The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1912-08-07
Candidates Speak To
BrOOkland Voters.
(By D. r, HaltiWanqer.)

ton county campaign was held In the
beautiful and growing town OF Brook
land, on the banks Of the Congaree, on
last Saturday. When the meeting
was called to order at II O'Clock there
was less than one hundred persons
present, but the crowd gradually
swelled until it reached eight hundred
in the afternoon. Many handsome
women, for which this little town 1s
far famed, grsced the occasion with
their presence, and the best Of order
prevailed. Here, as perhaps at no
other point in the county, the lines
are tightly drawn between the biease
and anti -Blease forces; and 1t was eVl-
dent from the opening Of the meeting
that the interest in the governors race
overshadowed county politics. While
the Blease forces are largely in tho
lead at Brookland, it cannot be said
that the people are so prejudiced that
they d. not accord to every man the
right OF free speech, and each OF the
candidates was given the closest atten-
ton.
The meeting was held in the heauti-
ful park, the candidates speaking from
the veranda of the Assembly hall, one
of the most magnificent buildings in
the county.
MIR. G. A. Guignard presided with
fairness and ability, holding each
speaker down to his allotted time.
The candidates for the house spoke
first, the Hon. Isaac Edwards leading
off. All of the candidates stand upon
practically the same platforms. They
all favor an economical administra-
ton and the curtaiIment of taxes; IA
yor cutting down appropriations to
State institutions and giving more
money to the free public schools; ia
vor better roads and more roads. Col.
John Bell Towill fsvors making every
rural mail route public highway and
that the same be kept up by the gov
ernment. Mr.. Edwards advances the
idea that the equalization laws should
be changed; that commission should
be appoin led to assess all lands equal
ly, the rich and poor alike.
The members of the old delegation
use most of their time defending their
r. cords. Col. J. Brooks Wingard
made strong and eloquent speech in
defense Of the old delegation, explain
ing IN detail the various tax leyies,
and showed by the record that the
people themselves were responsible, in
large measure, for the increase. He
pointed out that the PEOPLE had voted
to tax themselves to help free the Con-
earee and Broad river bridges, and
these debts had to be paid. He point
ed cut slso that the cost of living is
higher now, and it necessarily requires
more money to run the county govern
ment. -.
All of the candidates for the house
spoke, except Mr.. E. L. Lybrand, who
said that Brookland was his home
town and that he would give his time
to the other speakers.
The three aspirauts for the State
senate made good speeches. DR.. Eth
eredge spoke first, Mr.. Sharpe second
and DR.. Crosson last. Dr.. Etheredge
said he was running on no mans coat
tail, but on his own merits as man.
ALI three of the candidates for the
senate favor lower expenditures, econ
ony being their battle cry. Mr..
Sharpe told number OF anecdotes
and kept the crowd in good humor.
He told of his efforts to secure the
free bridge over the Congaree, claim
ing shat he and the Hon. Q. NJ. Etird
were responsible for the freeing of the
bridge and not the present senator.
Both DR.. Etheredge and Mr.. Sharpe
declared for Governor Biease.
DR.. Crosson made his best speech at
He vigorously defended
his record in the senate, and pointed
out that it took money to run pro-
gressive government like ours. He
said that thirteen years ago he agitat-
ed the freeing of the Congaree bridge,
lorg before Mr.. Sharpe took up the
fight.
Messrs. Wessinger aid Buff, candi-
dates for clerk, spoke. Clerk Shealy
and Mr. George did not speak.
Messrs. Kleckley, Martin and Har-
mans, for superintendent of education,
made good speeches: Mr.. Lindler did
not 2 on the stand.