The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-07-14
S1.EO PER ANNUM.
HEAR CANDIDATES.
SENATORIAL CAMPAIGN PARTY
AT YORKVILLE.
Chief Interest Seems to Have Center
ed in the Cross Fire Between Ma
yor Rhett and Mr.. Grace.
ed in the Cr

yor Rhett and Mr.. Grace.
forkville, July S.-Special: The
Senatorial candidates spoke to a re-
preventative audience of about three
hundred voters in the Court House
here to-day. County Chairman Will
son presided.
The only incident of special mo-
ment was an attack on Mayor Rhett
by Mr.. John P. Grace and it is gem
orally conceded that the onslaught
was ineffective.
Messrs. Evans, Smith, Johnstone
and Grace devoted much of their
time to criticism Of Mr. Rhett and
his platform, and this was construed
by many of the auditors to mean
that theybelieved him to be the man
in their way.
The first speaker was Hon. o. B.
| Martin, who devoted himself to the
subjects heretofore discussed by him.
Mr.. R: G. Rhett was next introduc-
ed. He outlined his platform as to
the needed changes in the financial
system of the country in the need Of
such legislation as would correct the
evil of discrimination in freight
rates between different sections Of
the country, and made clear the fact
that he was opposed 70 so hamper
ing the roads that they would not
be able to properly maintain their
tracks, rolling stock, pay their en-
ployees adequate wages and the
stockholders reasonable dividends on
their investments. In conclusion he
asserted that he was a, lifelong De-
mocrat and said that while this fact
was fully recognized in his home
town, party from there, who was
posing as a candidate for the same
Office as himself, would follow him
and attempt to impugn his Democra-
cy. He stated that the only charge
the party would make against him
that was true, was that he did not
vote for the President in the general
election in 1896, but did vote for
Bryan in 1900 and for Parker in
1904. Mr.. Rhett stated that after he
had announced as candidate for
the Senate he was approached by
party in Charleston who evidently
spoke with authority and assured
that if ne would support certain
candidate for sheriff that Mr.. Grace
would not be a candidate for the
Senate, and that otherwise he would,
and that he refused to enter into
the conspiracy.
Mr.. E. D. Smith followed Mr..
Rhett. He devoted most of his time
to reiterating his well-knoWn plan
for throttling Wall street gamblers
and securing for the down-trodden,
starved, naked and ignorant cotton
raisers of the South their share o:
the necessaries, comforts and Injuries
Of life, evidently oblivious of the
fact that the people of York County,
where the farmers are the most pro-
sperous class, were utterly unable
to appreciate the conditions so elo-
quently set forth.
Mr.. John Gary Evans followed and
devotedhis time to an attack on the
financial system outlined by Mr.
Rhett and also to the need Of revis-
ing the tariff.
Mr.. J. P. Grace was next introduc-
ed. He spent his thirty minutes in
an attackon Mr.. Rhett, seeking to
impress the audience with the idea
that Rhett's entire career was one
of treachery to the State, to Charles
ton and the Democratic party. He
sought to engage Mr.. Rhett in col
louuy, but that gentleman stated that
after Grace had finished he would
have a few words to say in reply
When Grace closed he received lit
tie applause.
Mr.. Rhett arose at his seat and
stated in a few words that absolute
ly every charge Grace had made in
his attempt to wash Charleston dirty
linen before York County audience
was false, except that he had not
voted in the general election for
President in 1895. This was follow
ed by long and general applause,
and when it had lulled Grace at
tempted to say something. The ap-
plause was renewed, and for several
minutes he stood and attempted to
sneak, and it was not until the chair
man appealed to the audience that
he was allowed to say anything, and
then his statement fell on apparent
ly deaf ears.
Col. George Johnston was the next
speaker, and by reason of his we'll
known ability as a blender Of Wit
and sarcasm he had the audience in
good humor He devoted some
time to criticising Mr.. Rhett and
then took up "Smithy'' and kept the
audience convulsed for time with
his recital of the dire calamity that
awaited the cotton raisers Of the
South in case the people should be
so foolish as to elect man who
had accomplished so much single
} handed in so short a time, not only
+ for South Carolina but for the whole
limited States. in forcing Europe to
nav for cotton what it was worth.
Mr.. w. w. Lumpkin was the last
N lY