Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-03-08
JUDGE JONES AT HAMPTON.
Candidate for Governor Fires His
First Gun.

SdUs
Hon. Ira B. Jones, candidate for gov
ernor, spoke at an educational rally at
Hampton last Wednesday. Judge
Jones and Governor Blease were both
among the invited speakers and they
were given to understand that they
could talk about whatever they liked.
Both accepted the invitation; but Gov
ernor Blease afterward decided that he
would net attend. Judge Jones's speech
is reported by Joe Sparks for the Co
lurapia State Of yesterday as follows:
"I came to Hampton" said Judge
Jones, prepared to talk education
or politics, and am prepared to dis
cuss them both" Judge Jones then
launched into the political phase of
his speech. He referred to the state
ment by the governor Of South Caro-
lima that IL Chief Justice Jones
should resign his office and run for
governor he would be a statesman
without a job"
THAT may be true" he said, for
l have no job.l The only job that
have Is to beat him for the governor
ship of South Carolina"
! He dropped the subject Of politics
abruptly and entered In vigorous style
into a clear-cut discussion Of the
benefits Of education. He said that
the greatest message II Is possible to
deliver to the people Of South Caro-
lima Is Educate your children"
1T Is the duty Of the parent to
educate the child" said Judge Jones'
80 that they may take their right
ton of the affairs of government
Under the rule Of Democracy we must
depend upon the intelligence OF our
lcitiZenship for God-gfven work Is
education.
True education rests upon the
home, the church, the school and
the court house." He said that the
great force Of civilization was the
court, but some people wanted to
drag down and despoil the powers OF
the court.
"Show me the man that is trying
to draw down and obstruct the power
of the court" said Judge Jones, "and
will show you an anarchist Mr..
Roosevelt wants the people to say
whether the law is constitutional or
not. Some people In South Carolina
believe the same, and think that
constitutional questions should be
submitted to or referred to the peo-
ple."
Following this he urged in strong
terms the upbuilding and the uphold
ing of the dignity and integrity OF
the courts Of the state, and said that
the law should be allowed to take Its
course in all cases.
| Reverting from education to pol
itics, Judge Jones said that the
power of pardon had been placed,
under the constitution, with the chief
executive of South Carolina. He Is
Required" said the speaker, faith
fully to execute the law"
did this man vote for me? Is
he my friend? Did he carry any
pardon ?"' asked the former chief Jus
tice. I'm granting q pardon should
not the chief executive remember the
tears Of the widow and orphans of
the victims?"
The meeting up to this point had
proceeded evenly and without inter-
ruption. Judge Jones was frequently
applauded during his talk on educa-
tion, and his mild references to the
political situation.
Some one in the rear Of the build
ing shouted: "Hurrah for Blease.
The former chief justice stopped for
tone, made answer: Hurrah for civil
izationi Hurrah for purity! Hurrah
| for law and order! Down with you
anarchists! South Carolina will not
bow down to anarchy as long as
true son is alive to fight her battles!"
This reply by Judge Jones was re-
ceived warmly and he was given an
ovation.
There was no further outbreak of
enthusiasm In the interest of the pres
ent governor.
Judge Jones said that he had served
for sixteen years on the supreme
court bench Of South Carolina as an
associate justice and as chief justice.
He referred to his relations with the
various chief executives Of South Car
olina during his public service. II
am here talking for my own people
as much as his" said the speaker, In
discussing the claim Of the governor
to leadership In the state. Il have
given the best years Of my life to the
service Of South Carolina. Six OF
those years were spent In the legis-
lature, as speaker Of the house of
Representatives a part Of the time.
Now, want to ask you, have ] not
a right to speak to the people?
"If the present order Of things
goes on the last one Of you will re-
gret 1t. You will hang your heads In
shame. I ask you to lift up your
standard and claim your rights"
Discussing the attitude Of Blease
in refusing to recognize a minority.
Judge Jones said:
"They tell me the minority has no
rights. That Is what the constitution
is for, to protect the minority; and It
Is a supreme duty Of every man to
obey the law.
"They call me an aristocrat," said
Judge Jones, "but am not; I am OF
the people" He said that his father
| had moved to Columbia from Colleton
county to learn the trade Of carpenter
and that while there met his mother
IA young woman who was learning the
dress making trade.
You will see, my friends, that /
come from the working class Of South
Carolina.
"They say that am not in sympa-
thy with the working people. Why
should I not be? 1 have been with
the working people all my life.
"I call myself Of the people and
for the people; sprung from the work.
ing people, and I stand ready to fight
for the rights Of all the people. I am
truly proud Of my parents. 1 am
working in the interest of the peo-
ple."
Referring to his resignation as chief
justice Of the supreme court Of South
Carolina, he said that he realized that
he Hdu lcll tHC OlllSC Va thC o. NoeOeN
dignity and power in the state. He
described the working Of the court,
and showed, by comparison, the real
meaning Of the court for good and
orderly government.
Whenever you destroy the court,
the tree Of civilization will topple
in the night" said Judge Jones. ANY
one who attempts to obstruct and
nullify, destroy or break down the
power of the court Is an enemy to
society, Socialist and an anarchist"
Turning back to a discussion Of the
need Of every child for an education,
he urged upon the young people pres
ent the necessity Of doing something
ito honor your father and your moth
err" successful school must have
rules and strict obedience. he said.
Judge Jones praised the last gen.
eral assembly Of South Carolina for
the appropriation Of $4,000 to help
the work Of building I'm the state. He
said that It has been his earnest de-
sire that the general assembly this
year appropriate double the amount.
100000. lone of the dawning hopes
Of my life, IL I am elected governor,
will be to emphasize the policy OF
education. I believe in just appro-
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