The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1913-11-05
A BLEASE BANQUET
Two HUNDRED OF his FRIENDS
ENJOY THE FEAST
Want To RULE PRIMARY
Carol G. Simms Comes Out for Gov
ernor on the Blease Platform and
is Given an Ovation, But McLaur-
ms Speech Meets With a Cold Re-
ceDtion From the Crowd.

| LII OpCVSA .0OCSS WALL - SSAN AsS
ception From the Crowd.
Determination to tight any effort tc
strengthen and make the primary alb.
solutely fair by throwing around Il
needed safeguards and an equal de-
termination to control the next Dem.
ocratic State Convention and State
committee, were prominent features
of. the conference Of two hundred fol.
lowers of Governor Cole L. Bleaso,
who gathered Wednesday night in the
Jefferson Hotel around the banquet
board and listened to s eeches from
Governor Blease and lis prominent
lieutenants. The banquel sagan at
o'clock and lasted until midnight.
Speeches from leaders worked the
gathering up at time to the highest
pitch of enthusiasm. Governor Blease
was given an ovation, and the speak
ers Wed with one another in paying
tribute to their leader. The meeting
brought forth the positive announce
ment from Mr. Charles Carroll Simms
of Barnwell, a close personal and po-
litical friend Of the Governor, that he
would be In the race for governor
next year.
The governor himself emphatcially
stated that he would take no hand In
the Gubernatoria1 race in the first
primary, but intimated that lie would
back the Blease man in the second
race il that race be between Blease
man and an anti-Bleasite. AS equally
significant was the statement from
Governor Blease that he would fight
as long as he lived the man who In
troduced the resolution in the State
committee last summer providing for
an investigation into the charges Of
fraud in the primary. While he call
ed no names the reference was clear
ly understood to be Richard I. Man
ming of Spmter. 1t brought forth a
storm Of cheers.
Senator McLaurin and Mr.. c. c..
Simms were the only gubernatorial
candidates present. Both made
speeches, but Mr.. Simms appeared to
be the favortte Of the gathering, cries
Of "Our next Governor" and cheers
punctuating his speech, which was
largely a glowing tribute to Governor
Blease and his followers. Senator Nc
Laurin was given respectful atten-
tion and drew applause, but apparent
ly his speech did not contain the ma
terial the crowd wanted. Assistant
Attorney General Dominick acted as
toastmaster, and in his Introductory
remarks was given rousing recep-
ton. The crowd clearly wanted him
to run for Governor, and this was
suggested by several speakers, but he
positively declined, saying he was go
Ing to be elected to Congress from
the 3rd district.
Governor Blease urged his follow
ers to attend club meetings and Sc
cure control of the convention, Bit
terly opposed any change Of the pri-
mary announcing that he would veto
any legislation along this line, urged
every white man to register. Several
Of the small fry also made speeches.
Mr.. Charles Carol Smms in saying
that B1easism meant something high
er and nobler than Tillmanism start
ed an ovation and warming up to his
subject kept the crowd cheering all
through his speech. That the Blease
conference felt that they we're was-
ing the peoples light was evident in
the way the crowd cheered. They are
enthusiastic over Governor Blease and
are confident they are going to send
him to the Senate, but feel that they
ought to have an out and out Please
man to run for Governor.
There Is little doubt but that had
Mr.. G.. r. Rembert been present he
would have carried the day, for when
Governor Blease referred to his Ill
ness and brought to tho crowd Mr..
Rembert's message to the effect that
he expected to recover and make the
race and for his followers not to
leave his standard. and when other
speakers referred to 1im the gather
ing cheered Mr.. Rerrhert's name to
the echo. With the feeling that Mr..
Rembert's sickness eliminates him
there was decideH drift towards Mt.
Simms, as was evidenced at the ban
quet. Two hundred Blease followers
were gathered from every county in
tho State and comprised men from
every profession and walk Of life. 1t
was an enthusiastic gathering Of the
leaders Of the Blease forces.