The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1899-06-14
those who are Of the opinion that con-
servative Reformer is in the State Ex-
ecutive Office.
A SKETCH OF THE ovERNoR.

ecutlve once.
a SKETCH OF THE GOV ERNoR.
The following carefully prepared
sketch will be Of interest to the many
friends Of Governor McSWeeney just at
this time:
The Hon. NJ. B. McSHeeney, the
subject of this sketch. can truly be re-
ferred to as .self-made man. He was
left fatherless at the age Of 4 years
his father dying Of yellow fever in
Charleston.
Yonng McSweeney' g struggles for a
livelihood began before he reached his
10th year. He sold newspapers and
clerked in book store. While clerk
ing he attended a night school, and be-
came very fond Of reading ard writ
ing.
While in the book store he met Mr..
Augustine Ford, member Of compa-
ny that had just begun the publicati IN
Of a paper known as the Gazette. This
was in 1867.
McS@ceney afterwards worked for
Burke & Ford, job printers. From
there he went to Edward Perry's, where
he completed his apprenticeship as a
job printer. At this time Washington
and Lee University, Of Lexington, Va,
had ofered'a scholarship to the Char
lesion Typographical Union, which was
to be awarded to the most deserving Of
the young men then employed in Char
lesion printing Offices. By majority
Of votes Of members Of the Union young
McSweeney was chosen and the schol-
arship given to him. On account Of
the lack of means he found that he
could not pay for his board and cloth
ing, and was obliged, after spending
part Of session, to give up his desire
fo:a collegiate education. Like all
good typos at that time, he was a union
printer, and served Columbia Typo
graphical Union as corresponding Sec
retary and afterwards as president.
He was among the first to sign the
roll for reorganization Of the Phoenix
Hook and Ladder Company, and served
as secretary of the company for num-
Der Of years.
McSwceney's record as Democrat is
well known, and he did faithful work
for the party in 1876.
McSweeney moved to Ninety-Six, in
Abbeville County, and commenced the
publication Of the Ninety. Six Guardi-
an. This was his first business yen
ture. He had capital Of S65, and
purchased secondhand press and out
fit for $500, paying s55 cash as first
payment.
But he had energy and was good
workman and gave the people newsy
paper, lived economically, and in the
course Of year he paid every dollar
that he owed.
On the 22d Of August, 1879, the first
issue Of the Hampton County Guardian
appeared, and it has been published
ever since by Mr.. McSweeney. The
paper has been well managed and is
looked upon today as one Of the best in
the State. Mr.. McSweeney has ever
been foremost in everything calculated
to help his town and county.
He is regarded as one Of the best
business men in his section, ano has
been successful in every undertaking.
His progressive spirit is seen in differ
ent parts Of Hampton, and he has de-
veloped and improved every lot pur-
chased By him in that town.
He has shown his confidence in
Hampton county and her people by in
vesting every dollar he has made in his
county.
The school house in Hampton was
built by money loaned to the town by
few citizens. The resolution was offer
ed by Mr.. McS9eeney at a public
meeting and it was unanimously agreed
to-.
AS intenl lent Of the town he after
wards saw every dollar Of Indebtedness
paid. He served for FIVE terms and
then declined reelection.
Mr. McS@eeney also took prominent
part in building the Metho5ist and Bap-
tist churches. He not only .contribut-
ed literally. but solicited subscriptions
in Augusta and Charleston.
McSweeney has always been promi-
nent in politics and has been twice
honored as delegate to the National
Democratic convention.
At the first St. Louis convention in
1888 he voted for Cleveland and Thur
man, and at the Convention in July,
1896 he voted for Bryan and Sewell.
He served the Democracy of his
county for ten years as county chairman
declining in 1894, when he was elected
to the Legislature.
He has alWaystaken great interestin
the military Of his State, and was on
the staff Of Gen. Stokes and Gen. Moore
with the rank of major and lieutenant
colonel, and is now on the Governors
staff, with the rank Of colonel. During
the last two session MS of the Legislature
he was chairman Of the committee on
military.
Mr.. McSweeney takes keen interest
in all educational matters, and is
trustee of the South Carolina College
and member of the board Of visitors
of the Citadel.
He is a member Of the Orders of
Knights Of Honor and the Knights Of
Pythias, and has been honored by both
organizations.
Mr.. McSweeney is a member Of the
State Democratic executive committee,
and has been for a number of years. He
was for eight years president Of the
South Carolina Press Association.
Mr.. McSweeney was married on the
18th day Of July, 1886, to Miss Matte
Miles Porcher, and their nnion has
been blessed with six children.
The Altgeld Plan.
The plan Of ex Governor Altgeld to
fight the trusts is to have the govern
mont ro into huSiness as a truSt. A