The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-08-13
Campaign Meeting at Providence

candidates and the enlightment OF the
voters, many Of whom are anxious to
ascertain why the candidates are seek
ing Office and why the voters should
vote for them, was held yesterday IN a
pleasant and shady grove Of oaks a
short distance from Dalzell station.
The crowd Of two hundred or more
that had gathered to hear the speech
es, represented not only the Providence
neighborhood but four OF more neigh
boring townships, the city of Sumter
and Privateer. There were many Ia
dies present and they we're as interest
ed listeners from first to last as any OF
the ballot-holders. The candidates
were glad to see the ladies and they,
without exception, laid posies of elo-
ouence-more or less-at the feet Of
the fair visitors.
The meeting was called to order at
Ii O'Clock by Col. ". D. Scarborough
who presided until relieved by Mr.. j.
B. Raaeld.
Senator r. I. Manning who was the
first speaker said that it was not his
purpose reeite his official record nor to
blow his own horn, but would say
that ne had taken inactive interest In
all measures for the benefit of Sumter
county, that the interests of Sumter
county had always been his first con-
sideration, and that on general ques-
tions he had taken an active part in
the debates.
Having no opposition the people
have no opportunity TO vote for better
man and they Will have to take me
as / am. It might seem unnecessary
TO make an address, but thought it
was due the people to at least make a
statement of his position. CONNER
;cial democracy is not an issue, it has
been relegated to the rear for all time.
The success OF this political movement
would have marked the decadence of
the fixed and true principles of the
democratic faith and would have been.
a sad day for the south.
The dispensary is not now an issue,
for by common consent it is agreed
that attic present stage, the dispen-
sary system is the best practical means
devised for reducing the evils Of the
liquor traffic.
No question is of more Importance
than that OF regulating the trusts.
The magnitude Of the combinations of
capital have startled the world: the
necessities of life are now in the
hands of the trusts and the price is
fixed without reference to the laws Of
supply and demand. The evil grows
greater day By day and is menace to
people and country, and in another
aspect the menace Of the trust evil is
still greater-the control. of state and
national legislation by the money of
the trusts and the consequent debauch-
ing of public morals. Nothing short
of revolution can wrest power from
the trusts and no means have yet been
devised to regulate them. The best
suggestion yet made for the destruc-
ton Of the trusts is to remove the tariff
from all articles made or controlled by
the trusts. He regards the trust cues
ton as more national issue than a
State, and Congress must take action
against them. However he pledges
himself to work for any proper meas
ure TO control and regulate them by
State Law.
The State colleges should be main
tanied and kept abreast Of the times
in the line of work they were created
TO do. There should be no eztraya-
gance, however, and appropriations
should be made only for actual needs.
He is an earnest advocate of improve
ment of common schools. There is al
ready sufficient Law, and improvement
must come largely from the efforts OF
County Superintendent of Education
and the trustees. Local taxation that
gives the people of a school district
control of the money raised is one
means of school Improvement, and it
is well settled proposition that
money canrot be better spent than on
education.
His record on the good road question
was known to all and he was glad to
see so general interest in matter of
sorital Importance. In his opinion the
county should be laid off in sections
and road work in each section let out
by contract to the lowest responsible
bidder.
He is opposed to child labor in cot
ton mills and yet friend of the mills
which have done great work for the
State, having benefttd all classes Of