The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-07-27

I'll just hold him TO keep him from
hurting himself Why, | could take
him around here and tie his hands
behind his back and spank him like
his mother used to do
mo Jonesy." said the Governor.
you can't catch this fox in your
trap"
The Fairfield crowd numbered not
more than 500 at the highest. County
Chairman ]. f. Mcdonald stated that
order must he maintained and this
admonition was substantially carried
| out. except at the outset of Judge
Jones speech, when a few attempts
were made To make his way more
difficult. However. Chairman Nc
Donald squelched that with word
that was loudly applauded:
IF order is not maintained ana
each speaker is not heard, there won't
be any more speaking here today"
and Judge Jones was allowed to pro-
ceed with the fewest kind of inter-
ruptions
| In fact. the audience today was un-
usually orderly For the most part it
was q Fairfield audience, although
there were some here from Chester.
Governor Blease stated in his speech
that there were many here who also
attended the Chester meeting, calling
some by name, and declaring that
they could testify as to the sentiment
of the Chester crowd.
Both Judge Jones and Governor
1 Blease fell short of their standard
speeches. although the latter injected
more than usual Of that jaunty con-
fident, don't-give-a-razzle-d dazzle bum
ltone.
The heat was terrific, the meeting
being held in the Court House yard
enclosed on three sides by buildings
There was no overplus energy any
where today.
Judge Jones repeated his state
ments in reference to the charges
lagainst Constable Stothart, and said
in reference to the legislative COM
mittee that ne had absolutely moth
ing u do with it.
But the men who compose that
icommittee." said Judge Jones, "are
among the best men in South Caro-
lima; they are no guttersnipes. and
the man who assails them is attack
Ing some Of the best, most honorable.
high-toned men in the State; men TO
whom / would entrust my life, my
honor and my property. l do not
take any stock In this villifcation or
blackguardism."
II have not identified Governor
Blease with any graft" replied Judge
Jones. "but if the fact comes out /
will do 1t. have said that i hoped
for the good name Of South Carolina
that they will find that Governor
Blease is not guilty Of accepting graft
and that no stain will be placed upon
his name."
Judge Jones again emphasized the
statement that he had nothing TO
do with the work of the investigating
committee, and that he had never
made reference to the Augusta hear
Ing. His references to Stothart. he
said. were based on the facts brought
out In the Charleston investigation.
Repeating his charge that the prin-
Iciples Of Bleaseism lead to anarchy.
Judge Jones was interrupted by loud
cheers for Blease.
That's the pity of it," said ne;
when you talk of the principles that
would overthrow your government.
that would destroy law. there are
men to applaud it. But / want 10
say To these turbulent Bleaseites that
they may howl their heads off. but
they will not deter me from making
this fight for good government"
IL was at this point that Chairman
lMcDonald warned the crowd against
Idisorder.
AS to pardons. Judge Jones said:
Governor Blease has no right TO
throw of the responsibility Of his Of
nee upon those who sign petitions. II
am Governor l won't stop to inquire
about lengthy petitions or big law
lyers' ices. Any kind of petition will
he sufficient reason for my investiga-
ting the case"
| nat has Governor Blease done
Tor 'he poor man." asked Judge
Jones.
4 re turned EN- out of the Peni-
ltentiary." WAS the READY r.,lv r,