The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1917, 1914-09-08

ready pledged 10 defeat me.
felt then, as I feel now. that the
strife OF the campaign. should and.
that 1t was my duty TO lend my efforts
to that result. 1t is better for me to BIZ
defeated than for my people to un-
dergo months of factional fight, crim-
nation and recrimination, and an ex-
Dense OF the manner In which these
ballot boxes have been handled. / ac-
quiesce in the election, Ishall vote for
Senator Smith. But now assert that
1t Is manifest that the primary sys-
tenn as conducted In 1912 and in 1914
by the peope who have been in charge
of its management cannot survive
that 1t cannot yIry:Ge unless those
iniquitous, unjust and unfair rules
shall be repealed. Unless those wl.om
they approbrious!y call the lower
order" In our state he encouraged to
vote In the primary Instead IF being
deferred; unless they be fairly treat
ed, and honest men be found to con-
duct the counting of tho ballots cast
at the polls, and honest men TO see
that such an hnest count is properly
tabulated by the state executive COM
mittee. snt
deem 1t IL pride that have always
maintained that the primai system
is the one that we shouln uphold and
keep. I have never and will not now
raise my hand or voice to defeat It's
present results. But I warn the pco-
pie OF South Carolina that the patience
of the true majority OF the manhood
of South Carolina will very little
longer stand the treatment which
they have received.
To you, my friends. have said that
my political ambition was gratifled
four years ago J. have never had any
special desire of any further advance
ment in political life. except to serve
those whose opinions. whose rights
and interests l represent, and by
whom l have stood through storm
and sunshine. They say that Blease
lam Is dead. Blease Is defeated for the
office that he ran for, In tho manner
above !de;sSerlbed. but sicase;sm is not
dead. N"t, tsi.-S- N4p '''
What iAs Bleaseism? Every message
that have sent to the legislatures
since Il have been governor, which
bodies were under tho control OF my
opponents has been in the Interest
and for the betterment Of the poorer
classes Of our people. and the adjust
ment upon. equity and fairness Of the
rights betMsen them 'anIl5 their richer
and more. fortunate fellows,
II have s.s governor maintained the
rights Of the poor man 10 an equality
with those OF tho ricn man. in the ex-
ercise OF iall the d1ties and obliga-
tions In the life OF the citizen. I hayn',
worked and struggled that the poor
white man OF South Carolina SHALL
have the same voice in. government
as the rich man; as the banker, the1
capitalist. the president OF the mill.
and the railroad officers: that when
1t comes to voting for Office. that the |
section man and railroad operative
who tolls day by day for the support
of his family, shall have the same |,
right to vote for whcmsoever he
pleases as the president OF the ruaa. |
VINO rides in his private car, sur
rounded by ..his subordinates obeying !
his beck aud call; that the clerk in |
the banking houGe, when he goes to
the polls to cast his vote, snail be as
In his choice as to who
shall govern him. as the; president of
the bank who touches his bells and
rings into his pI.aence the ut-door
or indoor clerk: and that
the mill operatives. who toll by day
and by night shall have proper pro-
lection against the.- undue influenced
Of officers and owners OF mills,
Now, what has anti-Bleaseism been?t
Look at the records Of the legisla-
lures. Did they initiate any laws for
the poor man? Has anything been
passed which can be otheTwi6e knownl
than as oppression OF the masses and
the protection Of the rich and Of cap
It'll? Have. they seen that the crrpora-i
tions OF this state have fulfilled even +
the statutory requirements In their
conduct towards the pu6lic? Have
they seen that freight rates and pas
senger rates and freight accommodate
tions and passenger accommodations
have been. carried sout? y -
know or no such laws. Anti
is therefore nothing but
OF the rule OF the corr
porations and the rich over the poor;
the denial of salutary, laws for the
health. safety and projection OF those
who, cannbt protect themselves. It Is
the Indignation of. the press against
any interferencei with their opinionsl
or with their recommendations 1of
for office, or their control
Of the creature whom they have nelp-l
ed put In office. sSSs sss,S... sfs
These are the forces I have fought.
These are. the forces + will continue
to fight, hsther, Ifhear the standard
Of the people that F represent, or
stand as an. humble helper
In advancing their ca uSci The truth |
OF this situation. like all other |
truths. will at last prevail AS for my [
future, I shall endeavors like those