Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-06-19
No Road Exemptions.
Death of w. E. Holmes.
THE DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN.

THE DEMOCRATIC CAMPAIGN.
Candidates For U. S. Senate and State
Offices Begin Canvass Wednesday.
The candidates for the various state
offices and for the seat occupied by the
late Senator Latimer in the United
States senate, commenced their respec-
tive canYasses Wednesday, the candi-
dates for state offices opening at st.
Matthews and the candidates for the
senatorial nomination opening at SUM-
ter.
Both meetings were quiet and with
out sensational development Of any
kind. Most of the candidates, especial
ly for the higher offices, read their res
pective speeches, which were devoted
almost entirely to the laying down of
platforms and the discussion Of state
and national political questions.
At ST. Matthews.
Governor Ansel was the first speak
er. He began by discussing education
and taxation. He called renewed at
tention to the fact that tax collections
are a year behind and urged that steps
be taken to even up. He occupies the
same position as heretofore on prohibit
ton, in favor of restricted local option
as between prohibition and county dis
pensaries. He thinks that instead OF
leaving the old state dispensaries or
county dispensaries, all should have
been abolished, and that the people
should have been left the option Of re-
establishing them If they 50 desired.
Cole L. Blease began his speech with
an argument against the second term
precedent, and declared for a platform
including among other things, biennial
sessions of the legislature, opposition TO
higher education Of the negro, strict
marriage regulations, restriction OF i'm
migration, % cents railroad fares, and
county local option as between prohi-
bition, county dispensaries and license
under dispensary restrictions. He said
he was absolutely opposed to the old
barroom system, and would veto any
bill that might be passed looking to It's
restoration. However, if elected gov
ernor, he would sign any other bill
that the general assembly might pass
and would enforce the law. His posi-
ton on all subjects discussed was di-
rectly the contrary to that Of Governor
Ansel.
The most interesting Of the candi-
dates for superintendent of education
was ]. E. Swearingen, the blind pro-
fessor Of Cedar Springs institute. In
1888 he had his eyes put out by shot
gun accident but Notwithstanding
that, afterward went through South
Carolina college with high honors and
has since been engaged in teaching the
blind at Cedar Springs. He tells sim
pie but engaging story Of his struggles
for an education. and declares himself
as standing for the uplifting Of all.
The candidates for railroad commits
sioner, including Cansler of Tirzah, in
troduced themselves and discussed
matters that are more or less familiar.
Attorney General Lyon, who Is with
out opposition, won considerable ap-
plause In giving an account Of what
he had been doing to carry out his
promise Of two years ago to convict the
grafters, and he promised anew with
much confidence that the men who
had been indicted would be convicted.
By general agreement, the candt-
dates for governor are limited to 80
minutes each and the other candidates
to 10 minutes each.
At Sumter.
The senatorial party organized by the
election Of George Johnstone as chair
man and o. B. Martin as secretary. 1t
was agreed to start at the head Of the
list alphabetically and rotate daily, al
lowing each man equal time.
Hon. John Gary Evans discussed a
number Of national questions deVoting
himself principally to the tariff. He
said that the war Of secession was
waged not so much for the purpose Of
freeing the negroes as for the purpose
of keeping the manufacturing interest
Of the north in power and he advised
that the people Of the south who de-
sire q reduction Of tariff duties should
ally themselves with free traders eV-
erywhere.
Col. George Johnstone commenced
his speech with an anecdote Of how he
had heard some drummers who did not
know him, abusing him on train and
how when he introduced himself they
became his friends. Then he discussed
national issues, along the line that the
country needs to get back to the bed
rock of the constitution. He said that
it provoked him greatly to hear people
praising Roosevelt who he denounced
as the most dishonest statesman who
had ever attained such a high posi-
ton.
Col w. w. Lumpkin made quite a
hit with an eloquent speech devoted to
national issues including prohibition.
He stated that being an employe, he
would stand first for employees of all
kinds, the travelling men, the railroad
men, the mill workers, etc. His speech
made a good impression and was
cheered.
Hon. o. B. Martin made an interest
ing speech. He read his platform, dis
cussed the various issues and took a
fall out of Mr.. Evans on account of
the latter's New England wife. He
urged that if the tariff question should
be close in the senate, Mrs. Evans's
New England friends would persuade
her to keep Mr.. Evans on their side.
The appearance of Hon. R. G.. Rhett
was greeted with applause, and the
audience warmed up to him cOnsldera-
bly, in his speech. He commenced by
complimenting the people Of Sumter on
their court house and the general ap-
pearance of their city. Then he told
how the people of Charleston had elected
him MAYOR because they believed in his
policy and re-elected him because they
endorsed his administration. He had
told the people Of Charleston that they
could never have a great city until they
got the people Of South Carolina be-
hind them, and Charleston is now de-
voting herself to securing the co-opera-
ton of the balance Of the state. May
or Rhett explained his fight for better
freight rates for Charleston. He does
not believe in nagging at or abusing
the railroads. Let them make living;
let them earn a fair margin on their
investment. But don't let them dis
criminate as they had done. He had
been laughed at in the beginning of
the fight, but subsequently he had
gained much, and it had been for the
good Of South Carolina as well as for
the city of Charleston.
Mr.. z. D. Smith was the last speak
er. He was we'll received by the audi |
ence of his old home county and he
made an effective speech along the
lines pursued in his cotton campaign.
Mr.. Smith spoke Of the relation Of
the cotton question to the tariff issue.