The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1912-07-24
State Campaign Largely
Attended.

two thousand people to Lexington yes
terday, it being the largest attended
campaign meeting in this county since
1890, if not the largest in the history
of the county.
The meeting was held on the court
house square, the candidates speaking
from q rostrum. Inc weather was un-
usually hot, which added no doubt to
the warmness of the crowd, who
cheered their fayorites to the echo.
The main feature of the meeting
was the speeches OF Jones and Blease,
candidates for Governor, and from the
nature of the applause given each
speaker at times 1t was difficult to
decide which was she favorite candl-
date, but both had their friends.
Neither. Gotelnor Blease nor Judge
Jones were at their best, due it is said,
to the extremely hot weather and the
arduonsness of the campaign during
the last few days.
The meeting was called to order at
Il O'Clock by County Chairman: D.
Frank Efrd, who presided and intro
luced the speakers.
The candidates for State Treasurer,
s. T. Carter and D. w. McLaurin,
were the first to address the audience,
Mr.. Carter leading off.
For Railroad Commissioner J. II.
Wharton, James Cansler and John G..
Richards, Jr., each presented their
claims in telling manner, and all
were applauded.
Attorney General j. Fraser Lyon,
who is asking reelection, made a
strong appeal to the audience, reciting
his record in the Office. Mr.. Lyon was
literally appaauded.
Thos. II. Peoples, of Barnwell, also
a candidate for Attorney General,
made manly appeal, pitching his
speech on a high plane, and he was
well received.
Senator J. R. Earle. followed Mr..
Peoples. He made good speech and
was applauded at the close.
Barnard B. Evans was the last of
the candidates for attorney general to
speak. He severely arraigned the ad-
ministration of Attorney General Ly-
on, charging that he had squandered
the peoples money-in attorneys fees
and other wsvs. There were hurrahs
for Evans aud hu-rahs for Lyon.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Evans,s
speech Attorney General Lyon made
vigorous denial of the charges made
by Evans, and was roundly applaud
ed.
The candidates for governor spoke
last, Judge Jones being the first speak
-er. He was greeted with loud and
continuous applause. He caught the
attention OF the audience by relating
a number of anecdotes. Judge Jones
stated that there were many things ne
would like to discuss, among them be-
ing education, the Torzens system,
the holding Of cotton and other i'm
portant matters; out time would not
permit. He declared himself to be in
favor of the common schools of the
State. He then launched into a yigo'
rous attack of the official acts of the
governor. assailing in strong terms
his pardon record, the governors usur'
patton of power in the matter of ap'
pointing special judges. Judge Jones
was several times interrupted by cries
Of hurrahs for Blease mingled with
hurrahs tor Jones. He was cheered
loud and long when he concluded, and
was presented with number OF hand
some bouquets.
Governor Bleases's appearance on
the platform callediorth a volume OF
applause. He defended his pardon
record, referring to the PARDON OF