The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-07-08
SUMTER. s. c.. WEDNESDAY. JULY g. 1908

Carolina are coming to the same con-
ciusion after trying a lot Of other
men.
Mr.. b. L. Caughman. the incum-
bent. who IL making Q vigorous fight
for reelection. made the usual plea
that the experience Of six years in
omcer rendered him better qualified to
serve the people than when they electd
him. and still better than any Of his
opponents. He related some of the
efforts he has made. while an ofiice-
holder. to serve the people and prom
ised to do still more II given another
term. Sf
Messrs. r. c. Fishburn, Of Collie.
ton. II. w. Richardson. Of Barnwell,
and J. A. Summersett, Of Richland,
the other candidate, for this once,
made plain. practical talks in ex-
PLANTATION of their qualifications for
the ONCE. All OF them have had more
or lees practical training and experi-
encs In the railroad business and for
that reason would enter upon the dis
charge Of the duties of the ONCE with
q clear conception OF what is needed
and knowledge OF how to 60 about
setting the better and safer service
and more equitable freight and PAS
senger rates 10 which the public 10
entitled. These gentlemen all made
excellent talks.
Gov. Ansel was the next speaker
on the programme. He said that 1t
gave him great pleasure to be pres
ent today, that were II possible for
him TO attend all Of the campaign
meetings without neglecting the du-
ties OF the ONCE the people had given
him. he would take pleasure in doing
20. that he intended from the outset
OF the campaign. and intended now,
to speak at every meeting that he
could find time to attend. He then
went into review OF his administers
ton and made a vigorous and earn-
est defence Of the recommendations
he had made to the legislature IN his
annual message. He defended tire
recommendation for an increase in
the governors salary. the erection OF
a new mansion for the governor. the
increase of the tax levy to put the
state on a cash basis. etc. He also
defended his progressive views on the
liquor question and wound up with
a discussion of the educational sy,-
tenn OF the state. In his defense OF
his administration. Gov. Ansel was
more vigorous and his remarks were
more clear cut and decided than
ever noted before In public address
by him. He came out squareiy ard
decidedly In defense OF his policies
and no doubt was left as to where lie
stands on these Issues. But the con-
cluding portion 'pf his speech on the
public schools and general matters
was rather rambling and not particu-
larry germane to the issues of this
campaign. The govei nor was gen.
erously applauded when he was in.
troduced and at several points In his
speech. as we'll as when he conclul.
ed.
Hon. Cole l.. Blease, Of Newberry
who Is opposing Gov. Ansel. intro
duced his remarks with a vigorous
denial OF the report sent out from CO.
lumbia that he had offered to bet
$4,000 that he would be elected gov
ernor. He characterized the report
as a malicious falsehood, concocted
for political effect by man whom ne
had, at the last session Of the Iegis-
lature. denounced on the floor OF the
senate as malicious liar, on account
of a false report then circulated by
him. He referred the crowd to Lieit
Gov. Mcleod for proof as to the
truth or falsity of this statement. lie
said further that this was the first
time In his political career he had
ever been accused Of being a fool, for
none but fool would have offered
To make bet. such as ne was report
ed to have offered to make. knowing.
IA he and every other lawy, ,r knows,
that IL Is unlawful. fact that would
have been seized upon at once by mis-
political enemies He then took up
the discussion of his platform. which
has been published heretofore quite
generally. He said that he charged the
administration with extravaganza and
he was before the public protesting
against the reckless appropriation Of