The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-08-17

VhPi AhtuOlc. opeuhlllS VI MI. Lyon,
he said. "He said it on other stumps,
| dare him to say it, Mr.. Evans was
surrounded by some of his friends
and Mr.. Lyon was on the platform
surrounded by his friends.
Why the Scene Occurred.
Other candidates were introduced
and the n:rctin% prorecdcd. As Il
matter of fact for several days the
people throughout the State have look
ed for some excitement at the meet
ing hrrc. When Mr.. Lyon began his
speech the crowd present, knowing
the feeling that existed in regard
to the dispensary investigation,
thought that possibly there might be
some unplcusantness and the tension
was high. When Mr.. Ragsdalc went
on the stand to reply to Mr.. Lyons
statement it was as if the cord had
snapped and there was rush for
the stand. That precipitated the
whole excitement. Had it not been
that something of the kind was expect
ed the incident would probably never
have occurred.
Mr. BleaSc and Mr.. Dominick were
first between Mr.. Lyon and Mr. Rags
dale and Mr.. Blease's appeal to the
crowd stopped the rush towards the
stand. During the whole excitement
there was not II weapon drawn nor
any attempt t" draw Il weapon.
| There were about one thousand pro-
pie present and they had their friends
among the candidates, but they were
not looking for trouble. and il was
simply excitement of the moment in
connection with the rumors that had
/ been circulated throughout the State
that caused the rush towards the
stand.
Ragsdale and Evans.
A representative Of The Herald and
News had a talk with both Mr.. Evans
and Mr.. Ragsdalc. Mr.. Evans said
that he had no idea Of anything when
he first approached the stand during
Mr.. Lyon $ speech except to prevent II
possible difficulty between Mr.. Lyon
and Mr.. Ragsdalc.
Mr.. Ragsdalc said 81 was very
particular in my speech to state that
! would make no personal attacks up
on the character of any one. con-
fined myself strictly to criticisms of
Mr. Lyon : pnliiral record. was
very much surprised when he dcnounc-
ed me as IL dcmayo"uc and a political
trlckStcr. because | have conducted
my campaign on Il high plane and have
rcfrained from doing that which is
unfair. have interrupted him be-
fore. and | interrupted him to-day
because | felt that he had no right
TO attack my character, and pre-
fcrrcd for the matter to be adjusted
nj the time and before the people
where the chargS were made. | mere
~ went forward on the stump in ord
er to defend my character and to put
myself in II proper light before the
people to whom | am comparative
stranger.
During the course of his speech Mr.,
Ragsdalc had severly criticised Mr..
lyon's $ record, saying he had spent
fifteen thousand dollars. had employ
cd several detectives, Il corps Of law
Hcrs. had the power to hold up half a
million dollars worth of claims. had
unlimited power and yet had proscrut- =
ed nobody for being corrupt, having
brought indictments against no one.
| Tie had also said il was strange that
| Lyon had thought it Necessary to Sc
cure certificate from the Abbcrvillc
Bar to the effect that Mr. Lyon was
a practicin" attorney ana had had
eases in the Supreme Court.
With the exception Of this incident
The mcctin" went along smoothly
throughout.
The Other Candidates.
The candidates for railroad rommis-
cioncr spoke first, and were followed
by the candidates for governor. There
was very little applause Of any kind,
except that Mr. Blcasc received an
ovation when he took the stand.
Mr.. BIcasc, injected some ginger
into the meeting. He was received
with liberal applause and he pro-
cccdcd +" attack prohibition in New
berry, saying that il was farce.
Meetin0 Was Renreaantatiua