Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-08-09

chairman of the ways and mean.
committee Of the house and was later
elected its speaker, These were stir
ring times. for the great reform move.
ment had just swept over South Car.
olina and party spirit ran high. Sen.
ator Tillman, then governor, was in
stituting many needed reforms ant
Judge Jones, as speaker of the house
did efficient service. Be 1t said to his
credit, however, that although the
whole state was aroused by political
animosity. Judge Jones so conducted
himself as to receive the hearty ap-
plause of friends and at the same
time, by his fairness. he won the re-
spect and confidence Of those who
had been his political opponents.
As Judge.
1t came. therefore, as a natural re-
ward for service, that in 1896 he was
elected associate justice or the highest
court in the state.
1t may be mentioned in passing that
his present opponent in the race for
governor secured his nomination and
voted for him for associate justice.
Having served twelve years as associ-
ate justice, in 1909, upon the retire
ment of Chief Justice Pope, Judge
Jones was elevated to the position of
chief justice, which is the highest
judicial position in the gift Of the
state.
1t may be truthfully said that no
Judge in South Carolina in many years
has enjoyed a greater reputation both
for ability and honesty than Ira B.
Jones. The same industry and con-
scientious performance Of duty which
was noticeable in him as a young
man, have characterized his work as
a judge.
He has been the recipient Of honors
from his fellowmen and the emolu-
ments Of office, but the satisfaction Of
hard days work we'll done has ever
been his best reward.
Among the charges hurled at Judge
Jones by his political opponents Is
that he has leaned toward corpora
tions. Suffice it to say that as attorney
he never represented a corporation
and as judge he repeatedly upheld
large verdicts against the corpora
tions. In the case of Rhodes against
the CRANKY Cotton Mills, Of Columbia,
he upheld a verdict for $4,000 In
there was evidence that he had been
unjustly discharged and blacklisted
by the cotton mills. The verdicts
which he sustained against the rail-
roads would run up into the hum
dreds of thousands Of dollars. there
being one verdict against the South
ern Railway company for $4,000 and
many others for large amounts.
He has never leaned toward or
against corporations, but his decisions
and rulings have been what those OF
every Judge should be-just and fair
to all.
Charges Unjust.
AS citizen, lawyer, legislator, judge
and chief justice, Ira B. Jones has
made good" He has lived an up
right moral life; is conscientious
member Of the Associate Reformed
church. is temperate in
his habits and has measured up to all
the requirements of a true and use
full man. It should be remembered
that this man who Is now before the
people in the race for governor has
never in his life been charged with
unbecoming the highest and
best citizen until his opponent brought
charges against him. The absurdity
of these charges can best be shown
by the fact that Cole L. Blease him
self voted for Judge Jones for United
States senator in 1909 with such men
as Frank B. Gary, LeGrand Walker,
J. L. Coker and other high men.
To try to make South Carolinians be-
lieve that this man who has been
their highest judge believes in social
between the races. Is so evil
IDENTIFY a trick to catch votes as to
need no exposure.
Ira B. Jones is no political expert
ment. and as a governor, he may be
on to give the people the
same honest, faithful and intelligent
service which has always character
lied his work in their behalf.