The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-06-26
THE STATE CAMPAIGN
First Day Discussion at Sumter
Good Feeling.
At BaHlberg

3,
here, though without special features,
deserves certainly to be called a good
one. The audience numbered about
400 representative citizens.
The candidates were all in good
form, and spoke with force. The at
tention was good. Entire harmony
prevailed. The only spice during the
day was injected in the speeches of
MesSeTs Gunter and Stevenson. Mr..
Brooker insisted on an investigation
of the tax books Of the State. Mr..
Jones insisted that the books were ali
right. The Issues discussed were
about the same as in the former
meetings.
At Georges.
Georges, Special.-The campaign
meeting was representative one in
every respect. A fine audience heard
all the speakers, and gave them the
best attention.
The speakers who are aspiring TO
fill the various State Offices discussed
the issues about as heretofore, the day
showing no new developments.
AT Charleston.
Charleston, Special-At O'Clock Sat-
urday. afternoon the candidates. re-
freShed by Charleston's salt sea breezcs
good nights rest. some Good fare.
gathered at Hibernian Hall, where tire
meeting was to be held Chairman
James H. Thayer called the melting 10
order with brief remarks. The hall
was well filled, the audience being lar
ger than is usual here.
Chairman Thayer presented MIR. U.
E. Martin as the first speaker, candl-
date for State superintendent OF Edu-
cation. Mr.. Martin began throwing bo-
quets at Charleston, great metropolis
of South Carolina" which was kept up
by each candidate. Mr.. Martin gave his
reasons for desiring the office and was
applauded when he paid tribute to Nc
Mahan's zeal and work and also when
he said it was time for a change. To
a question by Mr.. McMahan. do you
not know from Prof. Cook, Of the State
board of education, that adoption OF
text books was made without nay
knowledge" Mr.. Martin replied that
he did not know how my friend or
Mr.. Cook voted, but he would not have
voted for such a wholesale adoption
To the further question by Mr.. Mc&.a-
han, DO you not know that the Gov
ernor, in entire disregard OF my wish
es, appointed this State board?" Mr..
Martin replied affirmativeiJ. Mr.. Mar
tin was heard with interest and closed
with applause.
Mr.. John j. McMahan was next in
troduced and was greeted with hearty
applause. Mr.. McMahan is perfectly
fair and square speaker and began by
saying nice things about Charleston, to
whose claims he had never been indif-
ferent. He would not discuss issues,
but principles and purposes Of educa-
t!onal work. Educated thought and
sentiment, he said, make character,
manhood and womanhood. Education,
the foundation of all that makes a
State great, grand and glorious. He
would rather improve the education Of
the people than anything else. There
are two classes Of citizens, he said, one
who only thinks Of what is popular-a
drag upon public improvement and pro-
gress. His first and only purpose is
to try to do something for my State"
He said he had faith in the people,
trust in their breadth and progressive
ness. "Our public school system was
inaugurated under carpet-baggers in
1868, not by the best men Of our State.
Now is the time to lok for improve
ment, to see necessary changes, to hon.
estly try to make the office better" He
closed in the midst Of sentence, with
his full share Of applause.
Candidates for office of Comptroller
General came next, Mr.. N. w. Brooker
opening. He made pretty much his
same earnest speech, charging gross ir-
regularities in this office, and said he
would quit the race before Intentionally
hurting anyones feelings. He said he
would continue to expose Irregularities
here. In previous report 1t was stated
that Mr.. Brooker said Mr.. Derham. if
either one of his two clerks was elect
ed, would" be chief clerk. when ne
meant to say, could be chief clerk.
Mr.. A. W. Jones, the next speaker,
showed the Importance OF this work.
its details extending into every depart
ment of executive work. Mr.. Jones
wastes no time in words, bat SAYS
enough to show his fitness for the CT
fee.
Senator W. H. Sharpe came next and
made taking speech. lie was not n
any way connected with the office njT,
he said, although he soon expected to
be and would administer such laws as
were enacted by the Legislature. He
received cheers and applause.
Mr.. G. L. Walker, modest speaker,
but forcible in sincerity of utteranCe
and knowledge of his subject, came
next. Again he gave recital OF tha