Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-07-16
THE CAMPAIGN IN OCONEE.
CANDIDATES FOR STATE OFFICES SPEAK
TO ABOUT THREE HUNDRED
CITIZENS IN THE COURT HOUSE:
The Speakers Given Respectful Hearing and
the Speeches Heartily Enjoyed.

some three hundred representatives OF
Oconee's Democracy. Several ladies
graced the occasion with their presence.
1t was quiet and orderly meeting, and
Oconce maintained hcr good name for
fair play and giving every speaker a
respectful hearing.
County Chairman f. M. Cary presided
with becoming dignity and introduced
tho various speakers in a happy manner.
The meeting was called to order at half
past 10 o'clock. The proceedings were
opened with prayer by Rev. j. Stock,
ID. ID. The first speaker was Col. John
II. Sloan, candidate for Lieutenant Gov
ernor. He made good use of the seven
minutes allowed for his speech; paid his
compliments to tho ladies; spoke of the
local ties by which he is bound to the
people of Oconee. His great-grand-
father lived on Cane creek and fought
the Indians. He served through the war
between the States; was Senator from
Richland county for eight years and a
member of tho Constitutional Conven-
ton; favors the dispensary as best solu-
tion of the liquor question:; voted for the
establishment of Clemson College and
Winthrop. Believes in supporting all
our higher institutions of learning, but
especially wants to improve the common
schools; wants good roads and legisla.
tion to help the farmers.
speaker. He was fluent in presenting
his claims to the Office of Lieut. 'nant
Governor. He was Il member of the
House of Representatives from New
berry. In 1890 lie introduced "Jim
Grow" car bill; favored biennial sessions
of the Legislature; believed in education
and wanted to improve the common
schools; had voted for an appropriation
of $780, 900 for the free schools in addi.
tion to the 3 mills constitutional tax
would support all State colleges; favored
liberal appropriations for the Confede.
rate soldiers; said he voices the senti-
ment of the younger generation in giving
help to the old soldiers; advocated dis.
pensary in 1892; wanted the dispensers
to vote for him; he had been endorsed
by his county convention.
Hon. Frank Il. Gary, of Abbeville, was
the third and last candidate for Lieuten-
ant Governor. He was making his cam
paign on high plane; did not indulge
in mud-slinging; felt that he was well
qualified for the discharge of the duties
of the office; he had been Speaker of the
House of Representatives for six years
AS boy he saw service in tho House as
bill clcrk. lie was familiar with the
ways of legislation; had not fought as a
relatives did their part, and he was
proud of their record They had not
been rewarded, and as a son of q Con
fcderate soldier he was entitled to con.
Sideration. lie stood on his own merit,
however, and plead his personal qualifi,
cation for this high office. 1t is an hon
orable office and in this race he was
responding to the promptings of an hon
orabe ambition.
Hon. w. f. Stevenson, candidate for
Attorney General, said he was born at
the foot of the Blue Ridge in Nortl,
Carolina. He felt at home among the
mountains; had been practicing law fif-
teen years at Chesterfield Court House.
lie felt it cncumbent upon him to make
this race, as he had a laudable ambition
to stand in the front rank of his profes.
sion; has been u member of the House
OF Representatives for six years, and two
years Speaker; had done much to in
crease the appropriations for pensions
and schools, especially common schools
took the lead in legislation for tho com
plction of the State House; thought he
was qualified for the discharge of the
duties OF the Office. He made II strong
speech and closed amid applause.
Hon. u. y. Guntcr, the only other can
didatc for Attorney General, followed in
n lively seven minutes speech. He has
been Assistant Attorney General four
years; has argued over one hundred
cases before the Supreme Court; has
written quite volume of opinions on
various questions presented to the office.
lie wrote an opinion on the school chart
fraud three years ago which saved the
State 500 600 for the public school fund
was six years secretary of the State
Democratic Executive Committee The
State was now engaged in far-rcachinr
and important litigation with the Vir.
ginia Carolina Chemical Company The
regulation of the trusts and com mbinations
was big question. On his affidavit the
pending action against this rich corpora.
tiOn had been started.
The candidates for Secretary of State
were allowed five minutes each in which
to present their claims.
Hon. j. Harvey Wilson, of Sumter, was
making the campaign on q high plane
lie is farmer, and successful one.
when boy he left college and enlisted
as a confederate soldier, fighting through
the war. He was endorsed by his county =;
had served in the Legislature, and
thought he was we'll qualified for the
Office to which he aspires.
Hon. j. Thomas Austin, of Greonville,
felt that he would be elected. The long
est pole knocks down tho persimmon,
and he is the longest man in the race.
iio is Democrat of the old school; be-
lcyes in the people ruling; favors better
public schools; it means work and not
rest to hold public office; was a Nom
Der OF the Legislature for ten years.
lie closed happy speech by asking them
to vote for the "long man."
Hon. j. Il. CAN'T, Of Spartanburg,
thought the Office of Secretary of State
was too important to be given as a pen
sion to any man. AS an expert ac-
countant he had been instrumental in
saving considerable money for the State
Corporate franchise fees should be a
source OF revenue for the State govern
ment. Such fees in New Jersey paid the
expenses of the State administration
This source of revenue should be in.
creased so that tho State levy could be
reduced one-half, and the burden of
direct taxation thus reduced.
Hon. X. III. Jennings was unable to be
present, and Chairman Cary read let
ter from him explaining his absence,
and asking that he be not forgotten as a
candidate for Secretary of State.
The candidates for Superintendent of
Education were allowed 10 minutes each.
Hon. John j. McMahan gave a brief
account Of his work in this Office for the
past four years. 1t has been his con
slant effort 70 arouse more interest in
educational matters. He had given his
attention to the improvement of the
common schools. The time had come
schools. He felt the responsibility OF
the office and believed it was place for
work, for leadership. He had aroused
interest in educational matters and put
the people to thinking. Some, perhaps,
were thinking against him, but still they
were thinking; for this he was thankful.
He had inaugurated a system of summon
schools for tho State and the several