The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-04-13

noon today. where he goes to attend
the Convention OF the Red Men to-
day and tomorrow. Governor Blease
gave out an interview I'm which he
smphaticaliy declared In favor OF the
countyTto-county tour for state can
didates for Governor and every other
once: vigorously declared In favor OF
an rnreslricted primary and advocat-
Cd sending an uniastructed delegation
to the Democratic, National Conven-
tlon In Baltimore.
In the interview he also announced
that his friends were going to present
his name to the Convention as one of
the delegates at large, and endorsed
Gen Willie Jones and advocated re-
electing him State chairman The In
terview OF the Governor follows:
II have noticed she editorial In The
News and Courier this morning head
cd The Campaign Circus and. as
usual the editor Of the News and
Courier and myself do not concur in
our political views; for am most
sssuredly. as have always been. In
favor Of county-to-county canvass.
and Of the election OF all officers.
fron coroner up. including the Presi-
dent Of the United States, by a direct
vote OF the people.
~ am In favor Of urestricted pri-
maries-thst Is. Of allowing every
white man In the state OF South Car
oiins the privilege Of voting at the
primary. and when a majority speaks,
that the minority fall into line and
present a solid front against all com.
srA .i
would be very foolish to oppose a
eounty-to-county canvass. for II Is
we'll known that all Of the daily news
papers are opposed to me. and nearly
all Of the county papers. and they will
not publish my speeches or give my
reasons for any actions OF mine as
Governor. with the exception of The
News and Courier. which has, on some
occasions given my reasons for par.
oons' therefore, I would have abso-
iosely no opportunity TO get my views
b~forsr shs people or To defend my ad
DsinistsatloR n VI were not for the
county-to-eounty canvass. am i'm
favor OF the rsles and the constitu-
tion remaining just as they are and
requiring every candidate for State
omces to go to each county seat and
delivering his speech. and n any at
tempt Is made In the coming Conven.
ton to restrict the primary. or tn do
away with the courty-to-county can
vsas. my friends and myself win he
found In the forefront fighting for the
present system.
so far as the delegates to the Na
tfonal Convention are concerned. 4
have noticed II stated I'm some II the
papers that was In favor Of sending
an instructed delegation ror Harmon.
Twice In my life have been offered
She position as delegate to the Ma
tional Convention from the third Con-
sressional district. and each time I de-
clined to acreptit. because am abso-
iutely and unqunlhediy opposed to
sending an instructed delegation any
where. If I'VE are going to send men
To Baltir'orc md instruct them 10 vote
fpr any particular candidate. we
might ms we'll save the expense and
iust write out our votes and mail
them 90 the chairman Of the Conven-
ion ard tell him. when South Caro-
INA Is called; to open the envelope
md announce our vote. I am In ia
vor OF sending a delegation of good.
strong. sober. representative men and
ct them. when they get TO Baltimore,
lOok over the entire situation from
Sveyy viewpoint and exercise their
p~n Judgment In voting for that man
,Ur the nominee of the Democratic
party who ls best equipped and most
acceptable To the Democrats of the
entire country. I'm order that we may
an sohdify. have no dissen nsion and no
splits Dnd win Democratic victory.
Personally I am for Harmon. be-
cause ] believe that Mr.. Taft will be
dominated and I believe that Harmon
Is the only Democrat that can carry
New York and Ohio against Taft. and
without these two states. the Demo-
crats cannoc win. II believed that a
southern man could win. of course. I
would lee for Southcrner. first. last
and an the time: and. when the dele