The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1912-08-15
LIFE IRA B. JONES
EXPOSEDTO PUBLIC
From Boyhood Days, as Lawyel
Legislator, Associate Justice
and Chief Justice, His
Record is Given

It is right that the people O.
South Carolina should know tht
facts about the candidates il
the race for governor before the
9th of August, because no one
can vote properly who does mo-
vote intelligently. Therefore
to cast a vote intelligently. one
must know the records of the
candidates. This article is writ
ten with the purpose of letting
the people know more about Ira
B. Jones.
Few people know that Judge
is a MAN OF THE PEOPLE. He is
proud Of the fact that in New,
berry county he was born, and
that there are still people living
who remember that his father
was a highly respected carpen-
ter, and his mother assisted his
father in the support of the fam
lily by sewing for the neighbors.
AsStudent and Young Lawyer
Almost from childhood Ira B.
Jones looked at life seriously.
His schoolmates remember that
often in the afternoon when
they were at play he would 20
in early to study for his classes
Of the next day, and they testi-
fly to the fact that he gave early
promise of becoming an upright
honest and useful citizen.
By careful study and taking
advantage of such meagre op-
portunities as were offered, he
obtained a fair education. The
schools then were not what they
are now, which is probably the
reason why Judge Jones, re-
membering his own difficulties
and wishing to smooth the road
for other poor boys, declared
that as governor the improve
.ment and development of the
common schools shall have my
keen interest and hearty sup
port.
1t would be easy and perhaps
interesting to tell how young
Jones, having gotten an educa-
ton, moved to Lancaster coun-
ty and began the practice Of
law. How his clients came slow
ly at first, but soon gained con-
fidence in him, 50 that he had a
large and paying practice. We
are chiefly interested, however,
in his political career:
AS Legislator
In 1890 Ira B. Sones was elect
ed to the legislature from Lam
caster county, and it is evident
that he was widely known and
that his ability had been recog-
nized, for he was It once made
chairman of the ways and
means committee of the house
and was later elected speaker.
These were stirring times, for
the great reform movement had
just swept over South Carolina
and party spirit ran high. Sen
ator Tillman, then governor,
was instituting many needed re-
forms, and Judge Jones, speak
er of the house, was doing eff
cient service. Be it stated to his
credit, however, that though
the whole State was aroused by
political animosity, Judge Jones
so conducted himself as to re-
ceive the hearty applause of his
friends and at the same time, by
his fairness, he won the respect
and confidence of those who
had been his political opponents.
As Judge
It came, therefore, as natu--
raj reward for service that, in
1896 he was elected associate
justice of the highest court in
the State. It may be mentioned
in passing that his present oppo-
nent for in the race for govern
or seconded his nomination and
voted for him for associate jus
tice. Having served ~ years as
associate justice, in 1909. upon
the retirement of Justice Pope.
Judge Jones was elevated to the
position of chief justice, which
is the highest judicial position
in the gift of the State.
It may truthfully be said that
no Judge IN South Carolina in
many years has enjoyed greater
reputation both for. ability and
honesty than Ira B. Jones: The
same industry and conscientious