Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-06-25
THE STATE CAMPAIGN.
Interest Centres Mainly in the Fight
Between Blease and Jones.
At BennettsviIIe,

There were about 1000 people out to
hear the state campaigners at Ben
nettsville, Governor Blease spoke first,
Mr.. Duncan next and Judge Jones last
Governor Blease received no ap-
plause when he got up; but was ap-
plauded quite literally during his
speech and was given a rouser when
he concluded. Judge Jones was greet
ed with a round Of applause on his ap-
pearance and was cheered frequently
during his speech.
The governor discussed his clashes
with the supreme court and legislature
and showed to his satisfaction that he
was not only correct but that he won
out. Referring to the criticism that he
had been subject to on account of his
employment of Green and Creighton as
detectives, he read the itemized state
ment Of the payments made by Hey
ward and Ansel, his two predecessors,
for the same purpose. During his first
term Heyward paid to detectives the
sum Of $2,291.93 out Of a $2,500 appro-
priation and during his second term he
paid $1,36S.71 out Of a $2,5O0 appropri-
alton. Ansel paid $1,230.75 during his
first term and SEAS during his second
term.
During his speech, Governor Blease
said Il never did vote tor social equal
ity like Judge Jones'" Judge Jones
rose in his seat and said, IF you
charge me with favorIng social equali-
ty, 1t Is maliciously false" Governor
Blease argued that Judge Jones's vote
against the separate coach law was a
vote for social equality. Judge Jones
said any Inference that he was in ia
vor Of social equality was a lie out Of
the whole CLOTH"
Referring to the possibility Of a per-
sonal encounter, during the campaign
Governor Blease said: II do not pro-
pose to get mad and have some of his
cowardly henchmen shoot me in the
back as has been intimated to me, but
will say that II he ever gets on me I
will help him off. I have been warned
that I had better not say anything
about Pussy Foot Bill (W. ]. Thur
mond, Judge Jones's campaign manag-
err because he had already killed a
man in Edgefield county" When Judge
Jones denied rather sharply one of the
governors thrusts, the governor re-
piled, Don't get mad old pardner,
you'll get hotter than this before Au-
gust" Governor Blease read the fol-
lowing:
'I have conducted this campaign on
q high and honorable plane; have
made no personal attacks whatever
upon either of the candidates for gov
ernor; but have criticised severely the
record Of ex-Judge Jones, which con-
slider the most vulnerable and the dir
tiest that could possibly have been
made by any white man and South
Carolinian. I have said not one word
except what / have furnished the rec
ord to prove beyond a shadow of q
doubt; and at Bishopville his record
eliminated him from this race. It has
not been what have said, 1t was the
record as made by him. He admits he
made it and in part apologies and ac-
knowledges his mistakes. That does
not relieve him from having made 1t,
which regret, for dislike to see any
South Carolinian vote for social equal
ity.
"On yesterday he placed himself on
a plane beneath my notice. and below
my standard Of gentlemanly conduct
and for the balance of this race
shall absolutely ignore him or any
charges that he may make; unless he
attacks me personally, in which event,
and put him on notice that the threat
that some of his henchmen have made
that would be assassinated, will be
given the opportunity to be put into
effect. I do not propose to handy
words, as a coward, q blatherskite or
a blackguard, and / hope from this
day on that he will thoroughly under
stand that I consider him beneath M
notice and shall pay absolutely no at
tention to him or his charges. I do
this in the interest Of peace and order,
because am the chief magistrate Of
this state.
However, II he insults me personal
ly / shall hold him strictly to an ac-
count off Of the platform, when no
others will be in danger but he who
brings it on and the gentleman who re-
sents 1t as a gentleman should.
II request the newspapers to publish
this in full in order that the people
Of South Carolina may know my posi-
tion. Some may say that am a cow
ard, but think my position Is the cor
rect one, and whatever / may be call
ed, 1t Is the one which I shall adhere
to-"
Judge Jones was received with great
applause and when 1t subsided he pro-
ceeded to denounce any statement that
he was in favor of social equality as a
malicious miserable lie
out Of the whole cloth. He said that he
had led the fight against negro domi-
nation In Loncaster county and he had
been against negro domination ever
since. Referring to the governors
claims Of economy he mentioned the
veto of the $4,000 appropriation for the
heating plant at the negro college, and
compared that with the governors EVIL
dent willingness to approve a bill that
would appropriate 100000 to remodel
40 ofn n
while a trustee Of this negro college,
Governor Blease had favored an appro-
priation for the heating plant. Judge
Jones declared for justice for the ne
gro, who he said was the servant Of
the white man and should be kept in
his place. He said that Governor Blease
was at enemity to all departments Of
the state and said such g. man Is an
enemy to society and to the state.
Judge Jones discussed the row between
the governor and the supreme court
over the appointment Of special judges,
ETC., and held that the governor had
gotten the worst Of 1t. He denied that
the governor was entitled to any credit
for being able to borrow money at
three per cent, declaring that this low
rate Of interest was due to the good
name and good reputation Of the state.
He argued also that there was moth
ing in Blease's claim that he had re-
voked the commissions Of notaries in
order to get rid Of negroes, for II that
had been his purpose there would have
been nothing to do but to revoke the
Of the negroes. He said
that the revolution did not result In
saving to the state but to an extra tax
on the people who at last have to pay
for the commissions Of the notaries.
II am glad" said Judge Jones,
that Governor Blease has referred to
the fact that I resigned the speaker
ship of the house of representatives.
| will tell you why I did it. There was
an attempt being made to raise the
pay Of the members Of the legislature
from 81 a day to SIS day and I was
not in favor Of 1t. When l was about
to appoint a committee to consider
the question, composed Of men who
| knew would not squander the states
the house attempted to take
from my hands, as speaker, the power
of appointing committees. l stepped
down and out, and I was actuated by
motives of patriotic service to my
state"
There is one thing may say" de-
clared Judge Jones, land that is that
there Is probably not man In South
Carolina who has resigned two great
offices like that Of speaker Of the house
Of representatives and the chief JUS
ticeship from patriotic motives. My
only desire is to tender my state