The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-08-18
LAURENS CROWD
WELCOMES SONS
THE POLITICAL MEETING GOOD
NATURED AND ORDERLY.
Candidates Continue Their Charges
Along Lines Laid Out on Previous
Occasions.
The State.

The State.
Laurens, Aug. 13.-An audience OF
aout 1900 good natured and order
ly citizens of Laurens county, large
percentage of them women, listened
here today with close attention and
with spontaneous bursts Of approval
to the speeches of the candidates for
State offices. They accorded warm
welcome especially to the sons OF
Laurens county, Robert A. Cooper
and William &c. Irby, Jr., candidates
for governor, and ]. H. Wharton, can
didate for railroad commissioner.
Flowers also were given in the great
est profusion.
The gubernatorial candidates con-
fined their attacks to the same cnarg-
es as in previous meetings. john G..
Richards was on the defensive today
in replying to the attacks directed
against him for his legislative work
in getting the immigration bureau. He
also corrected several "misrepresenta-
tions" of his positions on various
questions.
The elimination conferences and
editorial figured again today as OBJ
iects of severe attacks at the hands
of several candidates.
When the candidates and news
paper men in the State campaign,
party arrived in Laurens last night,
citizens Of Laurens took them to pri-
vate homes in many parts of the city.
The generous hospitality was deeply
appreciated by all.
A Natural Amphitheatre.
The meeting was called to order at,
1890 o'clock by George A. Browning,
acting county chairman, for William
C. Irby, Jr., who is county chairman.
Ehe stand was near spring and sur
rounded On three sides by slopi1g hills
that made a natural amphitheatre with
a railroad embankment as a back
ground. The Rev. ]. f. /. Major, pas
tor Of the Methodist church, offered
prayer.
James A. Summersett, candidate
for comptroller general, was the first
speaker He spoke at length of the
.'evils of long tenure of Office
A. W. Jones said that Mr.. Summer
sett, by his speeches, showed his ig-
norance OF the tax problem. He
charged that his opponent was in the
race as an agent Of the bonding in:
surance trust.
w. W. Moore, seeking reelection as
adjutant and inspector. read many
Endorsements of his administration.
ne said that all property shortage
during his term in office was amply
covered by bonds.
M. C.. Willis said that Gen. Moore
had gotten many Of his Endorsements
while on his inspection tour and tnat
several persons had signed them "as
a matter of courtesy"
]. H. Wharton, of Laurens county,
candidate for railroad commissioner,
announced his candidacy and asked
that respectful hearing be given
the other candidates. He was warm
ly applauded and received large
bouquet. He was followed my W. I.
Witherspoon
Not Bleaseite.
The statement by George W Fafrey
that he had never and would never
vote for Blease was loudly cheered.
C.. D. Formers statement in strong
contrast to the above was greeted
with fewer cheers.
Frank w Snealy was the next
speaker. He paid tribute to Mr..
Wharton and was literally applauded.
William NJ. Hamer, candidate for
lieutenant governor, said that he was
not as serious about his race as his
competitors. He stated that South
Carolina would soon put the claw
above the man and not the man above
the law"
J. A. Hunter maintained that the
lawlessness of the State was largely
due to the abuse Of the pardoning
power. At this point a persistent
heckler was taken in charge by po-
liceman. The crowd cheered and
many said: That's right
HAS anybody here seen Kelley"
asked the chairman as the turn for
B. Frank Kelley to speak came
around. Mr.. Kelley was absent.