The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-09-15

., OSpS'
Hon Cole. L. Blease, Governor, Co.
Iumbia, S. C.-Dear Sir: T hereby ten
der my resignation as chief justice, to
take effect January 9, 1912. Very re-
spectfully,
Ira B. Jones.
The Lancaster News: You are au-
thorized to state that if Providence
permits I will certainty be candidate
in the primary next August for nomi-
nation as governor.
(Signed) Ira 3. Jones.
Lancaster, September II.
Statesman Without a Job.
The forwarding to Gov. Blease an
Official formal statement of his resig-
nation as chief justice, and within "a
hours, the definite announcement that
he would enter the race for governor
next summer, place Chief Justice Ira
B. Jones as the first certain candidate
to test the issue with Gov. Blease for
the gubernatorial term Of 1913-1914.
Mr.. Jones has taken the stand which
Gov. Please declared recently in Char
lesion he would not take, and has TAX
en- the risk Of being the statesman
without job" which the governor
said he would be should he resign his
position as chief justice Of the South
Carolina supreme court.
The resignation and, announcement
have been rumored in various quarters
of the State for several weeks, but they
come as a surprise to even those who
have been expecting his candidacy. By
many it has not been considered that
he would relinquish the highest judi
cial office in the State, of which he
may have been certain for life, at a
salary equal to that of the governor, in
order to become a candidate for the
executive OuGS, ...,.
49, 49, A Reformer.
1t is universally conceded in politi.
cal circles that Chief Justice Jones at
any time would make a most foTnli-
dable, if not an invincible, candidate
for any Office in the State. He is
product of the reform movement, one
of the ablest and most aggressive lead
ers of the warm political fights Of the
early 90's, but his career on the su
preme bench has been highly distin-
guished for fairness and judicial in
-egrity no less than for scholarship,
learning and ability.
y. Impressive Personality.
Chief Justice Jones is man of
most impressive personality, vlrile,
aggressive, alert and absolutely fear
less. Quick in debate, resourceful,
thoroughly familiar with South Caro-
lima affairs, he would at any time and
against any opposition be difficult
man to handle Oh the stump, and
should Gov. Blease stick to his deter
animation to offer for reelection next
wear, the candidacy of Mr.. Jones makes
it certain that there will be at least one
antagonist able to cope with the gov
ernor, whose stump speaking ability is
highly regarded by his friends. Sew
eral other influential, strong men, have
been mentioned recently for governor,
but so far none of them has made any
announcement as to his intentions.
Tillman's Attitude.
What position Senator Tillman will
take with regard to race for COVER
nor between Messrs. Jones and Slease
is a matter about which there is con-
siderable speculation among those in
terested in politics. 1t is conceded that
an active and avowed championship
of either candidate by the senior SEN
ator would be an important factor.
\ A Local 0ptionist.
AS to the liquor question, Chief JUS
sic2 Zones is by principle loca! or-