Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-13
THE STATE CAMPAIGN.


campaign crowd, including the candi-
dates for solicitor, congress and the
United States senate, were due to come
to Yorkville this morning, and they
came-some Of them did; but there
was a very slim audience in attend
ance, not more than fifty in all.
The meeting was called to order
shortly after II o'clock by Col. w. w.
Lewis, county chairman, with only
the following candidates present: ].
K. Henry, G. w. Ragsdale, Col. w. J.
Talbert and N. B. Dial.
Solicitor Henry was the first candi-
date introduced; but his remarks were
very brief. He commented humorous
ly on the small crowd in attendance,
but gave those present to understand
that he appreciated their coming out
all the same. However, since he was
so we'll known to those present by rea-
son Of his long service, and because Of
the absence of his opponent against
whom he had nothing to say anyway,
he hardyl considered 1t good taste to
take up the time Of the meeting with
extended remarks anyway. He was
quite sure that nothing he could say in
his own behalf would have the slight
est effect on single voter present.
Mr.. G. w. Ragsdale was the next
speaker. He referred to the absence
Of both his opponents, but explained
that he would not say anything in
their absence that he had not already
Mr.. Finley's vote on what is known as
the Bristow amendment, as an error
Of judgment. The Bristow amend
ment, he explained, was a provision
that had been tackled on the congress
sional resolution submitting to the
states the question Of adopting a con-
stitutional amendment providing for
the election Of United States senators
by the people. He explained that ev-
erybody was In favor Of the election
Of United States senators by the peo-
Pile; but 1t Is grave mistake to put
the elections under Federal SUPER
vision. Here, he claimed, was where
Mr.. Finley had made grave mistake.
He went on to refer to Mr.. Finleys
long term Of service, and claimed that
1t was time to make change and
give somebody else a show. He claim
ed that Mr.. Finley was not entitled to
exclusive credit for the establishment
or maintenance Of the rural free de-
livery service, which system, he said,
would go on after the retirement Of
Mr.. Finley. He said also that others
had a part in the erection Of public
buildings at Rock Hill, Chester, Gaff-
ney. etc. He frankly conceded that
York county held the key to the situa-
tion by reason of her strong vote; but
he thought 1t was time that York
county should be willing to give some
Of the other counties Of the district
show. Surely, he declared, York coun-
ty would not claim that Mr.. Finley
is the abelst man for the place in the
district. Mr.. Ragsdale reviewed his
own legislative experience and claim
ed to be eminently qualified to fill the
position now held by Mr. Finley.
Chairman Lewis read letter from
Mr.. Finley expressing his regret that he
could not be present because the post
office and other appropriation bills re-
quired his presence in Washington.
The last speakers were Col. N. B.
Dial Of Laurens and Col. w. ]. Talbert
Of Edgefeld, candidates for the United
States senate Col. Dial urged his
claims for the nomination on basis Of
his record as business man and prom
ised that If sent to the United States
senate he would devote himself to the
development Of the business and indus
trial needs Of the sGate. Col. Talbert
urged as the basis of his claims, his
lifelong alliance to the principles of
true reform and his record as a men,
ber Of congress. He insisted that he
was a reformer at the beginning Of the
Reform movement and that he Is a
Reformer now. holding to his original
Democratic principles Of equal rights to
all and special privileges to none.
The candidates had not concluded
when 1t was necessary for The En-
quirer to go to press; but the under
standing was that all Of them would
probably secure conveyance and 90 to
the picnic at Oak ridge where they
expected to find larger crowd Of peo-
pie to listen to their respective calims.