The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1912-12-11
(From Richmond News-Leader.)

Richmond, Va, Dec 6-By a vote
of IA to a. Cole l.. Blease was practi-
cally blackballed by the Conference
of Governors today by the adoption
of resolution drawn by, Governor
William Hodges Mann, of Virginia,
placing the Governors Conference on
record as distinctly. opposed. to lynch
law and mob violence for negro as
sailants, as advocated b. the South
Carolina executive.
During the heated discussion among
members of the conference, as to ta-
bling the resolution temporarily,
Blease arose, was recognized, and op-
enly taunted, ridiculeds and defied
the conference to it's face.
He pleaded with it to pass it's reso-
lutions, swapping his fingers in the
faces of the amazed executives, he
said he cared little for it's resolutions
and little for it's body when compared
with the virtue of the women for it's
state.
Bantering the executives, Blease
said, Pass your resolutions, I defy
you. Your resolution amuses me. For
/ serve warning upon you that on
March 4. 1915, / will take my oath of
Office in the United States senate, and
in my toga / will laugh at you and at
your resolves. He intimated he would
go to the senate from South Carolina
upon the lynch platform.
The bombshell was exploded in the
conference at the conclusion of it's
morning session when Governor
O'Neal Of Alabama, introduced reso-
luton slapping Governor Blease in
the face for his expressed ideas on
lynch law and violence by the mob
The resolution OF ONeal was re-
ceived with great applause, but arous-
Governor Mann offered substitute
re- solution.
The two resolutions read:
This conference Of governors does
not undertake to control the individ-
ual views Of It's members upon any
question Of law or administration; it
declares that this government is bas-
ed upon the fundamental principle OF
law and order; that the constitution
Of each state imposes upon its chief
executive the supreme duty OF taking
care that the laws shall be faithfully
and equally enforced; that 1t advo-
a Ig Co. c4,
ening and simplifying our methods of
civil and criminal procedure.
This conference protests against
any disposition or utterances by those
entrusted with the execution of the
law in any of the states Of this I'm
ion which tends or could be construed
as tending to the encouragement or
justification OF mob violence, or inter
ference with the orderly processes of
the law.
Governor Mann arose and offered
the following substitute resolution:
Resolved, That it is the sentiment
of the governors conference, In ses-
sion at Richmond, Va, Dec. 6, 1912,
that the whole power Of the several
states should be used whenever nee
essary to protect persons accused Of
crime of every kind against the vio-
lence of mobs and to provide for
speedy, orderly and impartial trials
by courts of competent jurisdiction to
the end that the law for the protec-
tion of life and property be duly en-
forced and respected by the people"
BleasG Replies.
During the heated discussion which
arose over the adoption or rejection
of the O'Neal or Mann resolutions,
Blease gained the floor. He said: az
hold in my hand a fourth communica-
tion received by me today threaten
ing my life. This letter reached me
Continued on Page Three