The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-06-24
Senator Blease.
ator Blease said in part:


to the constitution Of the Democratic
party. the party to which my people
have belonged for generations, and
to which belong, to which I belong
ed in 1876 and have ever since be-
longed, and for which I followed
Hampton, Butler and Gary and 1878,
when--although but a boy-I rode as
a courier in the Red Shirt parades at
Newberry and obeyed, along with my
people and your people, every call
that was made upon us. and now, still
answering her commands, I am here,
and will at every campaign meeting
held for State officers to address my
fellow Democrats as a candidate for
the Office of governor, in obedience tc
the constitution of the Democratic
party Of South Carolina.
Il am told that I should not op-
pose Gov Ansel, for he Is entitled tc
second term. If he is let him show
what he has done to merit it,
For his platform Senator Blease
said that he favored an honest ad-
ministration Of all laws, fairly and
impartially. to all citizens alike; en-
forcing all laws and obedience to the
constitutions Of the State and nation;
trial by jury for all persons accused
Of crime and enforcing the Judgment
of the courts as founded on these
yerdicts; keeping forever separate
the three departments Of government,
but with each endeavoring to uphold
and support the other.
He stated that he was in favor Of
biennial sessions Of the general as
sembly. liberal appropriations for
Confederate veterans. liberal. but not
extravagant, appropriations for State
schools. the building up Of the free
school system SO that every white
child in the State may get a good
common school education, and better
salaries for teachers, but is opposed
to the higher education Of the negro
race and Of the taxes paid by white
people going to other than white
schools. He was in favor Of a strict
enforcement Of the vagrancy laws,
and wants a law requiring a certifi-
cate or the registration Of. the mar
riages In the clerk OF courts office.
He ia opposed to the present meth
cd Of securing immigration, favors
amending the lien law, fiat railroad
passenger rate Of 1-2 cents, but op-
poses the rules now in force as to the
use OF mileage books and the charg-
ing Of Is cents excess for failure to
purchase tickets. He was opposed,
he said. to the bill introduced in the
Senate at the last session making the
present rules the law Of this State,
and of this he pointedly said:
From whence did the bill come,
and who recommended it's passage
after conference "had with the pres
ident and other representatives Of the
Southern Railway"
When the bill came to the Senate
fought 1t and am now opposed to
It's provisions.
Senator Blease declared himself as
favoring county local option since
the elimination OF the State dispen-
sary. Should there be license sys-
tenn he would favor the most rigorous
enforcement Of the laws regulating
the sale Of whiskey in this manner.
He is absolutely opposed to the old
bar room system, he declared, and
would under no circumstances sign
a bill to reinstate that system. II the
general assembly were to pass a pro-
hibitiOn bill, he said, he would sign
and enforce 1t. but he is opposed to
the passage Of general prohibition
law allowing the voting in Of dispen-
saries, as he does not believe that
those counties that now have dispen-
saries and are satisfied with them
should be put to the trouble and ex-
pense Of another election. The
speaker said that he favored a lib
eral policy.
The speaker said he was in favor
OF running the government Of the
State on a liberal basis. but not an
extravagant one, "as is now being
DONE" he added parenthetically. He
would have the tax levy made as low
as possible.
AS to the fitness for the position to
which he aspires Senator Blease
pointed to his record in public and
private life. and invited personal In
quiries as to his reputation.
CLARK THE FAVORITE.