The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-08-12
THE COUNTY CAMPAIGN.
Brief Synopsis of the Speeches Made
bY The Candidates for the Senate
and House.
(By Cyrus L. Shealy.)

The official campaign of Lexington
county was opened at CASTOR on Aug.
4; and the candidates are now travel
ing over the county seeking the suf-
frage of the people. Campaigning,
to those who attend only one or two
meetings, may seem to be some
what pleasant and altogether amusing
occupation. It is rather diverting at
times; but to those of us who have
gone over the county as an unbiased
reporter, it takes on more serious pro-
portions. But we have never struck
a better place to study men; and, to
the sociological student, it is a de-
lightful task and, if done well, nice
discernment-to trace the tact and
tactics of the very affable ofice-seek:
ers. To the candidates, however, it
is more of a business than otherwise
OR, at any rate, a pretty big busi-
ness proposition, and we fear it is too
much so. There was time when
South Carolina produced statesmen
of the highest order, but such men
are few in these parts today. The
vision seems to be lowering around
the mountain top, with no one able
to ascend and follow it even higher.
Our greatness is not of the same high
degree as it used to be. Today we
have too many ring-leaders; too many
factions, politicians and agitators-in
a word, the demagogue is abroad,
and well is he playing his part, too.
He is to be found on nearly every
platform you face; and the people are
off their guard enough to let him slip
into the highest councils of state at
times when we can i'll afford it. This
is representative government, and,
our people, being, as they are, su-
preme in power, should demand that
our representatives come up to the
standard of true statesmen. If they
can't lay aside their narrow, selfish,
greedy motives, let them remain in
the rank and file and support the men
who can.
But we must return to our county
campaign. The initial meeting at
CASTOR was we'll attended and very
quiet. In a write-up of this kind we
can only give a synopsis; but we hope
these will be sufficient, or we may
say, help to the people in getting
an idea of what the legislative aspir-
ants stand for. The senatorial trio
started the thing off, and DR.. Crosson
was the first speaker of the three. In
his opening remarks he reviewed his
early career as democrat and "red
shirt'' rider, "as an agriculturalist, "
he said, II know the needs of the
people," He says he is going to in.
ject no personalities in this race, and
is going to make the fight clean-hand.
ed. He is in favor of helping the man
who uses the hoe and drives the
plough. He is opposed to high appro'
priations in that they are becoming
enormous and burdensome to the tax
payers. Expenses of the government
should not be more than formerly
Against the creation of new Offices
which calls for an increase in appro
priations to pay officials; opposed tt
immigration. In favor of investigat
ing the insurance companies, but
thinks this ought to be done by the
Comptroller General, and not by ar
extra commissioner. Is in favor o
good roads. Did not commit himself
on the lien law question.
Mr.. Graham was the second speaker
He referred to our struggles in 1776
and drew contrasts with our present
independence and prosperity. Sale
that our higher institutions of learn