The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-06-26

OF Judge Jones To the terrific on
slaught Of yesterday made upon him
by Gov. Blease. was the feature Of
the state campaign meeting at Dar-
lington today
The ringing speech of the Govern
or. In the face of known opposition.
which he recognized and com bated i'm
fine style. was scarcely less striking.
In fact. the joint debate was politi-
cal battle of no mean significance. 1t
was noticeable that Judge Jones not
only defended his own record. which
Was so vigorously attacked yesterday
at Bishopville by the Governor. but
he carried the fight into Blease's
camp and brought To the attention of
the people some of his acts not
1 known generally.
The upshot of the whole matter is
that there Is now waging terrific
battle between two contestants. the
point of vantage most sought being
the attacking side. each see ekiug to
, To those who heard the speeches
yesterday and today II was apparent
that Bleases attack acted as a
mighty spur To Judge Jones, aroused
his fighting blood and was the cause
OF his delivering an unusually vigor-
Gus speech. ON the other hand. Gov
ernor Blease won the plaudits OF even
some OF his enemies by the masterrul
presentation of his cause today. He
himself stated that he was some
what surprised at the hearing he
received.
Taking up I'm detail the charges
preferred against him. Judge Jones
answered them In clear cut style and
with effective argument. Not mere
~ this: he then turned some Of the
Governors own arraignment back
against his accuser. particularly In
reference to free railroad passes.
These were old legislative battles
OF the early 's0s brought again into
vew by Governor Blease I'm his
Bishopville speech.
A matter OF no small significance.
and one that appeared to impress the
audience. was move made by At
torney General Lyon in the fullflment
OF his promise To expose the record of
Evans.
Today Mr. Evans declared that he
was not even I'm the United States
, when the Rees and Allen cases. in
which II was charged that he had OBJ
tained money on notes signed by
these men. and the making of which
notes the signers disclaimed author
ship. were in court and that he had
no knowledge of them. Mr.. Lyon
produced the complaints in the case
which contained certificates that
subpoenas had been personally served
upon Mr.. Evans i'm both these cases
by w. G. Catchart. of Columbia.
There were 1 900 or possibly LOO
persons In the opera house while
Messrs. Bleasc and Jones were speak
ing: there were nearly fifty while
John T. Duncan spoke. Many were
here from Dillon. Florence and Lee.
particularly. Some of the visitors.
according To statements of local men.
made a good deal of noise. So great
was the crowd that the meeting vas
adjourned from the court house To-
the opera house.
Messrs. Wharton and Richards
were given close attention the latter
being received upon his appearance
with generous applause. Mr.. Rich
ards won the glad hand when ne
challenged Col. Wharton To- show
that he had done as much in the six
years he was commissioner as ne
(Richards) had accomplished in
twelve months.
Judge Ira u. Jones. upon being
introduced. received almost an ova-
ton To this he responded fclicitous-
~. Almost at once the speaker en-
tered into discussion Of the bishop
Vile meeting and the charges made
hy Governor Elease. lie accused the
Governor of assisting in denying him
the right Of denial yesterday. Admit
4 ting that his record as public ofli-
Ger was proper subject for attack.
ne stated that he proposed now to de-
fend himself
II suppose out of all the cases /
decided when ~ Judge" said the
speaker. there would hc some which
somebody would not like. one IL