The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-08-22

persons was present at the senatorial
campaign meeting today to hear the
four candidates make their speeches.
The crowd was composed of Sumter
county and neighboring county voters
with a number Of ladies present. At
tention given to all the speakers, Gov
ernOr Blease being the only speaker
to be interrupted and this was for the
most part the cheering Of his sup
porters.
The crowd was overwhelmingly
anti-Blease, probably about one-ffth
leaving when Gov. Blease left the
stand. several hundred negroes being
among this numbey. A squad of the
Blease men had posted themselves
Immediately in front of the speakers
stand and these answered the cheers
Of "Hurrah for Smith," while the
senator was speaking, with cries of
"Hurrah for Blease."
The meeting was featured by Mayor
l.. ID. Jennings interruption Of Gov.
Blease at the beginning Of his speech,
when Blease stated that two Of his
opponents had been paid to make
this race against him. Rising quick
ly. Mr.. Jennings stationed himself di-
rectly in front Of Gov. Blease and de-
nounced him as a dirty cur and con-
temptible liar" Gov. Blease tried to
turn off and not notice the Interrupt
ton, but Jennings again faced him and
told him that you are low-down
dirty cur and a contemplate liar, if
you say | was paid to make this race"
Mayor jennings face was pale with
anger, and he seemed ready for any
move on Blease's part. Blease, how
ever, turned off, endeavoring to laugh,
and after taking a drink Of water,
again started out with his speech and
Mr.. Jennings sat down.
He tried later to explain his reasons
for not resenting the statement by
saying that on every stump in the
State he had ignored two of his op-
pOnents, as he had ignored jennings
to-day. Mr.. Jennings on the other
hand again repeated his statement
that Blease, or any other man who
stated or insinuated that he had re-
ceived pay for making this race was
a dirty liar.
This was the first time on the cam
paign that Blease had referred to
Messrs. Jennings and Pollock in their
presence and the announcement by
Mr.. Jennings OF Blease came as a &c
suit. Twice in his absence Blcasc
has referred to the Sumter mayor as
being paid to make the race, but not
in his presence before.
The speaking took place from q
stand in the rear of the court house
on which the candidates and news
paper men were seated and many
friends Of each candidate also climb
ed to the stand. Gov. Blease was TAX
EN- to the stand in a wagon drawn by
six horses, the outfit being fully dec
Grated in red, the Blease official col
ors. In the wagon were the governor
and a number Of his supporters in
this county. One automobile followed
the wagon and large number of
Blease supporters followed on the
on both sides cheering their
favOrite as they went
The meeting was presided over by
Senator John III. Clifton, county chair
man. The speakers were Senator
Smith, Gov. Blease, Mayor Jennings
and w. l.. Pollock. Each of them
received an excellent hearing, the
only disturbance being made by auto
mobiles. as the owners left the ground.
Senator IL. ID. Smith was the first
speaker. He was given a rousing re-
ception little short Of an ovation. He
referred to his fight i'm trying to better
conditions for the farmers, especial
ly his fight to advance the price of
cotton. lie was literally applauded
all during his speech.
Gov. Blease was the next speaker.
He referred to various bills which Sen
ator Smith had opposed, he said i'm the
legislature and Smiths alleged Has
kellism. He was interrupted hy
questions frequently and always re-
tOrted by calling the uuestiOncr Cow
ard" 'fOOl," dirty hound" "yelloW
dog" or some equally abusive ephithct
He refused to discuss his record. II
was at the first of his speech that h,
was denounced as "a dirty liar" by
Mr.. Jennings. but after he recovered
from this attack, he showed up in
good form and made II characteristic