CAMPAIGN.
Hot Words Between Commissioner
Thomas and Gen. Gray
P0KES FUN AT CLEMSON.
Col. Whitman Furnishes Barrel of
Fun--Governor Ellcrbe Defends Ills
Appointments--Mr Feathcrstone's
Plea for Prohibition.
KINGSTREE MEETING.

KISGSTREE MEETING.
The gathering was fairly large one,
there being between 800 and 400 per-
sons present The crowd seemed to
manifest more interest in things polit-
ical than at any of the preceding meet
ings. The proceedings were devoid OF
excitement or interesting features.
Concerning Col Watson's charge that
he had weakened on the dispensary,
Governor Ellerbe read q letter from
from Gen. Barber, stating that he had
never said that the Governor was ready
to give up the dispensary. AS for
abclishing the profit feature, this
was also the view taken by the father
of the law - Governer Tlllman.
Col. Tillman said he was running for
Governor on an economical platform.
He criticized Governor Ellerbe for
raising the State tax, and attributed the
defcito waste at Clemson. Ii the
people would wipe out the abominabie
tyranical dlspensary the counties would
not have to borrow money. Col.
Schumpert said he offered himself as
candidate for Governor because he be-
lieved he could give the people better
administration than they are now bay-
ilg. Gcl. Watson avowed that he was O
temperance man who had no use for
liquor, bUt the people wanted liquor
and the ou,r tning to do was TO mltl-
gate the evil. Mr.. Featherstone pro-
hlbition s. cecil was very attentlveiy
listened to. Senator Archer said lie
was candidGte for Governor
because south Caroline had
never educated the masses.
Six Of the would be railroad commis-
sioners addressed the meeting
sell, Evans, Garris, Sigh, II Nmas and
Gray. CandidateG q. Duncan Bellinger
had the distinction OF being compIl-
mentarilv introduced by the chairman.
The other candidates for Stat offices
who spoke were Messrs. Epton, Brad
ham, Tompkins, Floyd, Watts, Rice.
Brown and McMahan. Mr.. j. t. FL
lerbe and Congressman Norton, candl-
dates for Congress in the Sixth district,
made their first speeches in this cam
paign. Col. William Elliott a s can
didate for Congress from the F.r-t dis
trict, stood on his record.
FLORENCE MEETING.
Commissioner Thomas and Con.
Gray had an alteration on the stand
which forebodes a personal combat.
Mr.. Thomas branded one OF
Gen. Gf4v's statements as a falsehood
and the latter promptly advised him
that he would attend to him on the
outside. Solicitor Bellinger said that
while he was not an advocate OF
prohibition, like his opponent was, he
was prepared to enforce whatever laws
were placed on the statute books.
Col. Geo. S. Mower, of Newberry,
made his appearance on the stump for
the first time in this campaign. He
fovored prohibition because it was
right, expedient and best for the peo-
pie. Candidate Epton said that he was
the candidate of his friends for comp
troller general. His opponent came
from the sixth district, which already
had thirds of the State Offices.
Comptroller Derham regarded this as
a compliment to the district, but de-
clared that Horny had never had
place in the picture. Candidate Berry
said that the railroads looked after
their own pockets, but if elect
ed commissioner he would advo-
cate measures to relieve the people.
ComlS ssioner Thomas stigmatized
Gen. Gray's statement that he had
voted against the interests Of the peo.
pie, either as absolutely false, and
he knew it was false, or he did not
have the sense to comprehend the
matter. Gen. Gray came forward with
q pale face and fire in his eye. 81 will
say to this man, said he glaring at MIR.
Thomas, IF he will accuse me of max
ing false accusations outside OF this
court house / will make him regret it. "
Gen. Watts made statement covering
his tender of services to Governor
Ellerbe, saving that he had
made an unconditional offer.
Col. Floyd declared that if Watts had
been willing to tear from his collar the
stars and bars and enter the ranks he
would have found the chance without
having to apply to the Governor. Mr..
Blythe made dignified speech illus
trating his military training and educa-
ton. Superintendent of education May
field rehearsed his official record and
showed what strides had been made
during his incumbency. Mr.. Brown
made practical speech on the needs Of
the common schools. Mr.. McMahan
was witty and earnest in his treatment
of the subject. Col. Rice's speech was
gem, replete with wise and thought
full suggestions for propagating educa-
tion and building up the character of the
children. Uncle George Tillman
spoke in spicy and interesting man
ner. 1t was false that he wished to de-
stroy Clemson, but he made fun Of the
extravaganza there. Clemson spent
100000 year to teach boys to hoe
AMI plough, and at the same time it had
thirty-three convicts between them and
work, just as in slavery time We had
negroes between US and the sun. He
e1coriated the dispensary and was ap-
plauded literally. Col. Schumpert's