Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-05-16
TUESDAY, MAY 16, 1911.
GOVERNOR TALKS OF THINGS.
Has Something to Say of Mill Mergers
and Other Matters.

Governor Blease on last Saturday
afternoon gave out to the papers the
following statement in writing:
In my opinion the mill mergers now
forming in this state will prove very
injurious to the people of the state as
q whole and as there was so much russ
raised about the railroad merger, / am
surprised that some people are not
taking an interest, as the law directs,
in looking into the mill mergers.
In my opinion, it is only an effort
to absolutely control the price of cot
ton and to control the price of labor
in all cotton mills. Our supreme court
has already held against blacklisting
and gave damages against the head OF
this merger, in one instance, where
this was practiced.
When the merger Is completed, and
the operatives are imposed upon and
see fit to leave mill, 1t is only nee
essary for the president to drop Sc
cret word to the superintendents of his
mills to give that family no employ
ment; hence, the party has no redress
because he can not obtain the proof
as to his being blacklisted.
Effort to Control Votes?
1T is also an effort to control the
vote of the cotton mill people as has
been attempted for some years past,
but in this they will fail, for the mill
people of this state are of our own
blood and skin; they are intelligent,
free and independent and will not be
coerced or controlled in their votes,
and they will resent it, even If 1t costs
them their jobs.
Another thing: the mill merger is
causing people to change their homes,
taking them from one place and car
rying them to where the central offices
are located. l am surprised, in this
respect, that Columbia has not woke
up long ago, for as long as the officers
of these mills are residents of other
cities and the offices are in those cities,
Just that long Columbia will suffer by
the experiment and the fact that the
officers are all in other cities Is injuri-
Gus to Columbia. However Columbia
does not seem to care much about be-
ing injured.
Attacks Secretary Handy.
Her secretary of the Chamber of
Commerce, Mr.. Handy, instead of
making speeches Dragging on Column
bia and advertising Columbia's re-
sources, goes, as the representative of
the Chamber of Commerce, to other
cities and makes up his speeches abu-
sive of the chief executive Of the state,
going so far in Georgetown as to tell
his hosts, who had invited the chief
executive to be present, that they were
lucky that he was not there, and that
they were lucky in having another
state officer, who was so much more
worthy to represent the state, and in
dulged in other personal remarks
against the governor. He paused for
applause, but was met with silence,
and contempt for his urterance was
resented by parties present, from whom
he expected praise.
Instead of encouraging the friends
of the governor to come to Columbia
and spend their money, by his abuse
he causes some of them to remain
away and, instead of paying personal
visits writes letters. OF course, this
if the Chamber of Commerce is ready
and willing to stand for 1t.
SIarderers and Soreheads.
Il have noticed the figures given by
the secretary of state in the morning
papers, stating that many millions or
dollars have been invested In many
new enterprises since the first OF the
year, and that he has turned over
$4,000 more already this year than ne
last year. This, of course, Is very
gratifying to me, and gives very fiat
contradiction to the reports in the re-
cent campaign that If Blease was elect
ed governor, it would hurt the state
financially. This report Of the secre-
tary Of state and the recent borrowing
of money for the state at such a low
rate of interest is a vindication Of my
administration and naturally makes
my friends and myself very proud, ana
l am satisfied that the prosperity or
our state will continue, and that, If a
few slanderers and soreheads were
dispensed with, all would be peace and
harmony.
Individually, 1 am healthy, not
wealthy, but very happy and not the
least worried about criticisms"