The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-06-19
Consolidated Aug. 3, 1881,

oh loan. except last year. also in his
administration. More money had been
invested i'm South Carolina enterprises
during the past two years than ever
before in like period Of time. and
last year was the banner year in the
receipt of fees on corporation char
ters 10y the secretary of State. These
ftcts do not indicate that the state has
been ruined 10y Il Blease administra-
ton.
Gov. Blease then read his set speech,
which was as follows:
Mr. Chairman. Ladies and sntle-
men. Fellow Citizens Of South Car
DINA:
la obedience To the laws Of the
Democratic party OF South Carolina
] appear before you today as a candi-
date for recollection to the position of
Governor.
Four years ago. when | announced
as candidate for the office of Cover
mol, the newspapers raised great
howl against me and said many very
harsh things. They criticised me
very severely for opposing the then
Chief Executive. using as their
argument that it had always been
customary i'm this State to give
Governor two terms; that il was a
precedent which the people had set
and from which, for many many
years. they had not deviated. and
that il was very wrong i'm me. very
un-democratic, very impudent and in
principles and policies that the Gov
e-nor should he opposed for his
second term. Great changes have
been wrought; those same newspa-
pers, since l have held the Chief EN-
ecutive office. have done everything
within their power TO hamper me in
my administration and 10 injure the
State Government by striking me in
the most malicious manner; and. for
some months past, they have been
clamoring for candidates to oppose
me i'm my second race. If it was right,
four years ago, that the Governor
should have second term, and if it
was precedent then that no change
should he made. why is ii today
that those same newspapers should
Iight me so bitterly upon the second
term idea, and fight me so bitterly in
behalf OF those who are opposing
me for my second term Does it not
show conclusvely, to all fair minded
men. that 1t is not fight of justice
or principle with them. but that II
Is a fight Of prejudice and spite
against me, because the newspapers
and the corporations have not been
able to control me or dictate my
policies as Governor?
/ am not asking for Reelection be-
cause 1T is a precedent TO give a man
second term. This argument is
used only for the purpose of showing
To you the great change which has
been brought about and how they
clamored for another mans second
term. on account Of this precedent.
and abused me for opposing him.
Now. in so short q time. they are
cause against me for my second
term. Is 1t principle that they are
fighting for, or is II to control and
dictate the policies Of the Govern
ment? The position Is up to you,
fellow citizens. whether you shall
have Governor, unhampered, work
Ing in the interest of the people of
the state, which Is in accordance with
the Democratic principles. and which
have followed; or, whether you are
TO have Governor who Is brought
out by the newspapers and backed by
the corporations and mOneyed inter
ests. and who will he dictated To by
them? Look AT your recent state
Convention; your County Clubs, with
fXed-up states. forced down your
throats, without giving you the right
To nominate from the floors Of the
clubs the list of delegates: those
delegations went 70 their various
County Conventions. and again a
slate was fixed and certain delegations
were crammed down the throats Of
the people without their having n
voice or right To say who should
control or who should represent
them. What was the result? Who
absolutely dominated and controlled
your state Convention? ?-Lcwis w
Parker the head Of the big mill mcr-