The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-07-04
CAMPAIGN MEETING.
Congressman Byrnes Vigorously De-
fends His Record.

United States Senator, Solicitor, and
| Congress addressed the voters of
| Bamberg county. The meeting was
held in the court house and was pre-
sided over by S. G. Mayfeld, Esq,
in the absence of Hon. H. G. Folk,
who was absent in Baltimore attend
| ing the National Democratic Con-
| vention.
Solicitor R. L. Gunter, who has no
opposition for reelection, was first
introduced, and he made short ad-
dress, thanking the voters for their
support.
Col. w. J. Talbert, aspirant for
Senatorial honors, next addressed
the audience, which no doubt num-
bered about two hundred or more.
He discussed national issues in an
interesting way and stated his views
on a number of public questions. Mr..
Talbert was followed by N. B. Dial,
ESQ.,, of Laurens, who asked for sup
port as business man who had done
things. Both candidates were given
quiet attention, but they failed to
arouse any enthusiasm, as it appears
that most everybody in this county
will vote for Senator Tillman this
year.
But the crowd was waiting to hear
J. F. Byrnes, who is candidate for
reelection to congress, and Col. Har-
ry D. Calhoun, who is opposing him.
Mr.. Calhoun is making his fight on
Mr.. Byrnes because he voted for the
Bristow amendment to the constitu-
ton providing for the election OF
United States Senators by direct vote
Of the people, and he states that he
would not have entered the race had
not Mr.. Byrnes cast his vote for this
amendment. Mr.. Calhoun had issu-
ed a two-page circular last week, it
being sent out as a section of most
of the newspapers of the district, in
| which he argued that the effect of
| Mr.. Byrnes's vote would be negroes
voting in South Carolina, with United
States troops at the polls, coIsidera-
able emphasis being laid on the days
of reconstruction. This circular also
contained several letters from con-
| gressmen and senators in reference
to the amendment, and considerable
interest in the matter had been arous-
ed, especially as Col. Calhoun had
spent several days in Bamberg prior
to the campaign meeting. In COM
mencing his speech Mr.. Byrnes said
he had hoped to discuss national is
sues only and what he had accom-
plished in congress, but as his op-
ponent had made his vote on the
| Bristow amendment the sole issue OF
the campaign he would be forced to
discuss that. He read the amend
ment and asked where was there any,
thing in it that could be construed to
mean what his opponent claimed. Mr..
Byrnes showed where the legislature
| of South Carolina had asked the con-
gressmen from this State to support
this measure, and it was also plank
| in the platform of the Democratic
party. He also showed where the
| Democratic leader, Mr.. Underwood,
and a very large majority of the
| Democratic Senators and Congress-
men voted just as he did, while the
| most bitter Republicans of the North
voted against it, those opposed to it
being such men as Lorimer, Lodge,
Heyburn. Penrose, and other proml-
nent Republicans. Mr.. Byrnes went
into the matter in detail and with
| much spirit, and he was frequently
cheered as he gave the facts to sus-
tain his statement that this vote was
exactly in accord with the Democratic
| party and demanded by it. Mr..
Byrnes said that if he had voted as
Mr.. Calhoun wanted him to he would
have felt that an explanation was nee
essary. He was especially vigorous
when he read several letters from
Senator Tillman and others to whom
Mr.. Calhoun had written, showing
that while Mr.. Calhoun had publish
ed some of the letters received he
had not published all of them, which
was unfair to Senator Tillman as well
as himself. The letter of Senator
Tillman used by Mr.. Calhoun was
dated June 1st, and Mr.. Byrnes read
a letter from Senator Tillman to Mr..
Calhoun dated June Srd, which gave
fuller opinion of the matter. Mr..
Byrnes also read additional letters
from Congressman Adamson and 9TH
ers which were not used by Mr.. Cal
| houn. In dramatic manner MT.