The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-07-24

The campaign meeting was held in
Columbia Friday. Nothing Of sensa-
tional nature developed. Governor
Blease spoke to a crowd from the
steps of the Capitol at night but did
not refer to the recent charges made
by Felder-Burns, and others in either
speech. In his speech at night he
stated ne would pardon any man that
would kill J. N. King and O. M. Wat
son If they came to their house in the
condition in which they visited the
mansion and used the language they
did there.
Sixteen hundred person sgathered
in the Columbia theatre yesterday to
hear what reasons for election the sew
eral candidates for State Offices had
to present. Industrial workers largely
predominated in the audience. Busi-
ness and professional men were
sparsely represented. The mass Of the
crowd was orderly, but disturbing ele-
ments made their presence felt early
and the noise became uncomfortable to
those who wished to hear, when Ira
B. Jones, candidate for governor
launched into a severe Arrangement
of the Blease administration.
No "Refutation"
Disappointment was generally ex-
pressed in the audience over the
failure of the governor to read an
expected statement in refutation of
charges brought against him by i'm
plication at the Burns-Felder hearing
in Augusta. The governor did not
undertake to discuss the Augusta,
Charleston or Columbia hearings OF
the legislative Investigating commit
tee.
Naturally, in so large an audience
under circumstances so likely to ex-
cite partisan feeling, there was much
noisy expression Of sentiment. The
supporters of Judge Jones made their
preference evident by the clappine
OF hands, chiefly, while Blease back
ers had recourse to hooting and yell
ing. This difference is almost every
where noticeable in the modes Of ex-
preston empolyed by Jones forces
and Blease forces. Blease men out
numbered Jones men in the audience
if volume Of cheers be accepted as the
criterion.
JOnes.Rembert Clash
There were two Interruptions in
the course of Judge Jones speech
aside from the periodical outbursts Of
catcalling, hooting, kissing and cheer
| ing for Blease. Geo. R. Rembert ol
the Columbia bar, who had been fool
leader of the Blease forces in the
house of representatives during the
past two sessions Of the general as
sembly, advanced to the front OF tht
stage, from his seat at the rear, or
hearing his name mentioned by Judge
Jones, and asked that the statemen
about him be repeated. Judge Jones
read:
"He (Blease) pardoned Glenn, whit
killed Rhoden in Batesburg. Glenn
says he paid Mr.. Rembert $500. Rem
bert is Blease's floor elader in thu
house. Did that $500 pay Mr.. Rem
bert to explain how Glenn was in
nocent, or did it pay for Mr.. Rem
bert's influence on Gov. Blease e
liberate a criminal?'
"Any who says Glenn gav'
me $500" said Mr.. Rembert, "is
liar"
81 have not said so," rejoined Judg'
Jones. "Glean said so, and upon de
mand I will produce proof that h
said it,,
Mr.. Rembert said no more, but re
tired to his seat in a group com
prising Joshua w. Ashley OF Honei
Path, formerly a representative from
Anderson county; Fred H. Dominica
of Newberry, formerly law partne
of Cole l.. Blease and w. P. Beard o
Abbeville, editor of the News-Scimi
tar Of Greenwood.
"Hissing Snakes"
At another time during Judg'
Jones' speech, the hooting and kissing
and the cheering for Blease from sup
porters of the governor attained sucl
volume that the chairman, H. N. Ed
munds, after seeking in vain to re
store order, announced that If tn
disturbance were continued he woult
adjourn the meeting at once. Gov
Blease sprang from his seat and cam.
to the front with han13 extended
gesturing for silence. There wer
Kisses and cries of put him out" ant
the confusion increased. Ladies seat
ed in the parquet departed in haste
Gov. Blease. when he could romman'
attention, said: "Fellow citizens,
lust want to ask my friends i'll thi
audience to give Judge Jones re
spectful hearing, and when Judg
Jones finishes,let these Kissing snake
leave"
| Things have come to a pretty pas