The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-21
mEET|Ne n GREENWOOD.
MiLDEN LANGUAGE THAN USUAL
EMPLOYED By CANDIDATES.
Even by Governor Blcase--Ladies
Present - Blease Read, Letters
from Tillman Denying He is Fight.
ing Governor


dates Tor state offices speak here to-
day. The meeting was devoid of any
occurrence that could be pointed to
as an outstanding feature. The vote
seekers had practically nothing new
TO say. The crowd at times was noisy.
but on the whole good order was
maintained. A group of Blease sup
porters near the stand seemed dis
posed to give Judge Jones some trou-
ole, but were finally silenced by the
expressed determination of Mayor
Kenneth Baker to have the disturb
ers removed and obtain quiet 'if il
takes every man In town to do it,"
In opening che meeting Mayor Ba-
ker urged the audience to listen re-
spectfully to the speakers and also
requested the candidates to eliminate
personalities and mud-slinging. AS a
result the speeches made by those
who have been supplying the fire.
works were considerably more tenn
perate and 'falsifier" was a much
more popular epithet than liar" even
with the Governor. Another deter
rent. perhaps. was the presence Of
more than two hundred ladies. while
a goodly number Of special policemen
aided In holding the exuberances of
the crowd In check. After Mayor Ba-
ker's exhortation. County Chairman
James Rogers. of Ninety-Six, took
Charge of the meeting. which was
held In the Court House yard. Show
ers that came while the Gubernato-
rial candidates were speaking inter-
fered, somewhat with the proceedings.
causing Judge Jones to suspend for a
while and Governor Blease to cut
short his remarks by about fifteen
minutes. In view OF the excessive
heat Of the past few days and the
prospect Of relief. nobody protested
when the rain came.
judge Jones had at least one sup
porter In the crowd who was deter
mined that his favorite should have
fair play He was Mr.. Joel Woods, a
confederate Veteran. evidenced by
the cross OF honor suspended on his
breast. At one point In Judge Jones
speech. with the group Of Blease men
directly in front of him apparently
trying 10 howl down tine speaker. Mr.
Woods played a conspicuous part. lie
declared the object ol the Blease
rooters was o. prevent Judge Jones
speaking. saying. III they won't let
Jones speak We won't let Blease
speak" 1t was here that the inter-
vention of Mayor Baker was required
to restore order. and his admonition
was effective. 1t was stated that Mr..
Woods is an employee Of one of the
local cotton mills. and former
Blease supporter. and also that the
men to whom his remarks were ad-
dressed were mill operative
The crowd today appeared about
evenly divided between Jones and
Blease. despite the Governors usual
claim Of two-thirds for him. In view
OF the fact that the FIVE cotton mills
here closed down and many ot the
employees attended the meeting. the
supporters Of Judge Jones expressed
perfect satisfaction at the showing
made. 1t was also stated that a large
number came rom adjoining coun-
ties.
Governor Blease today read two
letters from Senator Tillman, evident
~ written to supporters of the Gov
ernor. but neither gave the Governor
the "eminently qualified" endorse
ment and contained nothing to indi-
cate the Senator's choice.
Messrs. Carter and McI.aurin pre-
sented their claims for state Treas
urer. as did Messrs Wharton, Rich
ards and Cansler. for railroad COM
missioner.
Attorney General Lyon recalled
that he was born near Greenwood
then a part OF Abbeville County. He
asked the voters To continue TO sup
port him. declaring the iawless ele-
ment was striving to bring about his
. defeat Messrs. PEBBLES and Earle
who yesterday placed themselves I'm
the Blease column. hardly varied
their talks. Mr.. Peoples was literally
applauded by supporters OF the Gov
ernor. Mr.. u. ~. Evans. using milder
language than has been his custom
repeated his charges against Mr.
Lyon. whose claim To- the possession
of legal ability he (EvansJ ridiculcd
Mr.. Evans WIS I'm his nntive CnnntN