The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-05-21
SUBSCRIBER.
THE INTERVIEW.

Editor Louis Appelt, of Manning, was
in the city yesterday. He did not ap-
pear to be any the worse for wear after
his recent brush with Senator Tillman,
aud when seen by Reporter for The
News and Courier he talked freely
about that and about Senator McLau-
rims recent letter to the public, Col.
Applet said:
II an here on private business solely.
The people o. Clarendon are busy pre-
pairing for crop and they are mani
Testing but little interest in politics;
the slim attendance at the club meet
ings is an evidence of this. Possibly
having attended the ''Tillman rally"
the day before had something to do
with their not going the club meetings,
which elected delegates.
The tilt had with Senator Tlllmap
was my first experience of the kind
and the reports sent out by the re-
porters were altogether partisan: those
who heard the speeches will say that
the reports do not do me full justice
and that was not so badly done up as
the newspapers make it appear. pre-
sented the case against the Senator.
and it was fully understood that the
charges were based on information and
written certificates. My presentation
speech occupied about one hour, totally
devoid of stale jokes and odious COM
parisons. and while I was not quoted to
any extent, the Reporter OF The News
and Courier said l was a surprise as a
speaker that had an uphill job, but
made capital speech Senator Till
man found enough in my speech to
keep him laboring for hours in an en-.
deavor to explain why it was the State
got no rebates during his administra-
ton and when he concluded froth was
standing out from the corners of his
mouth like balls of cotton. His eXpla-
nation, to say the least of it, was an un-
businesslike transaction, which busi-
ness men will be puzzled to understand.
The crowd was in sympathy with him
before he uttered a word, but there
were some who regarded his explana-
tion as vague.
"The aSpirants for Office added much
to aid him. and when he commanded
that l should not be sent to the Con-
vention, as it would reflect on him, he
showed himself to be in desperate
straits: his orders were obeyed so faith
fully that when the Convention met,
instead of a representation for 1900
voters, as the county is entitled TO,
which would give 81 delegates, as a re-
suit of lax methods in perfecting club
rolls without any fraudulent intention.
there were enrolled 100 delegates, a
representation for $500 voters, about
1000 more than there is in the county.
NV name was used in the Convention
against my Judgment, but yielded be-
cause my friends insisted upon it. Not
withstanding this, | received 4 very
complimentary vote-one-third of the
votes cast.
II do not approve of Senator Nc
Laurin's letter. If he wanted to retire
ne should have said so and no more.
think he makes mistake to ignore the
primary, for that institution is our only
hope ofkeeping the white people to-
gether. do not believe McLaarin will
join the Republican party, nor will l
believe it until ne makes such 4 dec!a-
ration. | am his personal friend. but
regard fealty to the Democratic party 4
higher duty than personal friendship.
McLaurin, in my opinion, should have
waited until the State Convention act
ed, and then, if he could not comply
with its requirement, refuse to become
a candidate and wait in retirement un-
til the people called for him.
The primary system is the bulwark
of white supremacy in this State and it
must be maintained at all hazards. even
if sacrifices must be made. | simply
hope the Convention will not tamper
with the party pledge. 1t is GOOD and
strong enough. | fear if once the Con-
venUion permits changes it will open
the door to allowing politicians, who
can control q Convention. to make
changes for their advantage and to the
exclusion OF opposing ,aspirants. Let
the pledge stand as it has been ever
since 1890, and let us all go to work to
inspire confidence in the management
of the primary. There is no need to
invite discomfort and the people can be
trusted. A man who will not submit to
the action of the Democratic Conven-
tion cannot command for himself the
confidence of the people and they will
not vote for him. ."-NewS and Courier,
May 8.
pynv.ReJeo,,, ReIieyes RIGHT AWay