The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-21
JONES H0WlED DOWN.
CANDIDATE IL DENIED RIGHT OF
TREE SPEECH AT ANDERSON.
Chairman's Efforts Vain--Jones Men
In Crowd Being Prepared to Re-
taliate, Bleasc Makes no ETo-t 20
Speak at Meeting, but Addresses
supporters Later On - Governor
Asks Audience to Keep Quiet.

Anderson. Aug. 17-Judre Ira Il.
Jones was howled down by supporters
OF Governor Cole l.. Blease at the
state campaign meeting here today.
A former Chief Justice of South
Carolina now aspiring to the Cover
norship. was denied the right of free
speech by voters of Anderson County.
Three times did Judge Jones attempt
to speak and in each instance. ere
he had uttered more than few
words. his voice was drowned out by
the mighty yells. that went up from
hundreds who were dete, mined that
he should not be heard. Tie howl
ing down of Judge Jones was emf
nently successful. despite the efforts Of
Acting Chairman s. Dean Pearman.
Mayor Lee @. HOLMAN. Josh" Ash
ley and Governor Blease himself to re-
store order. For fifteen or twenty
minutes pandemonium reigned. and
the presiding officer seeing no chance
OF quelling the tumult. declared the
meeting adjourned without the au-
dience having heard either Of the two
leading candidates for Governor.
lncensed at the treatment given
their favorite. who was the second
candidate for Governor introduced,
the Jones men in the crowd, although
outnumbered about three to one,
plainly indicated their purpose to re-
taliate should Governor Blease at
tempt to speak. Therefore. the Gov
ernor told several persons on the
stand ne would not speak unless Judge
Jones were granted a fair hearing.
This information was conveyed to the
Blease men In the crowd by Josh"
Ashley. who added personal appeal.
but all to no avail The greater part
Of the crowd. II was reliably stated.
/, came 10 the meeting with the ints:,.
don Of silencing the Anti Blease can
didate for Governor and nothing
would satisfy them but the accom-
plishment Of their purpose.
Although 1t vas reported that "a
demonstration antagonistic to Judge
Jones had been planned. few believed
that IL would assume such proper
tions. The city authorities had ta!;en
what they thought were SUFFICIENT pre-
cautions to prevent any real disorder.
but almost as soon as the bowling
started, II was realized that nothing
could stem the tide Of hostility to-
ware Judge Jones'
Governor Blease managed to get in
few words during the process Of
bowling down Judge Jones and the
Governor declared that the Jones
men were responsible for the trouble
and were trying to create sympathy
for their candidate. 1t was very evi-
dent. however. that the great volume
OF sound could not have come from
the small number OF Jones supporters
the Governor admitted the crowd con-
tanned.
The meeting was held In Buena
Vista Park. Anderson's amusement
resort. and the crowd numbered about
2.5oo. All the candidates for minor
offices were listened to respectfully.
In fact. 30 good was the order pre-
served during the first part Of the
meeting. that the rumors of possible
trouble were practically forgotten.
Everything went along swimming
~. except for an occasional Interrupt
tion which bore no significance until
Judge Jones was introduced. Then
the storm broke and in all Its fury.
There was no mistaking from the be-
ginning the purpose of the howlers.
Each word that Judge Jones uttered
was lost In the noise that came from
more than "A thousand throats. Sit
ting on the railing OF the speakers
stand in an attitude of defiance
Judge Jones waited while the chair
man pleaded with the disturbers "a
desist. His words fell on deaf ears
however. Judge Jones then sat down
and Governor Blease arose. Turning
90 the reporters table. the Chief Ex-
ecutive said: You newspaper men
get this down now and don't lie
Then facing the crowd. which ne with
several magic waves OF his arms sue
ceeded In quieting in a measure for a
very brief period. the Governor de-
clared:
The Jones men up in those trees
81 faty c.attara1 arnnnI In tho