The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-08-08

thought that Mr.. Epps was the mem
Der who had done most to cndangcr
the passage of the bill. Mr. Epps had
opposed this bill on the one hand,
when he had the opportunity to re-
quire the railroads to furnish suitable
accommodation but had wanted the
twO-ccnt rate bill, showing his course
to be seemingly inconsistent.
! Mr.. Epps had not voted on the
Fortner bill either time it came to u
vote. although he was present, ut least
ono time. Everybody knew where he
stood on the Blcase issue too we'll to
get his attitude mixed.
He stated that Mr.. Epps had voted
to override the veto Of the governor
to pay out $1,000 to the Colored Fair
Association. His opponent had also
voted to override the governors veto
to pay to four commissioners the sum
OF $500 to operate a farm of thirty
acres for the benefit of the inmates
of the state hospital. Mr.. Epps had
voted to give $1,000 to the Live
Stock Breeders Association, again
showing his seeming inconsistency. At
this point there was some laughing in
the audience at Mr.. Clifton's sallies.
Mr.. Clifton warned those who were
laughing that his opponents record
was not laughing matter, saying that
his opponent had written u book, and
by that book he was being judged.
Mr.. Clifton referred to the fact that
some of the state officers wanted Of
flces away from the State house. say
ing that Mr.. Epps had voted to pay
$4,000 year rent for quarters In the
Union National Bank building In Co.
lumb1a, over the veto of governor, but
this item was not passed. He did not
think that anyone could charge hin,
with failing to do his duty in the time
he had represented the people. Ill.
had never failed nor would ever fail
to vote for measures which would
benefit the old soldier, as his opponent
had done.
He referred to the action of the last
State convention in adopting the new
primary rules, saying that he had op-
posed the two-year rule and the per-
sonal signing of the club rolls. He did
not have the poor man in his mind,
but he had sought to do justice by
every white Democrat in the State.
lie had thought Charleston the chic
source of causes for changes in the
primary rules, but the convention had
seen tit to make rules for Charleston
county different from those through
out the State.
lie stated that he had been county
chairman and senator and during that
time he had never asked anyone how
to vote. He had always tried to vote
as 1T was his duty to vote and to be
consiacratc and courteous to all.
ing the Bells Mill plantation which
had been exempted from taxation by
act OF the last legislature, saying that
ne had only one vote in the delcga-
tion. a hospital was a charitable in
stitution and it's property, as such,
was exempted from taxation. If any
one. the township board, the auditor
or citizen, found that it was not serv-
ing this purpose, he could replace il
on the tax books. If mistake had
been made, it could Very easily be re-
paired. Mr.. Clifton was applaudcd.
Mr.. Epps asked for IL reply to new
matters mentioned by Mr. Clifton, but
Mr.. clifton opposed this. There was
some argument, Mr.. Clifton calling on
the other legislative candidates to set
tic the matter once and for all. Mr.
Bclser stated that it was immatcrial
to him. Othor candidates did not say
cilhcr way. The chairman and mem
bers Of the audience settled the matter
by allowing the reply to Mr.. Epps,
u member of the audience saying
Now that we have had rain, we can
stay all day to lsten."
Mr.. Epps denied ever having cast a
vote against an old soldier, saving
that the vote was on IL different mat
Ter. He denied ever having taught in
ihllippihc negro school, a fling
made by Mr.. Clifton during his speech.
lie stated that nc had been the person
TO discover that the county had an i'm
'crcst I'm the city hall site and he
thought for this reason he was some
! what entitled to some OF the credit for
inc sum realized by the county by the
sale of the property.
In reference to the renting of the
'hiOn National bank quarters for
| Slutc OtIicpS