The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-07-30
BIG AUDIENCE HEARD
CANDIDATES In AIKEN
GREAT BLEASE DEMONSTRATION
ONE OF FEATURES.
Jones Led in Flowers Received, But
Governor Had the CrOWd-G00d
Order Was Enforced.

Aiken, July Z6.-Ine uu1uAliSo'eo
State campaign, after six weeks OF
wordiness, halted for a brief breath
ing spell in Aiken to-day at the con-
Mclusion of meeting replete with in
SRerestins situations, but devoid of ex-
citing incidents, not existing and not
sensational, because it has become not
only common but almost habitual for
opposing candidates to hurl the lie in
to each others teeth and to apply op-
probrious epithets, the use of which
at one time always meant personal
encounter. Aiken to-day furnished an
audience second in size to Orangeburg
only, there being fully 1000 in the
crowd at it's maximum. There were,
it is true, about that many at Saluda,
but at least third of that audience
were. ladies. While many Of Aiken's
attractive daughters graced to-day's
assemblage, the proportion was by
no means so large. Notwithstanding
some few Interruptions for both Gov
ernor Blease and Judge Jones, good
order prevailed Indeed, Mayor Gyles
at the opening stated that order would
be maintained, for there were enough
b1uecoats on hand to do the job. In
addition, the chairman told the root
ers if they did not hush they would
be made to hush. They hushed.
Features of Meeting.
Features to-day were the great
Blease demonstration at the conclu-
sion of the, Governors speech; the
chacse that Judge Jones attempted to
falsify the records of the Supreme
Court in his explanation of the Oxner
case from Newberry; the refusal of
the Governor to answer a direct ques-
ton put to him by man in the aud
ience, except with abuse; the charge
by Judge Jones, who arose and ad-
vanced toward Governor Blease, that
his opponent was uttering "the foul
est lie that ever passed human lips"
the hiss that greeted the goveronr's
denunciation of the Columbia State;
the bitter denunciation of Mr. Barnard
B. Evans by Attorney General Lyon
and the magnificent array of flowers
and other tokens presented Judge
Jones and Governor Blease. In this
latter, however, Judge Jones carried
off honors, receiving the prettiest
flowers, the finest watermelon and
the incest" box of homemade cara
mels that have been seen in the cam
paign.
4 Blease Crowd.
Governor Blease, as usual now, took
his hand primary. But not as usual,
he today took two, one before and one
after his speech, Both of them reveal
ed almost two-thirds of the crowd
present as supporters of the present
governor. 1t was noticeable that there
was little or no difference in the two;
the governors friends as usual were
grouped close about the stand. AS
stated above, possibly two-thirds OF
the audience were avowed Blease men.
Again today, however, the charge is
made by Aiken citizens that there
were hundreds of visitors here. 1t is
stated that there were scores of auto
mobiles from Edgefeld and Barnwell,
and many residents of the surround
ing counties here, and it is known
that large contingent from Augusta
was in the city. And so it goes, and
still the question is: was it a represen-
tative county audience? Of course, all
were aware of the fact that Horse
Creek Valley was amply represented.
Meeting at Geddings Park.
The meeting was held today in Ged-
diDgs Park, a beautiful spot. The heat
was not so oppressive as for the past
two days, although of course there
were no overcoats or furs in evidence.
Further, the chairman had kindly
consideration to sufficient degree to
see that the entire audience did not
perch itself on the speakers stand.
It has been really marvellous, to note
how many prominent citizens" in the
various counties were entitled to and
are given seats on the stands. Messrs.
J. B. Salley and George w. Croft took
turns at presiding, the county chair
man. Mr.. u. H. Wise, not being pres