Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-08-04
pIcNIC AT NEW ZION.


and four hundred people at the picnic
at New Zion, ten miles northwest of
Yorkvlle last Saturday, and although
The Enquirer did not have special
on the ground, from
different people who were present, 1t
has been able to gather that the occa-
sion was quite an interesting one, both
socially and politically.
The political part of the meeting was
presided over by Mr.. r. NJ. Wallace,
and at his request, Rev. w. E. Hurt
opened the exercises with prayer, after
which there were brief speeches by DR..
J. H. Saye, Mr.. w. H. Stewart, Mr..
w. B. Wilson, Jr, Rev. w. E. Hurt and
Mr.. c. c. Hughes, and announcements
by several other candidates.
Dr. Saye devoted himself principally
to a statement of the considerations
that led to the introduction Of what is
known as the Saye road law. The
people had been trifling with the road
question for years, and the existing
laws we're so inefficient as to be uni
versaly regarded as a joke. The most
progressive sentiment Of the country
was crystalizing in favor of something
that no law could be enforced without
the backing of the people, when the
Farmers Union of York county took
such an advanced and intelligent posi-
ton on the subject, he was resolved
not to temporize with the matter any
longer. He went to Columbia last
winter with the single purpose OF pro-
viding such a law as seems 70 be
needed but before he could get the
matter well in hand, he had to go
home on account OF serious Illness in
his family, and when he got back the
session was so far advanced that there
was left but little time in which to do
anything. He made the best Of the
situation, however, by drawing liber-
ally on laws that had been prepared
for other counties, and with the as
sistance and approval Of all the other
members Of the York delegation, got
through the act now under considera-
ton. He realized at the time that the
law was not perfect, and because OF
this fact took the precaution to pro-
vide that it should not go into effect
until after there had been opportunity
to amend it in such particulars as
might seem desirable. He insisted,
however, that while the law needs to
be amended. it Is along the right line,
IL
roads without money and the only
way to raise the money is by means OF
taxation.
Mr.. Stewart who, by the way, Is
quite a ready talker discussed vari-
Gus matters: but devoted himself
mainly to the Save road law. He had
copy Of last Fridays issue Of The
Yorkville Enquirer, and spreading 1t
out before him, called attention to
the two column defense of road law
written by Mr.. Brice. He declared
that the campaign was fairly opened
by this article. and taking up Mr..
Brice's arguments, he proceeded to
demolish them to his own sat3fac-
ton and to the satisfaction Of his fol-
lowers in the audience. During his
The Yorkville Enquirer had always
been his political enemy, and he eV-
pected it would always be: but for
that he did not care as he would
really rather have 1t that way than
otherwise. Mr.. Stewart told his au-
dience that he was a farmer and un-
derstood the needs Of the farmers.
Mr.. Wilson discussed the Saye law
from the standpoint Of county attor-
ney and went into some Of its merits
as we'll as some Of its demerits; but
seemed to find more dement's than
merits. He alluded briefly to the IL
quor question, saying that 1t is not an
issue in this campaign and he hoped
1t would not be raised. He wanted II
understood, however. that he is for
local option. He attacked the immi
grafton bureau and said that IL elect
ed he would vote for its abolition.
Also he said he would vote for repeal
Of the lien law. He also was interest
ed in farming. having the manage
ment of extensive farming operations
for his father. He was not as well
prepared for as full and free dis
cussion of the various issues of the
campaign as he hoped to be when the
canvass was formally opened at Og-
den.
Rev. w. e. Hurt explained his can
didacy with the statement that he had
been announced without his previous
knowledge on a platform OF prohibl-
ton. education, good roads and civic
righteousness. Although the platform
was congenial in every particular, ne
was not at first very favorably i'm
pressed with the idea Of standing for
a political office: but so many OF his
friends and acquaintances had urged
the matter upon him afterward that
he was finally brought to the conclu-
sion that II was his duty to stand
and here he was. He said he was for
prohibition at all times and under all
circumstances and II elected his con-
stituents need expect nothing else
along the liquor line. He had more
or less definite ideas as to the repeal
Of the lien law, as to good roads, as
to immigration and various other
uuestions but he had not studied
any Of them with a view to voting as
representative, and he did not ex-
pect to begin studying them unless
he should be elected. If elected,
however, he would promise to give
his most careful consideration to ev-
cry question that might present It
self, and vote only in accordance with
what he should conclude was right
and for the best interest of his con-
stituents. He suggested that II he
could get a little genuine old fashion
ed religion into some Of the other
candidates, he would do the country
a service.
Mr. C. C. Hughes discussed several
matters, principally the roads. He
said that he had been all over York
county, and If there Is a single mile OF
first class road In the county, 1t has
not come under his observation. II
there ever was a time when this SUD-
iect needed attention that time Is now,
and If the people are looking forward to
the time when they will ever build
roads without money, he Is sure that
time will never come. There are two
things badly needed in behalf Of good
roads. On of them Is the necessary
money with which to build roads and
the other Is a change Of supervisors.
The crowd was made up principally
Of people of that particular neighbor-
hood, and included quite a number OF
thoughtful. intelligent people. Those
present were variously impressed, and
there was evidence that the develop
ments Of the day would receive due