The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1906-04-04
GUBERNATORIAl RACE
State Senator Cole L. Blease States
His Position, as q Candidate For
Governor, On tie Dispensary and
Other Matters.

Other Matters.
Newberry, Special.-State Sena-
tor Cole l.. Bleasc was seen and
his attention was called to the re-
ports published in the newspapers
throughout tic State-t to the effect that
he wouId be in the next gubernator-
ial campaign. Mr.. Blease was asked
tC make a definite statement in re-
gard to his candidacy. He was asked
| the direct question, :'Will you be
candidate for Governor this sum-
| mer?'
Eyes, sir; I am in the race" he
said. Il have been for some time and
expect to be in until the tinish.'
1T appears that probably the lead
ing issue in the coming campaign will
be the liquor question: whar is your
| position on the dispenSary? was
asked Mr.. Blease.
II think it very unfortunate that
Cur people should have reached the
point where dealing with the whiskey
problem IS 10 be the paramount issue
OF the State campaig1l," he replied;
"especialIv at this this tine when
matters commercial and industrial.
There are many things which the peo-
PIE should consider in electing thcir
officers besides this one. However,
| in 1892 | voted for the diSpensary ana
/ have been from that time and an.
now in favor Of the dispensary sys-
tenn. That IS: I am in favor Of the
repeal Of the Brice law. / an in ia
vor OF the dispensary system for The
handling OF The whliskcv question. Us
believe it 10 be the best solution.
[ think it too large Il question to be
made local issue. 1t is a State Is
ste. and should be decided by The
whole people ct the State in d pri-
mary election. [ have always apl,os-
ed submitting it in d general eiec-
ton. because that would allow q class
Of people to vote who should not be
permitted to settle question between
the white Democrats.
"Are You in favor Of the State
dispensa1y?"
II am. because I believe it is The
best way to manage the business. II,
as some charge. il. is corrupt, how
much more room would there be for
corruption if there were Il purchas
inc powers instead Of onc. In othe,.
words. ! am il favor Of the State dis
pensary management and the repeal
| Of The BIice law
| Mr.. Blease was asked what he
would do with the counties which
have already voted out the dispen-
sary under the Brice law.
"If the people of the State vote In
favor Of State management and the
repeal OF the Brice law was his re-
ply, the General Assembly would then
pass such laws as would permit the
Establishment Of dispensaries lii all
counties where there are none or for-
bid the establishment OF dispensarlcs
in such counties. upon certain! cond9~
tions. and IL those counties whlcl.
have voted cut the dis:,efsary We're tv
comply with these provisions THAI,
| aispensaries would be re-eStablistet,
therein. In 1902, when ! WEs 6 eaD,
iiadia for Lieu!enauI Iover1er, |
told the people al ose? l;le State
that the whiskey question vas aot seta
tied. although some candidates pro.
claimed from the stump in loud tones
that it had been settled and that ihs
| people were satisfied. ! knew theu
fiat It vas rot true and that the cam
paigl then 5eil" managed i'll the form
that it was was only to blind the dis
l.ensarv people. 1t has come out as l.
Predicted. The fight had then JUST
teg:sn. The dispensary people were
sleeping. The combination against ]:
= all its enemies was lying dormant
f. lie purpose OF striking 1t, its
death blow. Just as / thought tho
thing las t,l.nc1 Out. and there arc
row people claim ing to be for the dis
p2nsary who are hoping to get Office
,.3on it. and at heart would mash the
! ..;eer ,:ur of i il it we're in their pow
r!.'
Are there any other matters
which would Ike 70 mentl0nF|
Was asked Senator Hiease.
Yes. sir" lie replied. Il am IN
iayor Of biennial sessions Of the Cen
eral Assembly. ! ar IN favor Of "a
law prohibiting children under -
years Of age from NTorklng III cotton
mills. am in favor Of a law limiting
the hours of labor in cotton mills
TO Ten hours per day. and for rail-
~,ad employees making it not mora
than thirteen hours Per day. am III
favor Of !ib"lal appropriation to pro.
vide for our tcuf6 t!erate soldiers. t
ON in favr1 Of liberal. but 10 extra
:Hgan:. approximations for our State
institutions Of learning. and IN favo':
,;. h,,;l lin,r III, tive FREQ school SVStenI