Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-07-03

IatOr Smith was rather more marked
than was that for Messrs. Jennings
and Pollock, and judging by the vol
ume and length Of the demonstrations
at the close Of the speeches, the ad-
vantage seemed rather in favor OF
Governor Blease; but as to this there
was difference Of opinion.
The meeting was begun at 1890
o'clock, w. w. Lewis, Esq, county
chairman, presiding. Rev. ]. L. Oates
pastor of the Yorkville A. r. p.
| church, offered the opening prayer.
The county chairman asked for a
peaceful hearing and courteous treat
ment of all the candidates. He in
troduced as the first speaker, Mayor
l.. d. Jennings of Sumter.
Mr.. Jennings.
J Mr.. Jennings made reference to
the fact that this was his first visit
to Yorkville. 1t was being told over
t'c state that he was in the race not
TO win, but to aid senator Smith. He
denied the story and said that If re-
ports which were coming to him from
over the state were true, he would
intend going into state politics until
a few weeks ago when he was APP
preached by men who thought both
smith and Blease incompetent.
Mr.. Jennings went into an extend
ed discussion of the record OF Gov
ernor Blease, whom he said, had beer
in office four years and had done
nothing. l submit, said the speaker
the governor is a man of such tenn
permanent that with him it is rule oil
ruin. Why did he ignore the chief
justice in the appointment or special
ljudges? The governor has almost
demoralized the state militia, ne
cannot work in harmony with other
state officials when it is necessary to
borrow money to run the government
With the governor, every matter is
a case Of Big 1 and little You, said
the speaker. He could not get along
lin the senate, because there, mer
have to work together for the COM
mon good.
If a few men sign a petition fol
pardons, Blease thinks it his duty to
grant them. said Mr.. Jennings.
Hes a good hearted fellow" said
a man in the crowd.
Very" said Mr.. Jennings. The
speaker referred to the pardon OF
Portland Ned, the safe-cracker., II
YOU stand for those kind or pardons
vote for Governor Blease for the
senate.
Hes going back" came from
the crowd. "Yes, he's going back,
quickly retorted Mr.. Jennings. back
to Newberry and the livery stables'
Qaughter.)
The speaker then took up the asyl-
um investigation matter. He pictured
the struggles of the parents or Dr.
Saunders to educate her and related
how she became an angel of mercy
in the state hospital
But Blease, not being satisfied with
being governor, appointed regents
etc., had special friends of his put on
the hospital staff. These friends be-
came Jealous of DR.. Saunders. There
were cries of "hurrah for Blease,
while others shouted, that's right
Jennings"
The speaker then told Of the "star
chamber" meeting in Columbia on
January Is. At this meeting, TINS
lady, her aged father, her attorney
and others were run out because they
said it was an executive session. Yet
the governor and his stenographer
were there, and they had no more
right to be than did DR.. Saunders
and If the records of that meeting
. were read il would make even the
i hair on a Bleasite stand on his head.
I'VE know all about it, tell us
lsomething we don't know" came from
the crowd"
| Preach that" cried others.
If there are enough men who ap-
prove that record to send Blease to
the senate, then may God have mer-
CIV on our citizenship, said Mayor Jen-
nines. You may holler for Blease;
you may vote for him; but what
would you think of a judge who, not
having heard the testimony, carried
his verdict in his pocket?
Hes going to. the senate" came
from the crowd again. rs he gong
to take Gus Richie with him.
II don't know" replied Mr.. Jen-
nings, maybe he will make him door,
keeper" said Mr.. Jennings.
(Richie is from Laurens county.
He is a paralytic and is under $4,000
bond to return to the penitentiary TO
complete his sentence as soon as ms
lphysical condition permits.)
The speaker then read part OF
the report of the legislative commit
tee of the asylum investigation. He
referred to DR.. T. ]. Strait of Ian
caster, a member Of that committee
as an appointee of Governor Blease'
Mighty weak" said the speaker
in answer to a shout for the govern
or. IF you don't vote for him any
stronger than you shout for him. ne II
never get to the senate. You think
Blease is a little lord. What has he
done for you?" What have you
done?" asked man. Il am trying
to open your eyes" retorted Mr.. Jen-
lnines. "Oh, yes he has helped the
criminals. So far as petitions are
concerned, why l could get up pc
tition in this crowd to hang the best
man here"
The speaker then devoted his re-
marks to Senator Smith, who, ne
said, had not done anything. If L am
elected to the senate, l cannot prom
Use you what will do. "4ou'H never
60" came from the audience. 1t is
impossible to turn every negro mail
clerk out of the service, and l will
not promise that"
South Carolina should get her part
of the money devoted to navigation
and drainage. Smith has gotten none
of this money. Neither did he raise
the price of cotton. He was in the
senate when cotton rose, but he did
not raise the price.
j "Oh, well, we are going to send hlm
back to regulate rainfall, SAID man
in the crowd Yes, he claims to be
responsible for the price of soda go
| ing down, but not for mules going
up" said Mr.. Jennings.
| Why, Senator Smith could only
make people in the asylum believe
that he is responsible for the increase
! in cotton. In 1909, he told the farm
ers to hold their cotton for 10 cents
vet they got only s and cents.
| "Well, Jennings, you can promise
to draw your salary said Mr.. Joe
Sims, of Sharon.
| The speaker said he had fought
more corporations than all the other
Sumter lawyers combined, nthe last
| ten wears He said his income was
twice as much as n senatorial toga
pays, and that he would be los
ing money by going to the senate
vet he had considered it his duty TO
make the race. In reply to a ques-
ton, the speaker said he had never
. asked the governor for pardon;
neither had he signed one, but had
been successful in not letting any OF
his clients get in the penitentiary.
The campaign had thus far been
placed on high plane. The speaker
was personally friendly with all the
candidates. He asked the audience
| ,,,to fo. tha host renrpSpntAtlEe,