The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-03-06
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
ST|RS UP THE HOUSE
His Appearance on Floor Almost
the Signal For Fights.
RESENT HIS REFERENCES.
at Governors Words on Subject
of Asylum Investigation Report.

AT NONefnOfS words on SuDJect
of Asylum Investigation Report.
Last night the governor of South
Carolina delivered orally to the house
OF representatives a message which
was unusually impassioned even for
him, which set the pody by the ears
and came near provoking two fist
fights between members and himself.
Remarks attributed to Representative
Stevenson, In the debate of the after
noon, and the adoption by the house
OF resolution not only declining to
order the frther inquiry into the
State Hospital for the Insane which
had been asked by the governor, but
congratulating the committee of inves
tigation upon it's "statesmanlike" re-
port, were presumably the immediate
provOCations of the outburst by the
chief executive.
This was said to be first instance
In which governo's message has
been delivered orally by it's author
to either house of the South Caro-
lima general assembly.
The governor walked into the hall
alone at SIG o'clock.
ATTACKS ON STEVENSON.
The general attack OF the governor
was against w. +. Stevenson member
OF the special committee that was ap-
pointed to Investigate the conditions
at the State Hospital for the Insane
The governor took exception to GER
tain statements, attributed to Mr..
Stevenson In his speech yesterday
morning in the house when the Kirby
resolution for futher investigation
into the asylum matter was under dis
cussion.
The governor charged that the
statements by Mr.. Stevenson were as
"false a. the hinges that swing the
gates of hell" He denounced Mr..
Stevenson in the bitterest Of terms
Then Mr.. Stevenson came back and
showed that the chief executive was
basing his statements on a report in
an afternoon paper published in Co
lumbia. There was sharp contro-
versy btween the governor and Mr.
Stevenson.
The governor said that If the state
ments in the paper were true he
would fight it out personally that he
would be dead or indicated, and that
II he were killed Charlie Smith"
would be the governor of South Caro-
lima tomorrow morning"
The governor grew fiercer as his
speech progressed. He declared he
meant to fight" He invited some
one out Ol Ju6 udll. ne WAS IcduN
to annihilate some one for the state
ments.
BARNWELL RESENTS INSULT.
Discussing the report of the
speeches futhcr in the same paper
he governor launched into a bitter
attack on n. b. Barnwell, member
OF the house from Charleston.
Mr.. Barnwell rose TO a point OF
order when the governor referred to
him as acting i'm cOwardly manner.
1t took Mr. Barnwell only few
seconds to advance through the net
work OF chairs to the speakers stand
where the governor was delivering his
address. Disorder reigned There
was a general uproar. 1t seemed as
If the entire legislative body would
be thrown into fight. Members
rushed between Mr. BaTnwell and the
governor and prevented fight on
the speakers stand.
When the governor had been called
to answer personally for his rehec-
tions upon Mr.. Barnwell, he ended
his speech with n few words, not re-
ferring again to the Charleston mem
ber.
The governor Immediately left the
speakers stand and proceeded tc
leave the hall. There was rush oi
members to the rear OF the hall.
ANOTHER NEAR FIGHT.
w. F. Stevenson was among those
to move toward the door. Mr.
Stevenson went, he said, for the pur
pose of telling the governor that hC
had no apology to make for the state
ments contained in his speech. The
governor evidently thought Mr.
Stevenson was coming out to night
The chief executive began to pull of
his coat Members stepped betweeI
the two and Mr. Stevenson delivered
his statement. The governor theI
proceeded to his office, accompanied
by a member OF the house.
II demonstrated, said Mr.. Steven
soa, on returning to the floor OF th'
house." that based my speech OF
such matters as were contained II
the record of the asylum inquiry.
"I did not apologize but / con
vinced him that he was mistaken.
'T have been in some fights but
never take time to take of my coat
"I shall go down the steps I'm tn
usual way tonight and / think tha
will got home" Mr.. Stevenson con
tinued.
at is just hot air and II is gone,
said Mr. Stevenson, discussing tn
disposition OF the governors message
On motion OF Mr.. Wander Horst o
Charleston the message was receives
as information.
The governor was received wit
cheers by administration supporter
when he entered He walked alon
(Continhed on Page Eight)