The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1906-08-22

stand. During the whole excitement
there was not a weapon drawn nor
any attempt to draw a weapon.
There were about one thousand
people present and they had their
friends among the candidates, but
they were not looking for trouble, and
it was simply the excitement of the
moment in connection with the ru-
1nors that had been circulated
throughout the state that caused the
rush towards thes stand.
Ragsdale and Evans Make State
nents.
Your correspondent had talk
with both Mr.. Evans and Mr.. Rags
dale this afternoon. Mr.. Evans said
that he had no idea of anything when
he first approached the stand during
Mr.. Lyons speech except to prevent
a possible difficulty between Mr.. Lyon
and Mr.. Ragsdale.
Mr.. Ragsdale said: I was very par
ticular in my speech to state that
would make no personal attacks upon
the character Of any one. confined
myself strictly to criticisms Of Mr..
Lyons political record. I was very
much surprised when he denounced
me as a demagogue and a political
trickster, because I have cnducted my
campaign on a high plane and have
refrained from doing that which is
unfair T have Interrupted him be-
fore. and I interrupted him today be-
cause I felt that he had no right to
attack my character, and I preferred
for the matter to be adjusted at the
time and before the people where the
charges were made. I merely went
forward on The stump in order to de-
fend my character and to put myself
in a proper light before the people to
whom am a comparative stranger.
Rassdale Had Criticised Lyon First.
During the course of his speech Mr..
Ragsdale had severely criticised Mr..
Lyons record, saying he had spent
fifteen thousand dollars, had en-
ployed several detectives, a corps OF
lawyers, and had the power to hold
m half million dollars worth Of
Gains, had unlimited power and yet
had prosecuted nobody for being coz
rupt, having brought no indictments
AGAINST any one He had also said 1t
was strange that Mr.. Lyon had
thought it necessary to secure a GER
r;fcate from the Abbeville Bar to the
effect that Nlr. Lyon was a practicing
attorney and had had cases in the
Supreme Court.
With the, exception of this incident
the meeting went along smoothly
throughout.
The Other Candidates.
The candidates for railroad com
missioner spoke first, and We're fol-
lowed by the candidates FOR Governor.
There was very little applause of any
kind. except that Mr.. Blease received
al ovation when he took the stand.
Mr. W. A. Edwards was not pres
ent and Mr.. A. C. Jones was the first
Guhernatorial candidate. He stated
his position clearly and fully. Mr. ].
j. NcIahan, candidate, made good
speech along the line he has taken
throughout the campaign. Lieut..
Governor John T. Sloan stated his
position and thought he should he
promoted. He attacked Mr.. Ansel,
saying Mr.. Ansel loved a pie which
has prohibition crust and dispen-
sary blackberries underneath. Mr..
Martin F. Ansel advocated good
roads and stated his position on the
liquor question, wanting to give the
counties local option as between coun-
ty dispensaries and county prohibi-
ton.
Blease Attacks Newbcrry Prohibition.
Mr.. Blease, of Newbergy, injected
some ginger into the meeting. He
was received with liberal applause
and he proceeded to attack prohibi-
! ZION in Newberry, saying that it was a
farce. He challenged anyone to prove
corruption in the State dispensary. If
corruption was proven against any
man who was connected With the dis
aensary he would himself prosecute
IN the Courts. If prohibition had been
success in Newberry he said then
Mayor Brown should be ashamed Of
himself Of convicting SO many inno-
cent men for the violation Of the dis
! Iensary law. About this time Mr..
Hlease looked over the audience and