Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-02-08
DIR, STRAITS FAREWELL.

DR.. STRAITS FAREWELL.
On another page is published an ad-
dress from DR.. T. J. Strait, late OF
Washington, D. c., soon of Lancaster,
Is. c., and who, during all the long
period that the Fifth congressional dis
trict has been without representation
in congress, has been engaged in the
manufacture of "Tomato Fig Syrup"
at salary of $4,000 per annum.
The ENQUIRER has not been asked
to reproduce this address; but since it
is only the second authentic published
utterauce of DR.. Strait-the first
having been a single short speech in
the Congressional Record-it is en-
titled to at least as much publicity as
possible, especially in the Fifth con-
gressional district, where the people
have recently gotten so we'll acquaint-
ed with the author. In our reference
to authentic public utterance, we de-
sire to be thoroughly understood. The
doctor has indeed talked from time to
time from the stump; but it has been
our observation that no stenographer,
however expert, whether friend or foe,
or other newspaper reporter, has ever
been able to so report him that he
could afterward acknowledge what be
said. This last communication which,
with the exception of such changes as
were necessary in spelling, punctua-
ton and grammar, bears all the ear
marks, characteristic of the doctors
previous efforts, and in that it is evil
IDENTIFY genuine, has peculiar interest.
1t seems to US that great many
people of York county have heard,
and great many more have read,
what DR.. Strait has to say before. 1t
was on the occasion of a memorable
campaign meeting in the courthouse
at Yorkville. John L. M. Irby, John
Gary Evans and S. G. Mayfeld-the
two former of whom were at heart
mortal enemies-had combined them
selves for the destruction of Mr.. Nc
Laurin, who had been appointed to the
United States senate and who was
then before the people asking for their
approval of his appointment. And
DR.. Strait was there. He was not a
candidate for the United States senate,
and he had on hand no campaign OF
his own. Just why he was present
was not perfectly clear but those
best in a position to know, suspected
it was on orders of Colonel John L. M.
Irby, who had originally placed the
doctor in a position, the like of which
no man of less capacity had ever filled
before.
What occurred in the courthouse
on that memorable occasion is still a
matter of fresh recollection. Having
previously come to realize that he was
not in the race, Mayfeld said his say,
acknowledged the foul ISLANDERS he had
pronounced against McLaurin, apol-
ogized for them, and did the only
thing by which he could hope to retain
his Observation-Disclosures from the
race. John Gary Evans made the
supreme effort of his life. 1t was un-
doubtedly the most forceful speech
that he had ever attempted. Many
who had never entertained anything
but the liveliest contempt for his gen.
eral character, were forced to admire
the gameness with which he plead his
cause. Then followed McLaurin.
There had been no wild enthusiasm !;
but the audience was intensely inter-
ested. Indeed it was moved to the
heart. Several preconcerted unsuc-
cessful efforts to stampede it had only
proven that instead of being carried
away by sympathies, it was sitting in
solemn judgment on the issues being
tried. Mr.. McLaurin, with sincere
frankness, answered all the accusa-
tions that had been hurled at him, and
then discussed national issues in a
manner that gave the audience an idea
of the merits of his claims on the high
position to which he aspired.
Few who were present ever witness
ed such scene before, and not many
of them will ever likely be present at
such another. They do not occur
twice in the same generation. But
the climax, it will be remembered,
was yet to come. The clumsy, lum-
bering DR.. Strait had been sitting all
the while, trying to find place to get
in with the part he had been assigned
to play. Suddenly he broke loose like
mad bull in a china shop-that is,
fguratively speaking-and charged on
McLaurin. 1t is not necessary to re-