The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-14
CITIZEN JOSH ASHLEY.
The Farmer Who May Become a Candi-
date for Governor of South Carolina.

| The Farmer Who May Become Candi-
date for Governor of South Carolina.
A special dispatch to the New York
Sun from Charleston. S. c.. says: Cit
izen Josh Ashley of Anderson county
! is a power in the state legislature which
| is row in session at Columbia. Six years
| ago when he went into politics he could
| not write his name, but now he can
sign his check with any man. A year
ago it was suggested that he would be
the man to oppose Senator Tillman for
reelection but just now he is spoken of
as a candidate for governor of the state.
Ashley dropped into politics all in a
bunch. One day he attended cam
paign meeting in his county where Till
man was just showing himself into
prominence. The meeting was exciting
Men stood about with siX-shooters in
their clothes, and the excitement spread
to Ashley. There never was any ques-
ton of his courage, and it was hard for
him to go back home and settle down
after seeing the sights of the campaign.
AS he drove his little mule homeward
he thought the matter over with him
self
by gosh" he unused, whats the use
to live on the farm? Hits too slow. BY
gosh! III jist git in the game and see
the fun"
The following day it was announced
that Josh Ashley was a candidate for
the legislature. The thing seemed funny
to the voters, but he meant business.
and he soon had his canvass in full
swing. His one utterance of the cam
paign has become famous. He was
speaking one day and a young fellow
who wanted to beat him out called at
tention to the fact that Mr.. Ashley
could not write his name. Ashley lis
tened. The statement hurt him, for it
was true, but it was not his fault. Fin
ally he got up to reply.
Hits true what the chap said" re-
marked Josh, but I'd like to say l kin
scratch my mark on a bank check and
git sight more money than him."
That reply made him a "citizen." He
made a splendid run and headed the
ticket in the primary election. In 90
lumbia he took little time to learn the
legislative ropes, and now when there
is an important measure to be introduce
ed the man who has it first consults
Josh Ashley.
When Ashley was elected he could
not write his name. He began life just
after the war when he did not own the
ragged shirt on his back He worked
on a farm and saved every cent he
| earned. After a time he bought a strip
of land, worked hard year after year
and lived economically, and now he is
reputed to be worth at least $4,000. The
money he draws in Columbia is sent to
| the farm. His salary as a legislator is
81 day, and he lives on so cents.
While Admiral Bunce had the white
| squadron maneuvering off Charleston
two years ago the legislature was in
vited here one day to meet Secretary
of the Navy Herbert. The trip was free
and so Josh Ashley took it in He met
Admiral Bunce and called him "Ad."
He called Secretary Herbert "Seck."
The captains were Cap" and the lieu
| tenants were Loot
In the legislature the members have
| ceased to make Josh Ashley the bu-- of
| their jokes and fun. He is lacking in
| educa ton, but he can measure wits
| with any member He is a foe to cor
pOrations. The fact that he is looked
upon as a gubernational possibility is
causing considerable interest and an
xiety, and if he decides to run he will
| poll a tremendous vote.