The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-06-19
ABOUT 800 PEOPLE
HEAR CANDIDATES
SPEAKERS GIVEN RESPECTFUL
HEARING.
About 200 Ladies Present-COunty
Chairman Dreher PreSided-GOOd
Order Prevailed.

Chairman Dreher PreSided-GOOd
Order Prevailed.
St. Matthews, June 1.-THE long
awaited and much talked of contest
for United States senator was official
l. opened here today, When Senator E..
d. Smith, Governor Cole. L. Blease,
TIE Hon. ". P. Pollock, OF Cheraw, and
Mayor l.. D. Jennings, Of Sumter, "the
big four" aspirants for the seat in the
upper house Of congress now held by
the first named, spoke before a crowd
of about eight hundred, probably two
hundred of wnom were ladies Of Cal
houn county, and citizens from several
adjoining counties. County Chairman
T. H. Dreher presided, and pretty good
order was preserved throughout the
meeting, which was held on the school
grounds. Each candidate was accord
ed a respectful hearing, and while It
was evident that the Smith adherents
were in the majority, supporters Of
the governor were not lacking.
The crowd was seemingly impressed
with Messrs Pollock and Jennings,
who are making their debut in politics
OF a Statewide character. Although
the meeting was devoid of anything
like enthusiasm, the audience mani
tested considerable interest in all the
speeches.
Smith Denies Allegations.
The only incident that gave promise
Of any real excitement occurred when
Governor Blease, who spoke first, re-
ferred to James L. Sims, United States
marshal, and William E. Gonzales,
minister to Cuba, as having secured
their appointments through Senator
Smith. The senator interrupted with
the remark, 81 had no more to DO
with the appointment of Gonzales than
did Cole. L. Blease
when the governor declared that
James L. Sims, another Smith ap-
pointee, admitted ne helped to get out
niger paper Senator Smith again
interrupted with Sins was Tillman's
appointee,"
The governor then read letter
from Senator Tillman to W. J. Shelton,
which said, Senator Smith and I have
agreed about the United States mar
shall, and Mr.. Sims, of Orangeburg,
will be appointed the governor add
ing, ''If it's a lie, Ben Tillman wrote
it, and don't believe Old Ben would
lie for a Republican" Senator Smith
again arose and advanced to the front
CT the platform, and standing by the
governor said he supposed tae latter
wanted to be fair, explaining that he
and Tillman had agreed on the mar
shall and that each would nave a man
for district attorney, and declared the
senator vigorously, no man living in
the image of God, can call me liar
Chairman Droher interfered, Senator
Smith returned to his seat, and with,
|'Well Mr.. Tillman wrote the letter"
from t1e governor, the incident was
closed.
= +
The Columbia Record of Wednesday
had the following to say of the Incl
dent:
The governor then read a letter to
w. j. Sheldon, Coloaia hotel, Colum-
bia, from B. R. Tillman, in which the
latter states that be and Senator
Smith agreed upon the appointment
Of Sims Some one has lied said
Blease, and, with all old Ben Till
mans faults, l believe he tells the
truth
"At this juncture Senator Smit1!
arose to his feet, and faced Governor
Blease, saying 4 believe you desire
to be fair, and keep the record
straight. l tell you that Sims is an
appointee Of Senator TiIlman; and no
living man made in the image OF God
can call me liar
,
The governor declared he would
have one hundred thousand copies OF
his speech printed and distributed.
after his speech the gorernor Ief; the