The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-07-09
MAYOR MAKES WARN REPLY.
Grace Gives Out Statement Answer
ing Blease's Attack.

News and Courier.
"Of course it was anticipated by me
that Governor Blease would be COM
PEELED at the Charleston meeting to
take notice of and, if he could, an
swer the charges which l have so
publicly made against him." said
Mayor Grace last night, in a state
ment replying to the attack made upon
him by the governor in his speech at
the State campaign meeting held Fri
day evening at the Hibernian Hall.
The Mayors Statement.
"Of course it was anticipated by
me that Governor Blease would be
compelled at the Charleston meeting
to take notice of, and, if he could,
answer the charges which 1 have so
publicly made against him. There
was no escape from this necessity.
The only matter over which l had any
doubts was whether or not 1 should
attend the meeting, and with my own
ears hear what he had to say. My
friends practically unanimously ad-
vised me against it. As it happened,
was on the Isle of Palms at the State
Bankers convention, and had l cared
to lend plausibility to my absence l
could readily have evaded it. But I
determined, that come what might, it
was my duty to go to the meeting.
AS a Democrat, I have never missed
any of these meetings, and the only
thing that could have kept me away
would have been, whatever others
might have thought of it, cowardice
on my part.
Having made W my mind, there
fore, to go the next thing which both
cred me was what attitude I should
assume toward Governor Blease, how
soever personal and bitter he might
become. AS l had deliberately gone
to the meeting I was equally as de-
liberate about what my course should
be. remembered that u was mayor
of Charleston; that the hall was pack
ed with men who, at the slightest
threat of personal injury, would
spring to my side through devotion
that is unexcelled anywhere. The po-
lice force, while composed largely of
men loyal to me, 1 would have myself
required to do its duty, and under the
orders of the chairman l, and even my
most devoted friends, might have been
summarily removed from the hall, to
which extremity l would have bowed
in obedience to law. With these mere
outlines of a riotous situation flooding
my mind there was but one view for
me to take-to swallow anything. /
did it with complacency, and ] think
the public, from what 1 hear, approves
of my course.
The Beer incident.
Moreover, what did it matter what
Blease said?. Did he not in the very
speech in which he so violently by in
direction, denounced me, also give ut
terance to the rankest indecencies and
anarchy? Think of a governor reply
ing as to how he stood on the beer
question by shouting that if his ques-
toner Tin violation of the law would
bring him up to the stage a drink OF
beer he would be better able to an
swer the question. Of course, it was
grilling for me to have to sit and lis
ten to Blease's lies. The idea of his
making it appear that the beginning
of our troubles was when he refused
to appoint a negro notary public,
whose appointment, by the WayS nad
asked only as a favor to gentlemen In
Charleston who were not then, nor
have ever been, my political friends.
Are Messrs Nathans and Sinkler also
negro lovers? And do they believe in
social equality? Certainly not. 1t is
almost sickening to nave to answer
such tommy-rot.
The Dispensary Consrables.
"There was but one causes and that
was Gas 1 said in a published article
recently Blease had broken his pub
lie promise and his private word. /
expected him to be governor of
South Carolina and when he was
elected was happy. Any intimation
by him that I wished to usurp those
functions is more than absurd Tn the