The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-07-10
ate, as Stokes wanted to run himself.
Mr.. Evans then read the following
from the Yorkville Enquirer:
STOKES VIC I.ATJMER

Among the speakers at IirZan, on
Aug. 3, 1900, was Mr.. A. G. Latimer,
The Enquirer had no personal repre-
sentative at that meeting, but got Its
information of what occurred from
different people who were present.
Among other things Mr.. Latimer was
reported to have claimed much credit
for his effort in behalf of rural free
delivery, and many Of his hearers ul-
derstcod these claims to infringe
achievements that they knew belong
ed to DR.. ]. William Stokes. This
writer was at the time serving tenn
porarily as the Yorkville correspond
ent of the Charleston News and Cou-
rier, and told of the circumstance re-
lated, in that paper. A few days
later there came a letter from DR.. J.
William Stokes, and although we do
not care to give all of it at this time,
we'll beg permission to introduce the
following as Exhibit A"
Orangeburg, S. c., Aug. 10, 1900.
Mr.. w. d. Grist, Yorl;ville, S. G.
Friend Grist: l see by your report
in the News and Courier, Of the Tir-
zah meeting, that Mr.. Latimer has
heem at IL dEdln. IL
friends were as effective as you In
this sort of thing. 1 would have no
need to defend my title. Your hit on
the picture enlarging business was
a centre hit. Several others equally
appropriate-organizing free junkets
among members, placing his kins-
folks in the government service, and
having his farm set in grass at the
government expense and under a gov
ernment epert when the State farm
at Clemson Is but few miles dis
tant. All this is apace with the pen.
itentiary bookcase scandal. With
kind regards,
Faithfully,
J. VIM. Stokes.
All this was so interesting that the
writer was constrained to ask DR..
Stokes for more substantial details. at
the same time giving assurance that
nothing the doctor would write would
afterward be used to his embarrass-
ment as a public man. In reply Dr..
Stokes said that all the matters in
quired about were Of common know
ledge in Washington, and some OF
them are of public record. The letter
covers four pages; but for the present
one CT two short extracts introduced
here as Exhibit B." will suffice:
Orangeburg, S. c., Aug. 21, 1900.
Mr.. W. D. Grist, Yorkville, S. c.
- = The party in question organ
lied a junket to Cuba, and also one
to Due West from Washington a cou-
pie of years ago, and many smaller
trips to New York and Niagara for
family and friends. On many, or most
of these, he was persistently urged to
20. It was urged that it would not
cost anything-until plainly told the
party that that was my chief objec-
ton to going. He also had sent
me an annual pass over one OF
the great trunk lines, which l re-
turned. have heard of others whose
scruples Of this sort were overcome by
him. If any controversy
should arise, and I am called upon to
testify, will not finch; but / don't
care to appear in the role Of inform
ant, even though it be as to matters
of public record. Faithfully.
]. VIM. STOKES.
After these letters had been read
more than a year ago they were care
lessly thrown aside; but when Mr.. Lat
inner made his vicious attack on the
Enquirer at Tirzah some weeks back
they become of renewed Importance.
and it has required tedious search to
bring them to light again. They con-
tain some additional facts that are
quite interesting, but which for the
present will keep as we'll as others
would have kept II Mr.. Latimer had
conducted himself with becoming cir
cumspection at Tirzah.
AS to Mr.. Latimer's daim that he
had no concern in this photograph en-
larging business, we beg to differ. We
are willing to concede his right to sell
pictures on the floor of the house. AS
congressman from the third district he
is not our district representative; but
when he asks for the privilege as the
representative of all the people in
South Carolina, to sell pictures to SEN
ators, we insist upon our right to pro-
test.
Mr.. Evans said that Mr.. LatimeI
stated at Marion that the railroad CON-
pany furnished them a train to come
down to South Carolina to hear Bry-
an speak. I'VE all known" said Mr.
Evans, that the railroads all hate
Bryan and would not do anything for
him" 1t was a true junketing trip got
ten up by Latimer for himself and
friends.
Mr.. Latimer did not attempt to in
terrupt Mr.. Evans. Mr.. Evans then
took up the trusts and scored the Vir-
ginia-Carolina Chemical company, say
ing We need another revolution in
South Carolina to get the corporation
lawyers out Of the State senate. He
on, sIrhn hnacf aA