The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1914-07-23

Though the weather was threat
ening the majority Of the crowd
listened to all the candidates.
There was no disorder. Blease
red badges were much in evil
dence.
The large crowd was very
orderly and it is to the credit OF
the people of Pickens county
that considering its size this was
the best behaved audience
which has assembled to hear
the candidates since the cam
paien opened. The Sentinel is
proud of the general conduct OF
the people of our county at this
meeting, and we know better
than ever that Pickens county
is the best county in this great
state. The only regret we have
IS that every one of the audience
did not remain to hear the
speech of Mr.. Jennings, who,
undoubtedly made the be- t
speech of the day. While we
are not supporting this candi-
date for Office, fairness forces us
to hand it to him. !"
The candidates did not arrive
here at the time expected and it
was IT o'clock before the speak
ing commenced. In the mean
tine the county treasurer's Of
fee was appropriated as tempor-
ary headquarters of the support
ers of the governor.
The meeting was called to
order by County Chairman G.
F. Norris and Rev. D, w. Hiott
offered a prayer. w. P. Pollock
was the first speaker.
He opened bv saving that
he had never visited Pickens
before, he had served in the
legislature with some of the
hest citizens Of Pickens county
He declared that in presenting
the records of his opponents
he would not make personal
references; that he would not
insuls4anyone or stand for an
insult. He paid his respects to
Senator Smiths record, declar-
ing however, that the Senator
had not enough record to talk
long aboat, Mr.. Pollock reviewed
Gov. Blease's record. saying it
contained so many things the
Governor could not explain that
he (Blease) would not attempt
to do so. In connection with
the Governors pardon record the
speaker referred to the pardon
of Portland Ned" and read a
parody on 'Old King Cole.
which amused the crowd. He
referred to the appointment on
the Governors staff of j. Preston
Gibson. James Sottile and Ed
win Hirsch. calling them "a
sweet bunch" to be saluted by
militia of the state. He told the
people that they were being lined
un with "dagoes" when they
went for Blease.
Senator Smith. in replying to
the attack of Mr.. Pollock, waxed
somewhat humorous AND
brought several hearty laughs
from the crowd. He said Mr..
Pollock paid him the compli,
ment of saying he had talked
cotton in the senate. The sena-
tor caused some merriment at
the expense of his other pieces
of lawyers" opponents, declar-
ing he was going back to the
Senate despite the world, the
flesh. the devil and these law
yers.' He then launched into
his cotton speech, reviewing his
work in and out of the senate
for the farmers. He told of the
fight he had made against the
wall street gang and the bill
regulating the cotton exchange
which he wrote and which
passed.
Before the conclusion of Sen
ator Smiths speech it started to
rain and Charles Lyon, sheriff
of Abbeyille county. held an
umbrella over him. Senator
Smith was interrupted by a
gray haired farmer who pre-
sented him with a: mi ature
bale of cotton on behalf of the
farmers of Pickens county.
The Senator gracefully and SEN
timentaIy acknowledged t h e
gift. then resumed his speech,
at the conclusion of which he
was presented a wreath Of beau
tiful flowers.
G.. l.. Blease was the third
speaker and was given hearty
applause by his followers.
Governor Blease declared false
a report he said had been circu-
lated that he charged a man five
dollars for the PRIV lege of see
ing his wife who was in the In
sane Asylum. and called upon
the man who circulated the re-
port to say that he had done the
Governor an injustice. The
party doing so. The Governor
also denied another report which
he said had been circulated that
he had pardoned negro who
was serving thirty years for at
tempted criminal assault. He