The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-07-24
GOVERNOR COLE l.. BLEAsE
Brief Sketch OF the Carer OF the Chief
Executive Of South Carolina. Who
Is Now Il Candidate for the Unit.
cd States Senate

FARM. known as the Blease or Men
dcnhall place. four miles west Of
Newberry court house. His father
moved to Columbia and lived there
one year, winding up the business af-
fairs Of the firm Of Bleasc & Due. and
then moved back to Newberry where
he ran a hotel and livery stable. He
attended Ncwberry college, finishing
the Junior class.
In 1887 Mr.. Dlease attended the law
department of the South Carolina col
lege for six months.
In lSSS. he was a capdidatc for the
house Of representatives from New
berry county and received majority
IF the votes cast but three others hay-
ing received majority, he did not
become the nominee Of the party. He
then attended Georgetown University,
Washington, ID. c., from which insti-
tuition he graduated in law, and was
Immediately upon examination, admit
ted to practice law, before the Su-
prone Court Of the District of Colunl-
bia. In June, 1889, he returned to his
home in Newberry, and. upon motion
before the Supreme court of South
Carolina. was admitted to the practice
of law in the courts In this state.
In February, 1890, he was married
to Miss Lille b. Summers and for
few years after his marriage he re-
sided in the town of Helena, near
Ncwberry. In order to improve law
less conditions there. he was instru-
mental in having the town incorpor-
ated. and served as it's first intendant,
which position he held until his re-
election to the legislature vacated the
position.
In 1890 he was elected to the house
of representatives by very flattering
vote. When Representative Buchanan
resigned to become private secretary
to Senator Irby, he was elected by the
committee as chairman Of the commit
tee on privileges and elections of the
house, and as such served as member
OF the State Board of Canvassers for
several session. He was several times
chosen speaker pro tenn Of the house.
He was reelected to the house in 1892
at the head of the ticket. receiving the
largect vote ever received by any can
didate from Newberry up to that time.
He took high rank as parliament
tartan from the beginning of his leg
islative career, and his ability in this
line was recognized during his SER
vice in both branches of the general
assembly. by his selection as speaker
pro tenn Of the house and president
pro TEN OF the senate.
In 1898 during the Spanish-Ameri-
can War, he was military secretary
to Governor Ellcrbe. He was returned
to the house that year, when he was
again elected at the head Of the ticket,
and served as chairman of the conf
mittee on military and was ex-officio
a member Of the Board of Visitors Of
the Military Academy Of South Caro-
lima.
In 1000 and in 1902 he was defeated
as. candidate for lieutenant COVER
nor. In 1904 he was elected to. the
state senate from the county Of New
berry by a large majority. During his
service in the senate he was consid-
cred by all, both friends and oppo-
nents, as the leader Of that body, and
his ability as a parl.amentarian was
recognized by his associates In his
election as president pro tenn. The
parliamentary fights which he led
there will long be remembered by
those conversant with the political
history of this state.
In 1906 he WAS q candidate for gov
ernor, and ran third among many can
didates In 1908 he opposed Governor.
Ansel for reelection, and thousands
of people In this state believed then
and believe now that he would have
defeated Governor Ansel had 1t not
been for the fearful August floods OF
that year, which greatly reduced the
vote. In 1910 he was elected COVER
nor, making the second race with the,
prohibition leader, Hon. @. G. Faether-
stone. In 1912. in one of the hardest
fought political battles In the history
Of any state in the Union, and In the
face G6f 01ie of The bitterest fights ever
waged against any man In politics, he
defeated Former Chief JusticoS Jones
for governor, and received an en-
dorsement OF his administration by be-
ing reelected.
Governor BIease has record OF
life long devotion to the Democratic
party, and of service to tho party. He
has served as chairman of the city
democracy OF Newberry.. as chairman
OF. the county democratic executive
committee. Since he first entered pol
itic, except one time wiren he declined 4
to allow his nnme to be used as q cam
lidnte. he hao represented Newberry
county in every state democratic con-
ventlon.. He was presidential electors
on the Bryan ticket both In 1886 and (
in 1900.
One of the most interesting incl
dwents In Governor Blease'a political
career was his election rs mayor fof
the city of eNewberry. After his de-
feat 6y Governor Ansei In 1903, Mr.