Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-09-15
fFrom the Columbia. state.)

chief justice of the supreme court o.
this state received calls from many
men to become a candidate for gov
ernor of South Carolina
To comply with those calls, MI
Jones on Monday resigned as chic
justice, and on Tuesday announced hi!
candidacy for governor, Providence
permitting, in the campaign next sum.
mer.
It is one Of the first prerogatives Of
a citizen to weigh and choose between
men whom he would entrust with the
execution Of the laws Of his state, anc
there is no higher patriotic duty thar
for a citizen to respond to such draft.
ing to the public service. In the cal
to Mr.. Jones and in his response there
was the exercise, therefore, Of higf
civic right.
The most remarkable part of the po-
litical incident is the resignation oi
honor and dignity, which he could
doubtless have held for life without
contest to struggle in the gubernatoria
field. Furthermore, he surrenders one
office long in advance of contesting fol
the other. History tells US Of men TAX.
ing position on that plane in the earlier
half of the last century, but the pres
ent generation is unused to such pro-
ceedings.
It will doubtless be held that the ap-
parent sacrifice Of Chief Justice Jones
is not necessary; that there are
others to discharge the high obligation
of citizenship, who may do so with
out surrendering their life's work
That Is a question which only the indi-
vidual most concerned Is capable Of
determining. Outsiders cannot judge
of the weight of the obligation as Il
may appear to the chief justice. And
after all, perhaps he realizes the high
est reward q public man may hope
for is the knowledge that he has made
sacrifices in the public service and fol
the welfare of his state.
(From the Gaffney Ledger)
Chief Justice Ira B. Jones has SEM
in his resignation, effective January
next. and it Is presumed will oppose
Governor Blease in the next primary
Mr.. Jones sure has job on his hands
The governor has turned enough out OF
the penitentiary to more than make
up for any losses he may have sus-
tanned. It's not going to be any shoot
ing the chute proposition to dislodge
Coley, and don't you believe 1t. Every
crook in South Carolina and few de-
cent people will rally to his support.
(From the News and Courier)
We are not forgetful Of the memora-
BILE campaign in which Wade Hampton
led his people out Of the wilderness OF
Reconstruction to victory and freedom
when we declare our belief that there
has been nothing finer in the polltlcal
history of South Carolina than the re-
tirement of Chief Justice Ira b. Jones
from the position which he has held
with such distinction upon the supreme
bench of the state in order that ne may
lead the fight to redeem South Carolina
from Bleaseism.
None who know Mr.. Jones, and who
appreciate the nature of the contest
which he has essayed to enter Will
doubt that he has steered his course In
response to the call of what he deems
a patriotic duty. His position as a
member Of the supreme court and the
presiding officer of that body, was
practically assured for life. He relln-
ouishes it to enter the field OF active
politics as the champion Of decency
against the man who has done more
than any other to humble South Caro-
lima in the dust of humiliation, and he
does so knowing full well the odds
against which he must fight, ana not
of the vituperation ana
abuse of which he will be made the
target. o,
What more splendid test of the mag
nificent courage Of this new leader can
any one ask? What finer testimony 10
his confidence in the people for Whom
he has shown his readiness 10 sacri-
flee himself? ., oo,,,d
We do not believe that there could
have been found throughout the length
and breadth of South Carolina any
other man possessing so many elements
of strength and fitness for such a con-
test as that upon when CnleL 1ustiGe
Iones has embarked. Physically he Is
still in his prime, of dignified bearing
and commanding appearance. HIS
early experiences in politics were as
lieutenant of Senator Tillman, but even
in the days of intense factionalism ne