The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-02-28
GOVERNORS POSITION
IN ORDERING ELECTION
WHY HE FIXED APRIL 90 FOR
CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION.
Says Executive Committee Did Not
Have Quorum, and Action Taken
by Them Blow at System.
Special to The Herald and News.

NpSS->~A >N-N>~
Columbia, Feb. 27-Gov. Blease, in
answer to a request for his full posi-
ton in the matter, has given the fol-
lowing interview explaining fully his
position in connection with the call
ing of an election to select a success
sor to Congressman Legare:
Shortly after Congressman Le-
cares death I wrote to each county
chairman in the First congressional
district in order to get their views in
regard to holding a primary. All of
them answered, favoring the primary.
| myself, personally, favored it, as
l have always favored the primary in
this State. AS the candidates were
announced, | addressed a letter to
each of them, whether prospective
candidates or those positively an
nounced, and each of them answered,
favoring the primary. l secured this
information for two reasons, first, so
that when the executive committee
met | could fu4 lish it to them, and,
secondly, that I might order the gen.
eral election at such time as would
give opportunity for primary to be
held.
81 am a member of the State execu-
tive committee, but have not attended
meeting since the present chairman
was elected. and will not attend one
while he is chairman, l do not speak
to him, and never expect to-personal-
ly, on business or otherwise. Conse-
quently l would not attend any meet
ing over which he presided, and if [
should be so unfortunate as to be in
one where majority would select
him as their presiding officer, would
Immediately retire.
when the committee met here last
Friday was exceedingly busy, having
just received from my secretary, Col.
Aull. large number of bills which
had been ratified by the general as
sembly and were awaiting my sigma
ture. | thought, however, that the
committee would consult the governor
not the member of the committee
from Newberry, but the governor OF
the State. whose duty it was to order
the election, upon the time the prl-
mary should be ordered. However,
the committee-or, at least, those who
met: understand there was not
quorum present, and those in the
meeting had no right to transact any
business-but those who did meet,
following their usual custom OF last
wear, showed their political bias and
prejudice against the present COVER
nor by absolutely ignoring him in the
matter and l feel that am in no way
:bound to recognize the acts OF MN
ority of committee, who did not
constitute a quorum, when they ao-
solutely ignored me in the matter.
Some time ago l announced tnat
T would order the election possibly
the second Tuesday in April, but GER
tainlv during the month of April, for /
deemed it extremely important on ac-
count of Charleston's situation ana
location towards the Panama canal,
and also for the reason that 1t mas
been agreed that the appointments OF
President Wilson in this State snail
be governed by the congressman OF
the respective districts-in view OF
these facts, | say, | deemed 1t eX-
tremely important for this important
post at Washington to be iilIed at the
earliest possible moment. | was sur
Drised. then, when | saw that the
committee had not only ignored me-
but had ignored the uate WHICH, Hou
suggested, and postponed the primary
TO q date which, if it should be allow
ed to govern the date for the general
election, would deprive this district OF
commemorative until the end Of the
special session Of congress, which
President Wilson will call, which
think would be very detrimental to the
best interests of the district, and par
ticularly to the port and city Of Char
lesion.
However, to be frank with you and
with the people of the district, l do
not think a primary -dvisable if it is