The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1908-07-15
Chief Interest Seems 70 Have Center
cd in the Cross Fire Between Ma
yor Rhett and Ny. Grace.

yor Rt,ett and Ny. Grace.
Yorkv;lle. July S-sp2c;al: The
Senatorial candidates spoke to a re-
preventative audience OF about three
hundred voters in the Court House
here to-day County Chairman Vii
son presided.
The only incident OF special mo-
ment was an attack on Mayor Rhett
by M. John 2 Grace and it is gen
erally conceded that the onslaught
was ineffective.
MesSrs. Evans. Smith. Johnstone
and Grace devoted much Of their
tine to criticism OF Nj. 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. +.
Martin. who devoted himself TO the
subjects heretofore discussed By him.
Mr.. r. G. Rhett was next introduc-
ed He outlined his platform as 10
the needed changes in the financial
system of the country in the need CT
such legislation as would correct the
evil of discrimination IL freight
rates between different sections o.
the country, and made clear the fact
that he was opposed to 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 b.,
asserted that he was 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 impusn 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 genera?
election in 1895, but did vote for
Bryan in 1900 and for Parker IN
1904. Mr. Rhett stated that after he
had announced as a candidate for
the Senate he was approached by
party IN Charleston who evidently
spoke with authority and assured
that if ne would support a 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.. z. D. Smith followed Nj.
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
ra'sers Of the South their share o:
the uecessaries. comforts anG Injuries
OF life, evidently oblivious OF the
fact that the people OF YORK County.
where the farmers are the most pro-
spercus 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 ide;i
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
loquy, 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
" every charge Grace had made in
his attempt to wash Charleston dirty
linen before a York County audience
was false, except that he had not
voted in the general election for
President in 1896 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 cnd for several
minutes he stood and attempted 'C
speak. 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
~ deaf ears.
Col. George Johnston was the next
speaker, and by reason Of his we'll
known ability as bender of wit
anc sarcasm he had the audience IN
q good humor. He devoted some
tine to criticisirg Mr.. Rhett and
then took up "Snlithy' 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 time, not only
for South Carolina but for the whole
United States in forcing Europe to
pay for cotton what it was worth.
Mr.. w. w Lumpkin was the last
of the Senatorial candidates to speak
and confined his remarks to subjects
on which he has dvlet at previous
meetings.
In the afternoon speeches We're
made by Messrs. Finley. Butler and
Pollock, candidates for Congress
from this district.
Democrats Forced to Contribute
The paper trust has just reported
G.