The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-28
TIE LAST CAMPAIGN MEETING
CROWD OF FIVE HUNDRED vOT-
ERS HEAR COUNTY CANDI-
DATES SATURDAY.
Representative n. ID. Belser Tells of
CONFLICT Of Legislature and Governor
Bscaro and Why He Has Entered
into K1ghs Against Governor; Peo-
Pc Interested.

AHoSo were tuiiy iNe nunureu voters
: In the court house Saturday morning
when the county candidates COM
rnenced their last speeches of the
tamuaign. All Of them were given
close attention. although there was
not much applause az there was Fri
day night. nor did the crowd seem
to be as enthusiastic. although there
. was no doubt about their interest. as
was the crowd Friday night.
The meeting was called to order by
County Chairman Clifton. who intro
duced the speakers. The candidates
for sheriff came first and were fol-
lowed by the candidates for Clerk
Of Court. all Of whom made practical
ly the same speeches as were made
Friday night. The candidates for
coroner also did not depart from their
set speeches. When the speaking of
the candidates for the house Of repre-
sentatives commenced. dinner time
was drawing on and after the first
speaker. DIR. Dick. made his talk many
left to get dinner and were leaving at
all times during the speaking after
that.
DIR. Dick made practically the same
talk rs he has made previously at
the campaign meetings. branding as
- damnable liar" any man who sat-
Cd. - rumor had accredited him with
making that he would not have the
support of a Blease voter. He said ne
had many friends who would vote for
Bleass and also for him.
DIR. F. NJ. Dwight stood for Jones.
pure government and honest men.
He made about the same talk as for
meriy. eniarging upon misconstruc-
tions which had been laid upon mis-
rsmarks at shiloh.
Mr.. r.. ID. Epps wanted to correct
G1at1msnt which he had been told he
Gdd maoe rrfdzy night. fzss satd that
II aid matter who was elected gov
ernor and mattered very much for
tho good OF the state. but he wanted
TO impress upon the people the i'm
portance of electing good men to the
legislature. which was what he was
laying stress upon when he had made
the statement that II did not so much
matter who was elected governor. He
would serve In fairminded. nop-par-
tisan way IL elected and his influence
could not be bought or sold.
Mr. J. X. McElveen wanted moce
schools and colleges. II possible he
wanted 10 have a college In every
county. Otherwise his remarks were
the same as at previous meetings.
Mr.. w. p. Smith also made abodt
the same remarks as at previous
meetings.
Mr.. X. II Belser brought In his
work in the legislature. showing his
work for the fertilizer inspection bill.
and his efforts to get bill for tie
investigation and keeping out Of the
State wild cat schemes. He had also
introduced a bill for the filing Of
mortgages. so that they could be
easily kept trace of. He had secured
a Communication road tax for this
county which brought In several
thousand dollars annually TO be used
In the upbuilding OF roads in the
county. The road bond issue and
the rural police bill were also men
toned. He had worked for a bill 20
tax standing timber. such as that own
ed by big corporations. but had been
unsuccessful in having 1t passed so
far. but that II would be pushed
through time the legislature recon
vened. II he was reelected. His
work on the warehouse bill and for
natural resources OF the state vas
also mentioned.
lie then went into the conflict of
Governor with the legislature. When
his time was up the crowd which was
small at this time seemed anxious to
hear him through and wanted him to
go on To the end. Governor Blease's
inaugural message. ne said. was more
I'm the nature OF campaign political
document than an official statement
OF the governor i'm behalf Of the up
building OF his state and in IL the
governor promised To do dire things
20 his enemies. His first message
revOlSing the commissions of 5000
notarlcs. which had To be changed
thc next day. I'm order that the bust
ness I'm the state might not bc brous mt