The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1911-08-11
GOOD ROADS CONVENTION
OPENS IN SPARTANBURC
GOVERNOR COLE. L. BLEASE MADE
GOOD SPEECH.
Many Delegates From All Parts OF
South Carolina-Much EnthuS-
iaSm Shown.
Spartanburg Journal, August s.

Last week the Farmers Union OF
South Carolina requested the minis
ters of the State to pray for rain. Yes
terday was the day set apart for these
prayers. In my church and in num-
5ers of other churches throughout
she State, ministers offered up pray
ers, asking for rain. In the afternoon
in answer to these prayers, a gracious
rain was sent to this and other Sec
tons of South Carolina"
Rev. Lewis NJ. Roper.
After Supervisor Daniel NJ Miles,
had called the first midsummer con
yention of the South Carolina Good
Roads association to order and asked
Rev. Mr.. Roper to lead in prayer he
made the above statement.
Also he requested that before open
ing the convention with prayer the
Doxology be sung. While the vast
audieoce that crowded into the court
room was singing this hymn, Cover
nor. Coleman L. Blease entered and
walked up to one of the tables in
front of the court room and under the
speakers desk. On entering he bow
ed to many of his friends who were
sitting. and standing near by.
" Appropriate Prayer.
Mr. Roper then offered very ap-
propriate prayer, asking the bless
3ngs of the Lord on the noble under
taking for which these many delegates
were assembled.
=. On the completion of the prayer,
Informality ruled for several moments
and an impromptu reception was held
around the spot where the governor
was sitting. His friends and acquain.
tances came forward, shook hands
with him and welcomed him to Spar
tanburg.
Blease was attired in a becoming
blue serge suit and wore tie to
match:
Sam Nichols Talks.
Mr. Miles then introduced Samuel
J. Nichols, city attorney, who welcom-
ed the visitors to the city of Spar
tanburg.
John Wood, secretary of the cham
Der OF commerce then welcomed the
delegates on behalf of the county and
alluded to Spartanburg as the best
county in the entire United States of
America. It was a short but most
appropriate, talk and greatly enjoyed
by the visitors and others. -.
Gov. Cole. L. Blease.
When Mr.. Miles introduced the gov
erhor, Cole. L. Blease, there was great
applause and it was several moments
before he could begin his speech. It
was a fine talk telling of the advan-
sages of good roads, the difficulties
which they assist in overcoming and
Leaving politics out all together. Not
once during the twelve minutes that
he spoke did he allude to anything
political and not once did he take
little fling at~any one. It was a mag
nifcent effort for such an occasion.
He began:
Il am much pleased to be here to-
day in the county of Spartanburg, one
of the most progressive and most
prosperous counties in the United
States of America and one that can
boast of the prosperity of her people;
~ous that does not have to boast of
white supremacy. Different from 9TH
er sections of South Carolina, the
population of Spartanburg county is
such that there is never any "nigger
in the woodpile,' when it comes to
democracy. I
welcoming the delegates to this
convention for the betterr>ent of the
loads on behalf of the entire State, I
wau1. TO say that l am glad to be here
and that you are most cordially vel
eomed. Peace, prosperity AID hap
pines rule. If there be a man who
doubts this, I could only invite him
10 ride over the country near Colum-
bia and ask what the land can be
purchased for. The price of this land
has been increased by the good roads,"
The governor then went on to re-
view the great value of good roads
telling many inst ances where great
prum had been derived from them and
Illustrating the true value, in fin
ancial and other manners. The call
Tr1 of . nhvsic1an when one is need