The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-12-20

l.
and his activity on the floor and the
| energy and force OF his personal ap-
peals changed an imminent fiascu into
u potential success. The conversion bv
him OF few votes In favor Of the 'sug-
gestlon' secured the nomination OF Till
| man Tor governor, thus furnishing the
| hitherto disorganized forces with O.
| leader and giving tho movement q
name, battle cry and solidity. The
broken ranks which were practically
closed and reorganized by him moved
on from that day to the Overwhelming
victory In November. Had there been
no movement, there might have been
no Irby, but had there been no Irby it
is equally true that there would have
been no organization"
H,s ability to organize the forces In
the "March convention" placed him Ia
charge OF the campaign, and he was
the field marshal who carried Tillman
TO success. AS chairman OF the exeou
Ive committee Of the reform move
nent In 1890, he was "Tillman's lieu
tenant" and his knowledge Of State af-
fairs and Of people, his political acumen
and sagacity and his acknowledged
fidelity TO the Reform party made him
next in prominence to Tillman.
Ii" was reelected to the Legislature
in 1880, and became Speaker OF the
House. man OF ability, OF fine up
pearance ADD Of good voice he was
capable to I'll the position.
What has by some been regarded as
great poll ical crime on the part Of
the II form movement was the defeat
~ Wade Hampton for ro-.l loot on 10 the
Onltcd States Senate. When Gen.
dampton's terms expired In 1890, lrby
was elected to succeed him. Irby's
career in the United States Senate
cannot be said to have been us brillap,
as was eXD 'cted after the cam
pn'gn OF the IL form movement.
H. made his maiden political speech
IN the United States Senato during the
debate on the repeal OF the purchasing
clause OF the Sherman law. He 0p
posed t"e position takon by President
Cleveland and his cabinet on the silver
Issue. In the tariff fight he twice held
tho balance OF power, and though dis
approving OF some features of the
| measure, he voted with the Democrats
70 save lhem from ignOmlnious defeat
When Congress Latimer and
Strait were blacklistod and classcd ne
PopuIsts by the postotlico department,
Senator lrby made spirited defence
Of them before Wilson S. Blssell, post
master general, and had them restored
To their rights as Democrats. Irby was
bat 81 Y. nrs old when he took his seat
III the United S'utes Senate on the
same day that w. j. Bryan was sworn
into the House Of II representatives., and
Like Bryan, he WAS an advocate of tho
free coinage Of silver. In 1892 he was
delegate AT large to The national
- ;mOcratic convention at Chicug0,
which nominated Grover Cleveland for
president.
Senator lrby was q member OF the
constitutional convention Ia 1885
There, as In the State l. ,gislatur.,, li,.
declined to take part in partisan and
foolhnrdy legislation, and was engaged
at times in spirited debates with other
| leaders In that body. 1t was his fate
cause tho displ"asure Of Senator
Tillman, and In 1896 ne did not stand
Tor re. election.
In the summer OF that year, there
was heated campaign between Gov
John Gary Evans, Judge Joseph H..
E .rle and Mr.. John II. Duncan. Judge
Earle won the nomination in the prl-
mary, but had hardly taken his scat
when he was cut down by death, and d
career OF usefulness ended and life Of
promise fell short OF it's possibilities.
John l.. McLaurin Congressman from
The sixth district, WAS appointed by
Governor e lerbo to temporarily supply
the vacancy caused by Senator Il .rie's
death. An election was held. Evans
vas again II candidate, as was Nc.
Laurin. lrby this time became q Gun.
dldate, but he lost and McLaurin was
chosen.
This Was Irby's first acknowledged
political defeat, and he then retired to
| the practice Of law at Laurens. He has
repeatedly refused TO be sent to the
Legislature or TO become u candidate
Tor governor, as he was urged TO do
last spring. He has been unusually
successful In his law practice lately
and has been retained In several not
able cases. Ho has had associated
with him In his practice since 1896 two
young lawyers, Il A. Cooper, E:q.,
and II. e. BAbb, e q.
II WAS the last OF the Laurens
c..ders Of the II form movement. G.
w. Shell, who Issued the manifesto
which brought about the March con.
vcntion OF 1880, eerved two terms 10
Congress and died last year. Hugh B.
and aspired 10 succeed, She'll in Con.
gress Gen. Farley died In 1897. Sen
atOr lrby Ia the last Of the three.
About four years ago he became In.
terested In the ancient order OF ma.
sOnry and st the time Of his death was
high priest of Rising Sun chapter, No.
q, Royal Arch Masons, Of LAurens. II
was his purpose to go higher in ma.
sOnry. ssaHe
He was Interested in number OF
enterprises in Lsurens and was a
whole souled, public spirited man. In
that community he was personally
very popular, having q magnetic charm
which brought friends to him and his
fidelity toward others kept his friends
true to himself. A friend In writing
OF him several yours ego said "The
salient characteristics Of Irby are q
keen and clear insight into men and
measures, and the ability to take com
prehensive view OF situatlon or 40
emerg ency. Although OF On impetuous
nature, he is cool and deliberate In the
face Of danger. His sagacity and pru.
dence in political emergencies, his un,
! ~, a