Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-07-24
CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN

More tnan nunuTeu 1oTh Couh'y
people gathered in the shade Of the big
oaks in the rear Of the Yorkville public
school building yesterday morning on
account Of the congressional campaign
meeting scheduled for this place by
the Fifth district executive committee
The meeting included representatives
from various sections Of the county,
more especially, Glover, Hickory Grove
Sharon, McConnellsville and Bethel,
and was made up for the most part OF
representative farmers along with
sprinkling Of Yorkville business men.
Because Of the well-known ability OF
both Messrs. Finley and Stevenson as
public speakers, and because OF Vari-
Gus questions at issue that have served
as subjects of contention on different
stumps, and because Of various matters
of local concern that were expected To
come up, many York county people
were especially interested in this par
ticular meeting, and there was much
disappointment in the town and COM
munity when it was learned that Mr.
Finley had been recalled to Washing
ton and could not be present.
DR.. ]. H. Saye presided over the
meeting in place Of w. w. Lewis, coun-
ty chairman, and Rev. E. E. Gillespie
pastor of the First Presbyterian church
opened the proceedings with an appro-
pirate invocation, after which DR.. Saye
introduced Mr.. Stevenson.
Mr.. Stevenson spoke for about an
hour and a quarter. He began by ex-
pressing regret that his opponent was
not present. They had been together
he said, at his own town Of Cheraw'
throughout his county and at other
places in the district during the past
week, and he had hoped that they
could be together in Yorkville and
among Mr. Finley's own people. He
had things to say he said that could be
said to better advantage in Mr. Finley
presence than in his absence. Then he
proceeded to discuss various matters,
including the river and harbor appro-
priations, Federal neglect OF its re-
sponsibility as to the construction and
maintenance Of post roads, the repeal
of free tolls law, the splendid character
and craftsmanship Of President Will
son, the pension question and the rela-
ton Of Champ Clark thereto and his
own record as a legislator, Democrat
and a public servant. He was listened
to with close attention throughout, was
interrupted but once, and that with a
respectful question, and when he con-
cluded received a round Of approving
applause.
In beginning his speech. Mr.. Steven
son referred to a colloquy between
himself and his opponent at the open
ing meeting at Cheraw. Mr.. Finley had
remarked the fact that Mr.. Pollock
candidate for the United States senate
and Mr.. Stevenson, a candidate Tor
congress, live in the same town, ana
said that If both should be elected, and
both should claim the prerogatiye OF
appointing the local postmaster the
result might be confusion, especially II
they should be unable to agree. The
speaker said that his reply was to the
effect that he did not see any trouble
about that because in matter OF that
kind, he and Mr.. Pollock would certain
ly know enough to call in a third party
hn
but even if they were unable to agree
at all, their predicament would not be
any worse than the one with which his
opponent seems to be wrestling. The
term of the Yorkvile postmaster, for
instance had expired four months ago,
and although Mr. Finley has no one
else to consult in the matter, up to this
time at least he appears to have made
a mistrial with himself. He. the speak
he, and Mr.. Pollock. could do no worse
than that:
The speaker then told of his connec=
ton with the penltentiary investigation
some years ago. with the result OF con-
victing the superintendent of the peni-
tiary who was afterward pardoned, Of
his connection with dispensary inyes-
tigation that resulted in the saying of
$5OO,D00 to the state. and told of the
part he played in adding all this money
to the common school fund. i Was
unnecessary. he said, to go into the re-
cent investigation in connection with
the state hospital for the insane be-
cause with the facts as to this his
hearers are perfectly familiar. He had
never been a follower of Ben Tillman,
he said, but when Tillman got the
Democratic nomination. he saw to it
that Chesterfield county gave him her
solid vote from stem to stern:
Mr.. Stevenson went into his c0nnec-