The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1900-07-04
THE STATE CAMPAIGN MEETING.
Candidates Delighted With Their Reception.
A Large Attendance.

Candidates Delighted With Their Reception.
Large Attendance.
Clarendon did herself proud in the
ELEGANT manner of conducting the
State campaign meeting in Manning
last Wednesday. The speakers arrived
Tuesday evening from Sumter, and they
were met at the depot by a committee
with carriages. The hotels not being
able TO accommodate the entire party.
several private families kindly respond
ed TO the call of the committee, and
aided in the entertainment OF the dis
tinguished gentlemen. This arrange
ment distributed the candidates so that
all of them were comfortably quartered.
and we desire in behalf of the commit
tee to extend thanks and appreciation
to those who so kindly opened their
homes to the visitors.
Wednesday morning the crowd gath
cred from all parts OF the county, and
by time the speaking commenced there
was over 600 people on the court house
square. The merchants, with COM
mendable consideration closed their
stores during the speaking, and County
Chairman Davis. to accommodate the
crowd. had the benches removed from
the court room and held the meeting in
open air. Throughout the entire seven
hours of speaking nothing happened to
mar the occasion: the day was extreme
" warm. and the dispenSary being
closed. the flowing arteslan we'll IN front
of the court house had a monopoly, and
| S;6 o r,,,shiOcr bDSireSS
Rev. P. B. Wells, pastor OF the
methodist church, opened the proceed
incs with PRAYER. and the first speaker
introduced was Governor N. B. Nc
Sweeney. who although placed at the
disadvantage OF having no opportunity
TO reply to the attacks TO be made upon
him by his opponents, acquitted nm
self we'll His speech had an earnest
ring. and not made with that trained
care. which characterized the speeches
of his lawyer opponents. de began oy
saving. that his first political speech
was delivered in Manning four years
ago when a candidate for Lieutenant
Governor, and he told his hearers that
it was impossible, in the time allowed
him to give a full account of his stew
ardship as he would like to do, so that
they could Judge him on his merits, he
would be followed by his opponents.
some of whom would attempt 10 becloud
his administration by making Hlmsy
charges, and assertions which were not
borne out by the records. These hlmSy
charges were only intended TO mislead
and to catch votes. He had done his
duty. and in the performance OF 1t, ne
:, ! = = hn
whole people: that under his admins
tration impartiality and promptnesS
was the rule, there were no sensations
10 blood shed in the execution OF law
and the wheels OF the government were
running smoothly with peace and gooo
feeling pervading the whole State. He
explained the '.Black Report which
through his efforts, has put the State
in a position TO recover from the CnlteC
States government several hundred
thousand dollars due it for war claims
This report had been lost, and none o.
his predecessors had been able to locate
it. it was his good fortune 20 have done
so, bv recommending $500 approprla
| ton. and with this small amount O
money put at his disposal, the State vii
J l
eral hundred thousand dollars. He
paid a glowing tribute to the posslbll
ties which now exist for young men t(
forge to the front, no matter now mum
BILE their environments. all they needed
was character and energy. He referred
. to his own lack of opportunities, ant
, without the aid of a long line OF dlstln
guiShed ancestry. he has made sue
cess of his private affairs. and IN HI
) public life he has engrafted the same
business principles. He was not
trained orator, but q plain business
man. guided in every thing pertaining
: to the duties of his Office. by sound bus
mess principles. At other place:
, his opponents charged that h'
had subscribed to the county news
papers, and paid for same out OF M
contingent fund: this he explained
The governors contingent fund was t
be used in his discretion, and ever,
governor from Hagood down subscribed
to the papers and paid for them III th'
same way. and why: In order TO keel
in touch with the public affairs OF th'
counties he had to read the count,
papers. the grand jury reports, public
notices. complaints against officials ant
other matters which the governo
should be informed upon: it was sill,
charge and should not have any. ettec
upon fair-minded people. In referrln!
to his pardoning power he evoked con
siderable applause when after eNplaln!
r ing the famous ''Pons bigamy case
E and with a show OF feeling he said tha
: Notwithstanding the recommendation!
! for pardon signed by the Solcl
/ tor. county officers and a large numbe
e OF citizens he refused. and would con
!. tinue 70 DO so in all cases where a MAJ
1 had so villainouSly, outraged the lnno
cence of one of South Carolina 5 fan
daughters. This man Pons had mar
n ried young lady in Barnwell county
: and in a short time after the marrlag
. it was discovered he had Il wife an'
/, several children living in Florida. b
made strong plea for the common
schools OF the country. and referred I
: his annual message to the general Is
: sembly how he urge the legislature t
give more aid to this branch Of on
! educational system: his opponents d
:: not dare attack him on the importan
/ branches of the government. but the.
: select and pick out little petty thing
!. which do not amount TO anything. ant
.l =; I III