The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1906-07-11
Meeting at Matthias Mineral
Spring.

4
Messrs. Sharpe, Etheredge and Ept-
ing, all candidates for the house of
representatives, made their initiatory
speeches at the Crystal Mineral Spring
meeting four miles south of here yes
terday. The county campaign has
not formally opened, but the above
named gentlemen took advantage of
this splendid opportunity. \
The meeting had been arranged es-
pecially for Senator Tillman, and he
occupied the stand for quite a good
time No attempt will be made here
5 to reproduce his speech. He spoke
to crowd estimated all the way from
five hundred to one thousand. The
senator was in good trim and spoke in
his old time earnest and straightfor-
ward style. He reviewed The dispen-
sary condition from start to finish,
showing how the legislature had by
deviating from the original plan,
made loop holes by which dishonesty
had gradually crept in. He emphati-
cally declared that the State dispen-
sary could yet be purified.
At the close of his dispensary chat
the Senator fell into slow, easy drift
and told the people'o his services in
the national congress. Hesaid owing
Sto his long service, he was just now
in position to do some thing for the
State. He made the remark that new
men in congress we're worth about
three-for-a-quarter. Inpausing he told
the people that he was glad they had
such a good congressman in the per-
son of Hon. A. F. Lever. He said that
he would cheerfully testify as to the
worth of your little musk-rat Of the
Dutch Fork" (Laughter.)
Senator Tllman was the speaker of
the day and could have had all the
time. but when he heard the spoons
and saucers rattling,' he said he
would stop and let the people eat din
ner.
= Upon the whole his speech was not
one of his "so,' frey electric re-
partee stump speeches.
After dinner had been served, Hon.
W.. I'll: Sharpe was introduced as a
candidate for the house. This writer
did not hear the whole of MIR. Sharpe's
speech, but enough was heard to get
clear understanding of his position.
He said that he was in favor of the
State dispensary and the repeal of
the Brice law. He advocates re-
vision of the pension law. His speech
was earnest and was interspersed
with few of his immense stock of
good jokes.
Hon. E. j. Etheredge was next in
troduced as candidate for reelection.
In his usual pleasant manner he
thanked the people for the extra good
vote given him two years ago. He
said he was opposed to extravagant
appropriations for the State colleges.
He was in favor of giving more to the
common schools. in order to secure
better teachers, buildings and equip
ment. He wants to give pension to
every old veteran. He was good in
his praise of the women, especially
those who worked and toiled and
suffered in the sixties. He said that
the State dispensary was the best
solution of the whiskey problem and
was in favor of repeating the Brice
law. He reviewed his record and
promised to be faithful to the end if
reelected. The doctor wants to be
distinctly understood as to where he
stands. He says he can do more for
the people in the next two years than
he has in the past by reason of his
experience.
Hon. J. Mike Epting, who stands
for reelection, was next to address
an- .- - --sA ss