The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-06-26

Judge Jones, he Was bound IN honor
to vote fer prohibition In that case,
whatever his personal preferences
since he had been elected under the
pledge to abide by the expressed wish
of his county for prohibition.
Gov. Blease had charged that Jones
was the first mar to vote when sew
eral actions obnoxious to the COVER
nor were taken by ! the legislature.
Governor Blease knows better than
that" Judge Jones said. He knows
that on any matter the speaker of the
house votes last, but that in the 1uor-
raj he first vote recorded is his" a
detail of official courtesy.
As to Divorce
"He saws | voted for a divorce
law" the speawer declared. Il did. l
believed, and believe, that the whole
trend of civilized thought has indi-
Gated that perhaps South Cardinals
unique position was not the best IN
that matter. l voted to grant di-
vorce for adultery, no other cause;
and yet Gov. Blease intimates l wish
to open the way to immortality" But
the people had written ho-divorce in
to their constitution, he aid, II
now he would not change the law II
he could-and he couldn't If he would
He was entirely content to accept the
verdict TO the people.
Judge Jones pleaded guilty to the
charge OF having voted for free pass
es. Il grant" he said, that l was
fool enough to do it. thought 1t a
criticism and insult to a man in pub
lie life to suggest that ne could be-
influenced by such a little thing IS
a free pass: But it Is right that state
officials should be forbidden to ac-
cept even such favors.
But what of Gov. Blease? When
the bill against free passes was adopt
ed he was not recorded as voting at
all. However, in 1892, after it had
become law, it was proposed to re-
the measure, and then klease
was found voting in favor Of repeal,
so that he could get a free pass"
As to Separate Coaches
Judge Jones said 1t was perfectly
true that he voted against the bill
for separate coaches for the races
on railway trains in the form pro-
because the railways were
struggling, and furthermore, it was
extremely doubtful whether the meas
IRE was constitutional. After he lett
the legislature the constitution was
changed and under the new constitu-
ton the legislature was D 10 enact
a separate coach law that would
stand some chance Of passing safe
ly through the courts. -,
But let's quit the defensive" said
Judge Jones. u am campaigning
against the greatest demagogue that
ever ruled in South Carolina. l pro-
nose to meet the issues as they come,
out | can. not mach demaguery with
him. / hold up my life for eXamlna-
ion. l dare any man to find in my
life that which could bring a blush to
he cheek of any one OF my loVed
,nes. Select for your governor the
nan against whom no attacks relating
10 character can be made, whatever
errors of judgment he may fall into
On the Offensive
ave Incident go into ancient his
DRY to find material for criticism
n Gov. Blease's record" the speaker
continued. Blease he said, vetoed
he act to prohibit unnaturallzed tor-
.isners from voting in the primaries
an act passed in the interest OF the
people Of the State. Judge Jones
said Govt. Blease vetoed the act LOT
Investigation of the Murray commits
sion. though he had asked for 1t and
had grossly slandered the members OF
that board. He vetoed the FACTORY IN
spection bill. passed in 1911, and IN
tended to protect the people employ,
ed in the cotton mill; then he paid
Green about 5000 a month to inspect
by mail and make fake reports with
material taken from Commissioner
W~atson's reports. He vetoed the act
tor medical inspection Of schools. He
tried, by his veto to cripple tn'
state board of health and prevent the
distribution of free diptheria anti
toxin, though this distribution bene-
fitted the children OF the poor, Cspe-
cially, since anti-toxin Is rare n eX-
pensive. :.
Judge Jones referred again to the
act of the governor in pardoning MS
ellen, Wash Hunter and said that in
defending Hunter the governor crltl-
cised C. A.. Woods Of Darlington as
sociate justice-"who would cut OH
his right hand before he would 40 a
mean act" Judge Jones repeated the
charge he made at Bishopville, that
the governor, in his appeals to the
state and federal supreme courts IN
Hunters case, tried to "bamboozle"
the courts into believing a true Dill
had never been found. In Laurens
county against Hunter. Judge Jones
displayed again a certifled copy Oh
fine official record, showing that a true
bill had been found. Judge Jones de-
MED that the supreme court reversed
itself in the Hunter case by rejecting
the doctrine laid down in the Lazarus
case.