Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-07-30

can have influence. He tells you him
self that Joe Johnson, who has been
there only one term, is the ableSt man
he has ever seen in that body. Ben
Tillman had only been in the senate
twenty-one days when he confoundeo
all the shrewdest lawyers in that body
and saved the country $20,000,00O. Pre-
vious to the war, a South Carolina con-
gressman would not stoop to make such
a deal as is now necessary to secure
an appropriation for the waste of the
peoples money. We can prove that 5oo
of the 374 lawyers in the house are at
torneys for great corporations. ANY
man who would object to representa-
tive because of his profession, is TOO
narrow to be trusted; but we do not
want too much of one thing. Said 1t
was peril, but that the situation would
be as bad If the ministry was the DOM
mating profession. Now if you have a
man running for congress who is far
mer and who Is the equal of one of the
gentleman, 1 submit you should give
him the preference; and l was raised
from a boy between the plow handles.
There are only five representatives OF
our avocation in congress, and what
are you going to do about 1t? Iolo
how Finley was chairman of the ways
and means committee; but that he, a
farmer, who had never made political
speech until he became a candidate
for the legislature, had only been de-
feated for the craftsmanship of the
same committee after thirty-four bal
lots. Told how he had fought and
whipped Ben Tillman in a proposition
to place one Negro on each board or
election commissioners. Said If a man
said his say with intelligence, logic,
conviction, he would not be handi-
capped by lack of experience. The great
masses need representative right from
among the people. Said he could not
expect many votes from York county
because of two candidates; but If there
are any who cannot vote for either or
them, would like them to vote for me.
We now have five doctors in the house
and that is enough to dress the bruises
and heal the broken limbs Of fighting
senators. [Laughter].
w. Blackburn Wilson.
Has never conducted a campaign by
Dragging on himself or detracting from
the merits of his opponents, and never
shall. I believe that all Of you who
know me believe I can do as much for
you in the way Of obtaining better mail
facilities and attending to your business
as any other competitor in the race.
General Floyd is not as much Of far
mer as ! am. I venture that l lost hVe
dollars farming last year where he lost
fifty cents. He tells you Of the dan
ger Of great combinations represented
by trained lawyers, and Is 1t not better
that you should have trained lawyer
to combat them? General Floyd-Mr.
Wilson, did not Ben Tillman confound
the lawyers and save the country $780,
100000? Mr.. Wilson, concede that
Ben Tillman is the ablest representa-
tive from the south; but there Is only
one Ben Tillman in the state of South
Carolina. He may think he is one;
but you do not think so. [Laughter]
Mr. Finley tells you of the value of ex-
perience: but it must be remarked that
he ran against DR.. Strait after he had
been there only one term. Mr.. Finley
I ran against DR.. Strait claiming that
if the people thought me more compe-
tent to represent them, I was entitled
to their votes and 1 stand there today.
Continuing, Mr.. Wilson said 1t was he
who had been referred to as consider
ing the acquisition of the Philippines
as the best thing that had ever hap
pened to this country. I want to say
that I stand on the Democratic plat
form. and will always be bound by
the Democratic caucus: I say the ac-
QUESTION Of the Philippines is God
send to the people of the south. We
are dependent upon cotton alone. We
had already reached the point where
our surplus was q drug on the market.
The acquisition Of the Philippines and
the consequent development of our
trade in China, Oceanica and other Pa
cific islands has already been respon-
sible for an increase in the price of cot
ton. Elaborated the idea extensively,
and showed how American possession
Of the Philippines had enabled us to
have a dominating influence in the set
tlement of the Chinese question and
secure the advantage of free trade
throughout the Chinese empire. Had it
not been for our army in the Philip
pines we would have been shut out of
China. I claim that this advantage
was a dispensation Of providence. Told
of the additional advantage of the 18TH
mian canal and claimed that as the re-
suit Of these developments. the south
land will become the most prosperous
section Of the globe. Discussed the tax
alton question, showing how the per
capita had increased from $3.50 in 1860.
to $40 now, and how such large per
cent. of the money goes to the north
Claimed that this could be reversed by
revision of the tariff; but argued that
so long as protection is the policy Of
the government, the south must look
out for her share. Advocated the re-
moval of protection from all trust
goods, and believes that there is enough
patriotism in the north. east, west and
south to bring this about. Went into
a detailed explanation of the iniqui-
ties Of the beef trust; but explained
how we had no direct interest yet. al
though the time would come when we
would need men capable of handling it.
Spoke Of river and harbor improve
ments and declared the principle both
wise and DemOcratic: but thought more
people could be benefited by spending
public money for the Improvement Of
the public highways of the country,
because this would give us our full pro
rata share of the amount we pay into
the national treasury. If he goes to
congress, he will advocate the idea, be-
cause he believes that in no other way
can there be a more equitable distribu-
tion of the benefits of the government
among the whole people.
This concluded the speaking. and