The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-07-24
CANDIDATES N COLUMBIA.
LARGE CROWD HEAR SPEAK,
ERS.
Jones severely Arr,signs the Govern
or, Who Replied In vindictivc
Tone.

Sixteen hundred persons gathered
I'm the Columbia theatre yesterday TO
hear what reasons for election the sew
ersl candidates for State Offices had
predominated In the audience. Busi-
ness and professional men were
sparseiy represented. The mass of the
crowd was orderly. but disturbing
elements made their presence felt
early and the noise became unendur-
able To those who wished To hear.
when Ira Il. Jones. candidate for
governor. launched into severe ar
raignment OF the Blease administra-
ton. supporters OF Blease evinced
30 unmistakable a determination to
was unable to proceed until the gov
srnor himself called on his followers
TO be silent. Thereafter Judge Jones
had a reasonably respectful hearing.
The noise broke forth anew from
Blease hackers when Gov. Blease be-
gan his address. and there were oc-
casional Kisses from citizens who dis
approved of the governors utter
ances.
disappointment was generally ex-
pressed In the audience over the
failure OF the governor to read an
expected statement In refutation of
charges brought against him by inn
piication at the Burns-Felder hearing
In Augusta.
There were two Interruptions In
the course ot Judge Jones speech.
aside from the periodical oatbursts of
catcslling. hootins. kissing and cheer
ing for Blease. Geo. X. Ren.bert Of
the Columbia bar. who had been floor
leader of the Blease forces In the
house Of representatives during the
past two sessions Of the general as
sembly. advanced TO the front Of the
stage. from his seat at the rear. on
hearing his name mentioned by Judge
Jones. and asked that the statement
about him lie repeated. Judge Jones
read:
"He (Blease) pardoned Glenn, who
killed Rhoden In Batesburg. Glenn
says he paid Mr.. Rembert $500. Rem
bert Is Blease's floor leader In the
house. Did that $500 pay Mr.. REM
bert to explain how Glenn was in
nocent. OF did II pay for Mr.. Rem
berts influence on Gov. Blease to
liberate a criminal?"
Any who says Glenn gave
rae $500" said Mr.. Rembert, lis a
lar"
Il have not said So" rejoined Judge
Jones. Glenn said so. and upon de-
mand I will produce proof that he
said it."
Mr., Rembert said no more. but re-
tired TO his seat.
'Blease voted not to investigate the
dispensary. (senate journal 1907.
pages ss and ss.)
He voted not to cake up and con-
slider the bill supplying money to
prosecute the gratfers
Then he voted To kill the bill sup
plying money to prosecute the
xrafters. (senate journal 1908. page
B73.J
He voted against a bill to help the
State In the federal court In her des-
perate fight with the grafters (Sen-
ate journal 1908. page 253.) The
state finally won and recovered back
many thousands of dollars stolen by
The grafters. IL the other legislators
had voted with Blease. would the
State ever gotten their money? The
echo answer when. and how?
Finally. when he became COVER
nor. he asked for a committee to in
yestigate the ANGEL hoard. The legis-
iature passed the bill but gave the
committee power TO investigate
charges against any one. That was
just what Blease did not want so he
vetoed the bill. The legislature pass
ed Il over his head: and that II Is the
same committee that has been
hearing charges In Charleston about
blind tigers paying $4,000 a month to
the chief constable OF the governor,
and the governor still stands by the
chief constable. DO you wonder that
ne vetoed the bill? only one CRATER
John Black. has been convicted. and
BIease pardoned him before he ever
got In sight of the peniten,iary. OH.
yes. he stands by his friends-hasn't
ne stood by the grdtfers?