The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-08-11
THE CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN.
About 300 Voters Assembled at lake
CITY to Hear the Candidates.

| lerbe. Ddrgan and Norton-held
the boards at Lake City Satur-
day to an interested audience of
about 800 qualified suffragists.
The meeting was called to
order by Hon W l. Bass, who in
appropriate words introduced
the speakers. Each candidate
was allowed 30 minutes and
every flying minute was utilized
to the utmost. Mr. Ellerbe was
the first speaker.
Mr. Ellerbe said that he had
made a clean campaign up to
this time and expected to con-
| tinue to do so; but if assailed by
competitors he asked for five
minutes to reply. He then dis
cussed the Importance of d Con-
gressman's duties. Believes
Parker will be elected but the
| Senate will be Republican for at
least 4 years. The Republicans
claim the honor of the victory
over Spain, but the heroes OF
the war were most of them Dem
ocrats and many Southern men
distinguished themselves. Spoke
feelingly of poor mailing tacili-
ties farmers have to put up
with. A Congressman can rem
edy this. He also stressed the
Importance of good roads and
favors government appropria-
ton, there being fifty million
dollars idle money in National
treasury. Adverted to money
question. Had been for Free
Silver, but thinks the Demo
cratic party right to conform to
changed conditions. Roosevelt
and negroism are our fight.
Also touched on tariff, trusts
and the necessity of Democratic
unity.
Mr. w 4 Dargan alter saying
some pleasant things about
Williamsburg, declared that he
believed the fear of negro polit-
ical denomination to be bug
aboo that would not appeal to
intelligent men. What could
10000 negro voters do against
100000 white voters? Let all
aspirants for office go before a
convention which would select
two candidates for each office,
who could fight it out in the
general election and thus do
awav with the necessity for a
primary. All the candidates
agree on issues and all want
the gal".
MrJ w Ragsdale fran ky sta
| ted that he was out to get votes.
Believes a candidate has the
right to revert to his record II
he has one. Spoke of his help
ing to amend the law increasing
the penalty for attempted rape
from 5 to 30 years and recited
his political career as Leglsla-
tor and State Senator. The IS
sues of the Democratic party
are Roosevelt and Anglo Saxon
supremacy. Replied to Dar-
gan's convention idea. One OF
the candidates chosen to run in
the general election could cater
to the negro vote and elect him
self over his opponent even il
J the latter bad a clear majority
of white vMss. This would make
the negro TIE balance of the
power and bring about a repeti'
ton of the horrors prior to rs.
"Ellerbe says this is his job, but
if it is 1 am going to be a thief
and steal it from him..
Mr. James Norton, the last
speaker, stated that he had
helped to make the State Dem:
ocratic platform as a member OF
committee at State convention.
Believes the party has a good
chance to win in presidential
election. With helpful Legisla-
ton our low country has won
derful possibilities. Better rural
facilities needed and also. expe-
rimental stations ought to be
established. Legal restraints
should be removed from tobac-
co, allowing it to be manufac-
tured free of all duty. Present
tariff system sheer robbery, but
Wilson bill was too sweeping.
Neither extreme deslrab BILE
River and harbor appropriations
needed in low country. Referred
- L.. o..1r ,,,l,1a ~, rnnTracS