The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-06-22
STATE CAMPAIGN OPENED.
1HE CANDIDATES PRESENT IN FORCE
ONLY THREE ABSENT.


Subjects, There Were no Per-
sonalifies and no Sensa-
tions.
4 Quiet, Orderly and Pleasant Political
Gathering.
The State campaign opened here yes
terday with the meeting in the Court
House which was attended by between
three and four hundred people who
fairly represented not only this city
But nearly all sections of Sumter coun-
~. With a number of representative
citizens Of Lee county scattered
throughout the crowd. 1t was an in
telIigent, thoughtful and critical
audience and one that was not to be
Impressed by buncombe and mere vol
ana Of sound, The speeches of the
scapdidates were heard with attention
and what they had to say will be
weighed and considered for exactly
what ii is worth and no more. There
was.no enthusiasm to warp the iudg-
mens and but little applause, Con-
gresham Lever, Gov. Heyward and
Maj. John 81. Earle, being the recipi-
sents of the most cordial welcomes
Rhan introduced.
The meeting was called to order
promptly at Il o'clock by County
Chairman E. W. Dabbs, who invited
Dr.. n. ". Edmunds to open the
meeting with prayer.
Chairman Dabbs made brief
speech before proceeding to Introduce
the candidates in which he laid stress
upon the necessity Of making the cam
uaign one of sane discussion of real
issues and not one of personalities.
He also urged upon the Democrats OF
the County and State that they not
only vote in the party primary but
that they qualify themselves as electors
and turn out at the general election
aud vote for the Nominees Of the
party.
!. Hon. "A. F. Lever, who is candi-
date for reelection to Congress as the
representative of the Seventh District
vas the first speaker. lie expressed
his sincere appreciation Of the support
he had received in Sumter in former
campaigns and said that he was. glad
to have the opportunity OF thanking
his friends Cuder srch favorable. and
10 him -aost gratifying, conoitiors,
fcs be felt that the mere fact that he
has no opposition was the best evI-
deace that his efforts to serve the
PEOPLE Of the district and OF the State
had met with the practically unani-
nacus approval of the voters of that
district.
He promised for the future that he
Would put forth the same efforts IN
the Interests of the State that be had
in the pssf. and that he felt sure that
sdded experience would serve to make
his efforts more successful. OF espe-
ciaI interests to Sumter was his assnr-
arce that at the next session Of Con-
.gres the appropriation for a Federal
building would be made and that the
building would be r'e.lty within
short space Of time. 'n reference to
national affairs he sa., that the Dem
gecsstic party had not Lad in years SO
great an opportunity OF winning the
presidency aud the control Of the
House as it has now and tiat it is.
shameful that a certain leader who
had been SO sienelly honored by the
party for eight years shoala now be
gailsy of al attempt to knife TIE
leaders who are working for harmony
within the party and the overtime CT
the Republicans. Tue only hope Of
khe Democracy, ne SAD, vas TO -ai'S
behind the able conservative leaders
who are doing all within their power
to unite the party aad carry it to vic
tory despite the 6isloyal course OF GER
tain leaders who seem animated oy
spirit Of vindictireress because they
have been deposed from leadership.
Gov. D. G. Hayward. the next
sneaker, said that he felt it needless
to say TO Samtec audience that be
vas glad to be here today; that he
had felt and would always feel that
the cordial welcome extended to his
first appearance as candidate IN
Sumter two years ago and the hearty
and loyal support givec him in the
election had very much to do with his
success. He appreciated the loyal
friendship of Sumter and would ever
Drize Il as q cherished possessiod.