The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-08-14
who goes armed. ("

hand. Judge Jones asked: Are you
not armedT Mr.. Beard did not re-
ply. Judge Jones persisted: VIII
you not say whether you are armed -
Mr.. Beard slightly inclined his head
and said, What authority have you
TO askT Judge Jones turned again
TO the audience. He does not deny
it, he said.
Pulls CorksereH.
Are you armed?' asked a voice.
No" Judge Jones replied, and held
up his coat. turning completely
around. No: bpt please excuse me:
I forgot that had in my pocket a
lit,le corkscrew. show it TO you
because If should happen TO pull it
out accidently Governor Blease
would swear | was about TO assassi-
nate him. Over at Gaffney Yesterday
ne made great to-do about his fear
OF assassination and said IL he went
Others would go with him, which
meant that his bodyguard. Mr.. Beard.
with his concealed weapon. would
make others go with him The reason
why exhibit this corkscrem is that
the governor is not scared OF cork
screw. All this talk of assassination
is the veriest rot. Why, it never oc-
Cured TO me that there was any dan
ger in speaking anywhere in South
Carolina. 1t was slander on the
good people OF Cherokee county to
suggest that he was in peril Of assas-
sination at Gaffney."
Beard Shows Pistol.
Mr.. Beard, in conversation with
newspaper men after the meeting,
drew from his nip pocket an auto
matte pistol, when asked If he did go
armed, and said he was a properly
constituted peace officer having spe-
cial instructions to keep order on the
stand at campaign meetings. He ex-
hibited commission as deputy chief
constable" signed by Governor Blease
and bearing date of July 10, 1912
Let 1t be understood" said Judge
Jones, that it is easy to commit crime
in South Carolina and easy to pro-
cure a pardon from a tender-hearted
sentimental governor. and we will
have lawlessness, indeed Speaking
of the pardon of John Black, he ex-
claimed: NO state can stand for
such endorsement of graft by her
governor" He charged the governor
with having recklessly turned loose
pickpockets, barn burners, robbers
and murderers, and said tha; such
policy tore down the only protection
OF tie poor man. The Ian whu
would do best by the poor man. he
said, was he would would administer
Just laws Justly, fearlessiy and i'm
Farualy His opponent, ne continued,
sad OF him many small and mean
things, but had focnd himself utterly
unable to attack him in ihe citadel
of character He declared that in
making this ace he was animated by
no selfish Cf malicious pumose, but
vas moved only by the most earnest
desire OF helpirG TO restore the ancient
glory CT his state and rehabilitate her
in the eyes OF her own people.
Applause, hearty generous and
long-continued broke out upon the
conclusion of Judge Jones address
and he was presented with several
handsome floral tributes Miss Doro-
thy Iemp. of Lexington. and Miss
Lessie Johnson and Mrs. 4. H. Dryer.
OF Spartanburg, brought to the stand
in person their wreaths of flowers for
Judge Jones who made a brief but
graceful little thank-you speech.
Jokes on COrkScrew.
During the corkscrew episode the
candidates on the stand had a lot OF
fun. Judge Jones ironically extended
his corkscrew TO Governor Blease
who took it in his hands and laugh
ingly examined H. returning it with
bow 10 its owner in few minutes
BleaSc Cheered.
Governor Blease was greeted bv
prolonged cheering Referring TO the
corkscrew incident, he said that for
Judge Jones this meeting was a frost.
and because it was cold day in
August" he would need that corkscrew
when he came to warm up" at his
hotel in the afternoon. The governor
announced that he would address an
audience OF his friends on the court
house lawn in the evening. because.
he said there were 5000 Blease men
in Spartanburg county who were lock
ed up today in the cotton mills and
couldn't get here. but who would turn
out FOR bieas OH election day. Lewis
Parker and Tom Moore to the contra
try Notwithstanding" He said he had
challenged Judge Jones eyely day
this week TO make affidavit. as he
himself had done. as to the source
OF his campaign funds and whether
corporations were financing his race.
but Judge Jones had ignored the dare.
He said that if he had done moth
ing else for the poor man, ne had at
least stood between them and Cor
poratiOn Jones' Defending his ac-
tiOn in pardoning three negroes con
victed OF robbing and beating up a
white man in Richland county. he ex-
hibited letters recommending pardon,
from ID. K. Hydrick. now an asso-
ciate justice of the supreme court
but formerly circuit judge, and from