The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1908-07-01
Three Hundred Voters
Hear the Candidates.

here yesterday. About 3UO voters
were present. The meeting was pre-
sided over by County Chairman D. F.
Efrd, and Rev. A. S. Leslie, pastor
of the Methodist church, offered a
short prayer, after which the chair
man Introduced Mr.. N. W. Brooker,
candidate for Comptroller General.
Mr.. Brooker spoke of his fitness for
the Office and ridicu]ed the position of
the incumbent, Mr.. A. w. Jones.
Mr.. Jones was absent on account of
sickness.
The candidates for Superintendent
of Education spoke next. MIR. John
L. Swearingen, who by the way is
nephew of Senator Tillman, was the
first speaker. He told of his struggles
to get an education. and of his mis-
fortune, but declared with emphasis,
that he could do as much work in the
Office of State Superintendent OF Edu-
cation, as any man in South Carolina.
At the conclusion of his speech he
was literally applauded.
Mr.. E. G. Elmore, of Spartanburg,
followed. He told of his work along
educational lines in his home county,
Spartanburg, and upon this record he
was seeking promotion.
Mr.. Stiles r. Melichamp, Of Orange
burg, spoke of the kinship that ex-
listed between Orangeburg and Lex
ington. He spoke of the usefulness
of our Lever, and how he was appre-
ciated in Orangeburg. He was well
received.
Candidates for Railroad Commis-
sioner spoke next. Mr.. Cansler, of
Tirzah, who has been candidate tor
this Office before, spoke first: He is
an original character. He Jollled his
opponents and made good impress
sion.
Mr.. B. L. Caughman, who is seek
ing reelection, followed Mr.. Cansler.
He is a native Lexingtonian and the
mention of his name brought forth
storm of applause. He is seeking the
suffrage of his fellow citizens upon
the record he has made. Mr. Caugh-
man was generously app]auded at the
conclusion of his speech.
F. G. Fishburne, of Charleston, re-
ferred pleasantly to the ladies. He is
the father of twelve children. He ap-
pealed to the people to vote for him
on account of what he has done for
the poor people of the state.
II. w. Richardson never sought
public Office before; is no politician
and is not we'll advertised. Is a ma
tive of Barnwell, practical business
man and farmer of some success.
Served with Hampton in '76 and sold
own cotton to buy rifles for this con-
fict. Satisfied that he is qualified for
the duties of the Office.
James A. Summersett said it was
pleasure to meet Lexington people
and he thanked them for the vote
two wears ago. All the candidates
were shooting at him. The railroads
pay Is per cent ofthe taxes and per-
haps should have some representa-
ton.
Col. II. T. Thompson. of Columbia,
a candidate for adiutant and inspec-
tor general next spoke. He made an
excellent speech and was well re-
| ceived.
Maj. J. @. Boyd, the other candi-
date for this Office, was absent, as
was J. F. Lyon, for attorney general
and R. W. McCown, secretary of
| state.
Capt. r. H. Jennings, who is with
out opposition, thanked the people of
this county Cor their votes in the past
and will continue to discharge the du-
ties of the office of state treasurer to
the best of his ability.
CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR.
Senator Cole L. Blease of Newber-
! rv. was introduced amid q storm of
| applause. He ridiculed Gov. Ansel
for not vetoeing the large appropria-
tion bill, and for recommending the
increase of salaries when the state
was already in debt several hundred
thousand dollars. No need for an in
surance commissioner and criticized
the legislature for establishing the Of
flee. He stood for the state dispen-
sary to the last, but when the major
ity declared for local option he yield
ed like man. Is in favor of letting
a county have what it wants. Op.
posed to Ansels proposition to vote
out liquor and then vote it back; op-
posed to proposition of having only
one dispensary in a county, because
it would be unfair to the other towns.
Mr.. Blease was literally applauded
throughout his speech and he sat
down amid round of cheers.
Gov. Ansel reviewed his record as
governor, saying that he had dis
charged the duties of the Office as
best he could without fear or favor.
Is opposed to ''indiscriminate immi-
grafton. German immigrants always
first build homes then churches and
school houses. Stated in message
that the liquor law be amended so
that some of the counties would not
have 80 many dispensaries. Impress
ed the Importance of registration 80
as to be able to vote in general elec-
ton. Matter of railroad mileage
books belongs to railroad commission.
Believes in education and makes a
plea for it in the colleges and high
schools. Gov. Ansel was at his best
and was applauded at the conclusion
of his address.
At the conclusion of Gov. Anseps
speech Congressman Lever, by spe-
cial invitation, made an address. he
received an ovation, the like of which