The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-02-05

after the war. His record as a lawyer
and legislator is clean, and above
criticism. AS a politician his record Is
one of conservatism, coupled with alb
solute charitableness towards all who
differed from him.
The following account OF his nomina-
tion is taken from the Charlotte Obser-
yer's Raleigh correspondence:
Raleigh, Special.-At ten minutes to
10 Thursday night, Lee S. Overman, on
the 61st ballot of the series and the
fifth of the night received 73 of the 142
votes of the Democratic caucus and was
declared its nominee. The excitement
during the whole evening had been in
tense as the first ballot showed
gradual increase for Overman, and it
was realized at last to which of the
two, Watson or Overman, Craig had
decided to give the victory.
It has been the finest game and the
cleanest one Of high politics ever
known in the State.
As soon as the election was an
nounced by the chairman, Mr.. Morton,
Charles Webb, Craig's manager, moved
onded by r. A. Doughton, who was
Watson's foreman On motion Of Speak
er Gattis the chair appointed Messrs.
Webb, Gsttis, Doughton, Murphy and
Watts a committee to notify Mr..
Ooverman Of his nomination and escort
him to the hall with an invitation to
Craig and Watson. A mighty cheer
went up when the candidates appeared
and by a preconcerted signal, as Over
man entered the hall, snow-storm OF
Orerman ballots, thrown from the gal
leries, covered the audience.
Ascending the platform in front Of
the speakers chair, as soon as the
deafening applause had subsidized, Mr.
Overman said in substance:
Would that could give expression
to the feelings of my heart. can only
say to you am glad, that am CRATE
full, profoundly, deeply grateful. This
has been battle royal but battle be-
tween Democrats. Great applausel.
With the exaltation that comes with
success there comes to me the sad re-
fection that two noble Democrats have
been defeated. Great applause). With
the responsibilities that are upon me
feel gravely but 1t is my greatest am
bition TO worthily bear them. With OBJ
legations to no corporation, no special
interest and pledges to none that Will
conflict with my service, with the
blessings Of God, shall devote myself
to the best interests Of all the people
of my State and for my party, TOT
which | have fought for the past 20
years. tGreat applause). Great Ques-
tions are upon us; the very basal stone
of the temple Of this republic-equal
rights to all, special privileges to no
man or set Of men-neeGs to be care
fully protected to prevent the eneroacn-
ments by the great trusts and otner
combinations that threaten the coun-
try with industrial servitude.
God bless you all, my friends. For
the gallant Watson and the grea: Craig
| can but say they are noble in dcfeat
as they have been in battle. (Great ap-
| plause).
Mr.. Watson said: ''It was a great
pleasure to him to appear before the
audience. It is not the first time l
have suffered defeat or been borne
from the battlefield with wounds. AS
have battled for the Democratic party
and my country for the past IS years, l
shall continue to do so for my party
( and my country"
Closing he said he was proud to-
night in defeat, having fought the
great fight against corporate greed and
! encroachments of the great common
| people than to have won the victory
having failed in the least OF any one OF