The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-06-21
A Great Crowd.

II MS assistance "eie Hoooou anu ie
quested.
A Great Crowd.
Possibly LOO people gathered to
hear the candidates today. So great
was the crowd that the court house
could not be used and County Chair
man John H. Clifton changed plans
and held the meeting in the court
house yards. The people were in a
good humor; they were expectant. and
they were genuinely interested. If
the Sumter crowd be a fair indication,
the people of South Carolina are
aroused over the political situation to
degree unknown in the past twenty
years.
Very good order prevailed except in
a few instances, while Judge Jones
was speaking and even in these there
were merely few hurrahs for Blease.
Governor Blease was not interrupted.
In the city today were noted Judge
Jones's campaign manager, ]. William
Thurmond and Mr.. Charles D. Jones,
of Lancaster, a son of Judge Jones;
also Detective C. w. Creighton, OF
Greenwood, appointed to that Office by
Governor Blease; w. P. Beard, editor
OF the News-Scimitar, of Greenwood,
and Chief Kibler, of the Richland Con-
stabulary. There were farmers from
bordering counties; the stores and
places of business were closed from II
o'clock until 2.30, and altogether the
campaign meeting was regarded as an
important event here.
At a meeting of the candidates Lieut..
Governor Charles A. Smith was elected
chairman and Mr.. Sam T. Garter, Sec
retary. Rotation in the order of the
speakers was decided upon.
According to the schedule Of ar
rangements as perfected by the cam
paign party, the candidates for COVER
nor were first to speak today, coming
in alphabetical order, each being al
lowed As minutes for his speech.
Governor Cole L. Blease was there
fore the first speaker and when he
arose there were cordial greetings
from the audience. He was given clos
est attention and there was no absence
of Blease sentiment among his hear
ers.
Governor Blease's first statement
was in reference to the financial con-
dition of the State, declaring, despite
the fact that it had been heralded all
over the State that his election would
mean financial ruin, last year had been
the banner year in revenues for the
State. "Only yesterday" said the gov
ernor, "I signed four notes of 100000
each, borrowed for the State at the
lowest rate of interest ever secured,
except during the previous year of my
administration"
While the governor was reading his
platform a local brass band passed
near the court house. 81 have a pret-
ty good voice." said Governor Blease,
"but l can't buck brass band" At
ter moment, sitting on the edge of
the speakers table, the governor said:
T suppose it is fixed up On me-" The
band happened to be advertising an
amateur minstrel show given tonight.
Upon being announced Governor
Blease was loudly applauded and fire.
ouently during his speech loud and
lusty cheers came up from the great
crowd. Making a few side comments
Governor Blease read his platform
which is published elsewhere.
John T. Duncan, of Columbia, a one
time attorney, candidate for governor,
also spoke, affording some amusement
to the crowd
A hearty cheer greeted Judge Jones,
who read a brief statement of the
measures which he purposed advocat-
ing if elected governor. Judge Jones
made it plain that he was not carrying
on a campaign of negation, not merely
an attack upon the administration of
Governor Blease. but for the purpose
of placing before the people matters
of progressive legislation, which, if
enacted, would mean progress and