Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-11-04
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1913.
JEFFERSON HOTEL BANQUET
Governor Blease is Pleased With De-
veIopments, but Regrets View

Governor bioase Is fieaSSo WIN SS
velopments, but Regrets View
Melaurin. .. ..
Columbia, November 2.-When ask
ed for an expression as to the gather
ing Of his friends and supporters In
Columbia during fair week, Governor
Blease said:
Personally, I am very much graf
ified with the meeting Of the other
night. / have seen hundreds Of my
friends from every nook and corner
of the state, and from the reports
brought In, I am satisfied that / am
stronger in the state than have ever
been before. I am further satisfied
that the meeting the other night Will
be conducive of further benett, not
only to our side, but to all the white
people of our state, for 1t will put our
men on guard and will ensure fairer
elections in the future. Our men Will
be on guard and watch any attempt to
purchase or intimidate the voters.
am further satisfied that the white
people will get their registration GER
tificates and will be ready for any
emergency which may come.
there will be no restriction OF the pri-
mary by the legislature, and II we
control the state convention, as 1t now
seems positive that we will, there Will
be none there.
Taken as a whole, I am delighted
at the weeks gathering, and Will de-
feat Mr.. Smith for the senate, ana my
friend will be elected governor, easily,
by from 10000 to $4,000 majority, as
/ was elected last summer, although
we did not get quite accredited with
that amount"
Senator McLaurin, published in vari-
Gus newspapers Of the state, governor
Blease said:
IT regret that Senator McLaurin has
taken the view Of the situation that ne
has. I have stated to him privately,
as I have to others who have spoken
to me of the coming campaign-ano
as 7 have stated to the representatives
of the newspapers. and in public on
many occasions-and as nave stateo
on the rostrum, that was not going 10
support any man in the first race LOT
governor next year, that l was not
going to make any distinction between
INV friends. but let them all run, so far
as / am concerned, and keep my
mouth out of it until the second race,
when of course shall support that
man who represents the views that 1
do. and shall appeal to all my friends
to rally around his standard.
"Bleaseism is the original Reform
movement in its purity, without COM
promise Of principles. / was elected
governor in 1910, independent or Mr..
Tillman, and when he was supporting
openly another, and / hardly think
anybody will say that I came In on
Tillman in 1912. Many OF my very
strongest supporters were bitterly op-
posed to Tillman, while others or my
strongest supporters have peen loT oT
Tillman. My support comes from all
the people who love free speech and
equal rights to all. 1t is simply an
outgrowth Of the demand Of the white
Democracy Of South Carolina to De
free and independent, and the de-
mand of the great common people to
have their friend and representative
in the governors office. AS the head
of that movement I have been sue
cessful, as will be he who leads II IN
1914.
Senator McLaurin Is mistaken in
his political review. However, nave
no criticism to make Of him.
'That was a representative meet
X,
Every class was there. There were
preachers, merchants, farmers, cotton
mill operatives, lawyers, doctors,
newspaper men, and men In every walk
Of life. A more representative body
has never assembled in this state, and
/ think the positions in politics. bus
iness and religious hfe-and In all the
walks and professions Of lffe-that are
held by many Of them. go to show
that 1t was a body Of able men, whose
honor and integrity cannot be ques-
toned, and whose loyalty and devo-
ton to their state and the principles
of Democracy will not be criticised by
those who know them, or for mo-
ment doubted, and men, many OF
them, who have never been and never
will be candidates for public office un-
less the necessity should arise which
would call them from the pursuits and
the happiness Of private life"