The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-08-16
LAURENS GIVES BLEASE
A Big DEMONSTRATION
CROWD WON'T PERMIT JUDGE TO
ANSWER GOVERNOR.
Peoples and Earle in Reply to Question
Declare for Governor Blease.
5000 Present.

for attorney general, Messrs. Peoples
and Earle, today publicly declared
themselves supporters of Governor
Blease for reelection, according to
the interpretations put On their state
ments by the large Blease audience at
the State campaign meeting here. This
was one interesting development in
the political situation.
Another feature of today's meeting
was this declaration made by Governor
Blease: 81. don't need Tillman's en-
dorsement. 1 have proven in the last
nineteen months Pm as well qualified
to be governor as Tillman or anybody
else."
The gathering today was overwhelm-
lingly and typically Blease, as was to
be expected, and the governor was in
spired by the presence of so great a
number of his supporters and their
frequent outbursts of wild enthusiasm.
The hotter the governors words,
the louder was the yelling,
many of his friends becoming frantic
with delight at Governor Blease's de-
nunciatory Differences to Judge Jones
and others whom he classed among his
political enemies.
Jones Often Interrupted.
Judge Jones was accorded only q
fairly respectful hearing. While he
managed to make his speech, a number
of men in the crowd persisted in an
noying him with such remarks as:
eve don't want to hear YOU" "Sit
down." Take him out" and so forth.
There were also frequent hurrahs for
Blease. while Judge Jones was speak
ing.
The climax came when Judge Jones
endeavored to make a categorical re-
DIV to Governor Blease, at the conclu-
sion of the latter's speech. This the
crowd would not permit, despite
the chairman's efforts to obtain order.
Judge Jones arose, prepared to make
his reply, but gave up the attempt in
view of the determined bowling of the
Bleaseites.
Despite the presence of Sheriff John
D. Owings, Chief of Police W. S. Bag
we'll and a number of special police
men scattered through the crowd, only
semblance of order was preserved
during the greater part of Judge
Jones's speech.
This is the home county of Col. j.
H. Wharton, candidate for railroad
commissioner, and the colonel receiv-
ed literally a warm reception, the in
tensity of which was greatly increased
by his rudely, if unintentionally, dis
turbing nest of yellow jackets, which
had made their home near the speak
er's stand. The colonel quickly
"ducked" into nearby friendly bush,
thereby ridding himself of his unwel-
come admirers. The experience merely
served to sharpen the colonel's wit and
enabled him to draw another laugh
when he referred to the incident in his
speech.
There were two "lost" children in
the crowd today, both girls, but the
exhibition of the tots on the stand was
the means of. prompt restoration to
their rightful owners.
Second Largest Audience.
The meeting was hetld in a grove on
East Main street, On the same spot
where occurred the exciting incident
in connection with the Lyon-Evans
race in 1910. County Chairman John
NJ Cannon, who presided, referred to
that affair in his preliminary remarks
today. Mr.. Cannon urged the audience
to give each speaker respectful hear
ing, calling attention to reports that
trouble was expected at the Laurens
meeting. The chairman repeated his
exhortation several times during the
speaking and while at times consider
able disorder prevailed, there was
nothing to indicate that it was mali
cious or prearranged.
About three thousand persons, in
cluding perhaps two hundred ladies,
heard the candidates today. This was
next to the largest crowd Of the pres
fccNTp-UED ON PACE s..