The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-01-20
Our Representatives Ex=
plain.
Questions Our Motives and Silly You Co.
vorted Too, Rejoinder-Had His Own
Business to Look After, Which
Is Ahead of the Peoples
Commission.
Editor The Manning Times:


Dear Sir:-I notice in your paper
under date of the 18th inst, an article
in the editorial columns, presume writ
ten by yourself, in which you crltlclse
me very severely for not being present
at 4 meeting of the Farmers Protective
Association held at Manning on Friday
the Sth inst. You state that | with the
balance of the delegation had been in
vited to be present on that day IN
reply to this statement beg to say 1or
myself: that you either wlltully mlstat-
ed the truth or then you did not proper
ly inform yourself before writing the
article.
did not have an invitation, either
by letter or through the press, and II
there was such an invitation, was not
aware of it. l however did see in both
County papers call made by Mr.. J NJ.
Galloway President of the local Man
ming Club, for a meeting OF that CLUB
some time before this County meeting
ia question, in which he requested our
delegation to be present: but on account
of previous business engagement it was
impossible for me TO be present at that
meeting.
l also beg to say that Mr.. Riggs who
lives near Manning, in conversation
with me at Manning some weeks before
the meeting of the Association on the
Sth, told me that our delegation would
be invited to be present on that occa-
sion, and l told him that it would be a
pleasure to meet with the Association,
and I would endeavor to be present,
and had fully intended to do so, even
though I did not get the invitation: had
it not been for the absence OF my book
keeper, Mr.. H. c.. Carrigan, Jr., who
as YOU perhaps know was married the
dav before the meeting and was neces.
sarily away, and foc this reason ! could
not possibly leave my office, as had no
other man who could take my place IN
my absence.
Now l want to say that I believe in a
farmers organization and always have.
but your criticisms, which are uncalled
for, unwarranted and unjust, l do not
believe are the sentiments OF the
farmers Association, but are your own
eHusions, prompted by a degree OF sore
ness, as well as your avowed interest IN
the farmers. And your reference to
the last campaign in which you state
that I covorted over the County seek
ing votes: and your statement tha1
some of US would drive for miles to at,
tend funeral before the primary ana
our solemn presence was never missed
from church gathering etc. etc. ETC.,
comes 1 think with III grace from one
who did as much covorting as any OF us
fbut cot LETT and claimed indirectly to be
pretty religious, and was very charlta,
bic. so much so, I suspected you might
apply for the ministry. fact l heard YOU
did make speech in certain church and
| | thought this might be the entering
| wedge for your application:
| have no inclination or desire to try
to dodge any issue or question that may
be brought up by my constituents VINO
honored me by their votes, placing me
in the highest position in the gilt. OF
the people of the county, of this l feel
proud and under lasting obligations to
nv people. feel that I am only SER
want of the people and whenever am
satisfied that any demand coming up
from them has the endorsement OF the
majority of our white people regardless
of my personal feelings or gains. /
should endeavorsto carry out their
wishes, however think any radical
changes in our laws which have been
in force tor twenty-five or thirty years;
should be very carefully considered, and
l think there is no better way to do
this than by (using your term covort-
ing among the people during the cam
paigu, and then discuss publicly any
questions that may be brought up, and
let the voters decide the issues by their
ballots.
In closing / wish to say that I have
as public official tried to do my duty,
and should my constituents desire to
have my views on any matters etfectlng
their interests, shall cheerfully give
them either through the press or at a
public gathering regardless OF what
YOUR personal views may be.
Yours truly,
c.. NJ. DAVIS.
Davis Station, Jan. l6, 1904.