The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-01

Columbia, Oct. 29.-Determination
to oppose any effort to restrict the
primary, and an equal determination
to control the next Democratic State
Convention and State committee, were
prominent features of the conference
Of two hundred followers Of Governor
Cole l.. Blease, who gathered tonight
in the jefferson Hotel around the
banquet board and listened to speech
es from Governor Blease and his
prominent lieutenants.
The banquet began o'clock and
lasted until midnight. Speeches from
leaders worked the gathering up at
times to the highest pitch Of enthusi-
asm. Governor Blease was given an
ovation, and the speakers We'd with
one another in paying tribute to their
leader. The meeting brought forth the
positive announcement from Mr..
Charles Carroll Simms. of Barnwell, Il
close personal and political friend Of
the Governor. that he would be IN
the race for Governor next year. The
Governor himself emphatically stated
that he would take no hand in the
gubernatorial race in the first pri-
mary. but intimated that he woul'
hA In, hn
race IL that race be between q Blease
man and an Anti-Bleasite.
As equally significant was, the state
ment from Governor Blease that he
would fight as long as he lived the
man who introduced the resolution in
the State committee last summer pro-
viding for an investigation into tho
tcharges Of fraud in the primary.
While he called no names, the refer
ence was clearly understood to be
Richard 1. Manning Of Sumter. II
brought forth a storm Of cheers.
-, Senator McLaurin and Mr.. c. C..
Simms were the only gubernatorial
candidates present. Both made speech.
es, but Mr.. simms appeared to be tho
favorite of the gathering, cries Of
Our next Governor" and cheers
punctuating his speech, which was
largely a glowing tribute to Gov
ernor Blease and his followers Sem
ator McLaurin was given respectful
attention and drew applause, but ap-
parently his speech did not contain
the material the crowd wanted.
Assistant Attorney General Domi-
nick acted as toastmaster, and in his
Introductory remarks was given a
rousing reception. The crowd want
ed him to run for governor, and this
was suggested by several speakers
but he positively declined, saying that
he was going to be elected to congress
from the 3rd district.
Governor Blease urged his followers
to attend club meetings and secure
control Of the convention, bitterly op-
posing any restriction of the primary
announcing that he would veto any
legislation along this line. urged every
white man to register. charged that
fraud was committed In the last pri-
mary by the Jones people and that his
majority over Jones was really 10000;
said fund had been collected and
used In that primary from corpora
tions in trying to help elect Jones, and
said one man now running for COVER
nor had gone around in his home town
and took up e fund. and that he hop
ed mo Blease man would disgrace
himself by voting for that man for
governor" saying he would fight him
on the stump next summer.
Mr.. Sam J. Nichols, Of Spartanburg,
a candidate for congress In the dis.
trict, was called for by the crowd ana
made spe&ch which drew tremendous
applause when he referred to tho cleo
tiOn of a Blease man for mayor Of
pp"i tdnpui u, Ill Spltc VI tnS IeSlTlC-
tions on the primary. He announced
be was going to speak at every coun-
ty precinct, and urged the people to
send delegates to the convention
pledged against any restrictions OF
the primary.
Representative C. c. Wyche, Of
Spartanburg, said State Chairman
John Gary Evans, told him he was In
favor of the same restrictions for the
State primary which were enforced In
the Spartanburg city election. requir-
ing registration certificates and poll
tax receipt.
Attorney General Peoples respond
ed to calls. and joining In the praise
tor Governor Blease. also went on
record as opposing restrictions of the