The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-07-11
CANDIDATES At BATESBURG.
MANY ACCEPT INVITATION TO
SPEAK TO PEOPLE OF
LEXINGTON COUN-
TY.
Large Audience Gathers in Chalitau-
qua Tent and Hear Office Seekers
Air Their Vicws-Blcasc and Smith
Absent.

tnOuSnt TO contain between 1000 and
5000 persons, mostly farmers but
many OF them women, gathered here
today from several counties for the
Joint and extra meeting Of candidates
for State and United States offices,
and chcercd louly the attacks Of
Messrs. Pollock and Jennings upon
the public record Of the governor,
who is their common rival for Sena-
tor Smiths seat. The governor failed
to attend. A few supporters Of the
executive were present and did a GER
tain amount of heckling, as is their
custom. None Of the speakers went
out of his way to defend the COVER
nor, though several Of his followers,
John G. Richards among them, were
absent
j. Rutledge McGhee, editor Of the
Batesburg Herald, who with NJ. T..
Rutland, mayor Of Batesburg, and q
committee Of citizens, invited the
candidates here. presided over the
meeting. Mr.. McGhee read a telegram
sent July by Mayor Rutland to the
governor who was then in Spartan
burg.
Mr. McGhee also read the reply sent
by the governor from Spartanburg:
Your wire. Can not be present at
Btaesburg"
Senator Smith was absent also. A
telegram from his secretary said that
the senator was prevented from at
tending the meeting by order Of his
physician. Had the senator been pres
cnt he would have received token
in the form c" cotton stalk, sur
rounded by peaches which had been
prepared by DR.. Didgell, formerly a
representative from Lexington county
In tho State legislature. There seems
to be strong sentiment in favor of
the senator here.
The meeting was held in a chau-
tauqua tent. 1t is chautaqua week
In Batesburg. A faker on street
corner mimicked the candidates and
afforded considerable amusement.
II, too, can use brilliant phrases"
he cried.
When the speaking began the tent
was filled and, the flaps being up,
hundreds stood outside. The crowd
listened attentively and respectfully
throughout the day with a few eX-
ceptions. Though the sun shone
brightly it was not hot.
| B. Frank Kelly. candidate for lieu
tenant governor, was given the honor
Of speaking first. Following him
spoke Mendel l.. Smith, Lowndes
Browning, John II. Duncan, John G..
IClinkscales, Robert a. Cooper, Charles
A. Smith and w. c. Irby, Jr., candi-
dates for governor. An hour and
half was taken for dinner, which
for the larger part of the crowd con-
sisted Of barbecue. After dinner the
speaking was continued A. j. Bethea,
candidate for lieutenant governor
spoke.
Then w. p. Pollock and l.. d. Jen-
nings in turn drew the cheers Of the
crowd and the hecklng Of the few.
both men giving almost all their time
to laying bare the records Of the gov
ernor, saying that though he was not
present his record was a public thing.
Cooley Is in Columbia calling for
calf rope and asking for somebody to
help him on. That is why ne isn't here
today" declared Mr.. Pollock.
The crowd yelled and showed their
pleasure when Mr.. Pollock, recalling
the celebration of the Fourth, cried:
'The people Of 16 counties have de-
clared declaration of independence
from the domination Of Cole l..
Blease."
To a heckling auditor, Mr.. Pollock
said:
"You sound to mo like one of those
fellows known as n coattail swingcr."
The candidate said that at Walter
bOrO the governor had declared him.
self in favor of impartiallty
yet" continued tl>c candidate, "he
comes here to Bateslgrg and cuts off
the heads of notarics public because
they arc not his friends"
An he moved 'cm." cried some
one.
Yes" returned Mr.. Pollock, "and
the people of South Carolina are go
ing to move him.
The statement was chccred loudly.
'Ilurrah for Coley." came the cry
from n sympathiZer of the governor.
Put ii to him. He don't care"
"No, he's too dead to feel it," re-
sp"ndcd Mr.. Pollock, much to the de-
light of the crowd.
The candidate read from the rec
Or'S of the pOStOlIicc department con-
corning 'Portland Ned" whom the