The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-07-16
the CAMPAIGN MEETING.
Senatorial and Congressional Car
didates Address a Small Crowd.

didates Address Small Crowd.
Several Capital Speeches Made, But Nc
Particular Interest or Enthusiasm
Aroused.
The senatorial and congressional
campaign meeting was called to order
in the Opera House shortly after II
| o'clock Wednesday by County Chair
man Knight. The crowd then num-
bered about 200 and little later when
the audience was largest there were
probably 250 to 300 persons present.
The audience was not enthusiastic; at
no time did the candidates for the U.
i S. Senate succeed in arousing the
crowd to an outburst of genuine, enthu-
siastic applause. The crowd, how
ever, evinced the greatest interest
and the speeches of all the candidates
received the closest attention, every
one showing a disposition to hear the
candidates patiently and to Judge them
on their merits.
Col. George Johnstone, Of Newber-
ry who was the first speaker is decld-
edly the most eloquent and interesting
talker among the candidates. He is
the orator of the campaign party, and
his speech today was, insofar as elo-
quence and purity and elegance of
diction goes, by far the best Of the day.
He discussed the tariff, trust and
Philippine questions in detail and
showed clearly and convincingly that
he has a comprehensive grasp OF the
issues of the day and is Democrat,
and is in accord with the principles
upon which the party rests.
Col. William Elliott, of Beaufort,
made plain, practical talk in which
he referred to his former close associa-
tion with Sumter people when he rep
resented the old seventh district OF
which Sumter was a part. He dis
cussed the tariff and Philippine poll
cies, but devoted more time to the
ship subsidy bill.
MI. John ]. Hemphill, Of Chester,
made a decided impression by his
strong, forcible and logical discussion
of the Philippine, ship subsidy, tariff,
and trust questions. His speech was
filed with Information concerning the
matters under discussion and his pre-
ssntation of facts as well as the dis
cussion of principles showed both a
thorough familiarity with live issues
and his staunch democracy.
Mr.. John Gary Evans, of Spartan
burg, in opening his speech, compared
Mr.. Hemphili to the prodigal son,
who left home in time Of trouble and
returning when the trouble is over
demands the biggest plum in the
gift of the people. He compared him.
self to watchman on the tower and
spoke of his fight against McLaurin
five years ago, when he warned the
people that McLaurin was a Repub-
lican in disguise. He also discussed
expansion, the colonial policy OF the
Republicans, trusts, the tariff and the
ship subsidy, saying of the latter
QUESTION that it was an issue that Will
not be heard of again.
Congressman a. e. Latimer, Of An
derson, is rough and ready style OF
stump speaker and makes no preten-
sions to oratory and eloquence, but
nevertheless makes speech that takes
we'll with crowd. He devoted the
greater part of his thirty minutes to his
record in Congress, telling OF the
practical results he had accomplished
by attending to business and looking
after the interests of his constituents.
Mr.. D. S. Henderson, of Aiken,
was the last of the Senatorial candl-
dates to speak. On account of the
hour and out of consideration for the
patient audience who had remained
until past the dinner hour, he spoke
more briefly than he would otherwise
have done. He made capital speech
on the paramount issues of the day and
outlined his platform, and gave his
views of the duty of a representative
of the people in Congress. His speech
was we'll received and was more gene
rally applauded than that of any OF the
other candidates, both during its de-
livery and when he closed.
Congressman A. +. Lever, of Lex
ington, and Mr.. j. B. Mclaughlin, OF
Orangeburg, the candidates for Con-
gress in the Seventh district, spoke
next, Mr.. Lever having the first
speech. He received the only enthusi-
astic applause of the day and it was
quite evident that he was the favorite
of the crowd. He spoke of his ser
vices in Congress and discussed ma
tional issues briefly for the purpose of
making known his platform.
Mr.. Mclaughlin was not greeted
with applause when he was introduced
and quite number left the house
about the same time, but he soon
caught the attention of those who re-
NAMED and before he concluded was
the recipient Of liberal applause. He
discussed national issues and his rec
ord in the Legislature.
PROCEEDINGS or CITY COUNCIL.