The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-07-29

Day after day he bitterly denounces
the lawlessness in the state and con-
dennis the indiscriminate granting OF
pardons. He assails the arts and wiles
of crafty politicians, who promise re
, lief to the poor man and who are the
last to bring relief or tighten the
burden Of the poor man." and each
day he delivers a PHILIPPE against the
blatant demagogue."
"Wholesale, illconsidered pardons,"
Mr.. Smith says, "are the greatest
curse to the state because they tend
to tea rdown the judiciary, to do away
with a wholesome fear of punishment
and to turn the minds Of people
against the decisions Of the juries."
In the race for lieutenant governor
among the quartette Of candidates,
Andrew J. Bethea of Richland county,
William M. Hamer of Dillon county,
James A. Hunter of Bamberg and B.
Frank Kelley of Lee county, there
has been a marked tendency OF late
Of heated controversy on the public
life of fellow candidates.
Mr.. Bethea claims that the four
years as private secretary to Governor
Ansel of South Carolina and his pres.
ent position as code commissioner
make him familiar with the various
departments and the parliamentary
rules Of state government. Er. Bethea
stands for the education of the peo-
pie, for law and order and for social
democracy. He has been a farmer,
school teacher, state official, lawyer
and business man.
Mr.. Hamer promises an efficient and
.usiness-like administration, law and
order and education" and anything
else that will give us better condi-
tons in South Carolina than we have
today"
Mr.. Hunter holds up for inspection
his record in the house of representa-
tives from Bamberg for the last two
terms. He Is in favor Of a primary,
in which every white man could vote
and vote only once-the purpose of
the new primary rules. He advocates
the promotion Of education and agri,
culture, liberal support for rural
schools, the enforcement f law and
biennial sessions of. the legislature.
Mr.. Hunter looks on the press as did
Thomas Jefferson.
Nj. Kelley tells of his election as a
member of the house and later as a
member Of the state senate from Lee
county. He declares that South Caro-
lima is now spending too much money
for higher education. He has taken
his opponent, Mr.. Hunter, to task for
his vote on questions that came up in
the general assembly, all Of which
Mr.. Hunter has answered, preferring
counter charges, to which MI. Kelley
has not been given a chance to reply
either because of absence or the ro-
tation Of speeches.
The race between the two candi-
dates for adjutant general, w. W.
Moore of Barnwell, incumbent, and
M. C. Willis of York county, fared up
during last week on account Of at
tacks and counter attacks, but has
now settled down to a sober disuc'
sion Of attack and defense Of the pres
ent administration OF Gen. Moore.
Gen. Moore upholds that the Ma
tional Guard Is in better condition
than 1t has been for 20 years, while
Capt. Willis charges that % Of the
companies have been declared below
the standard by officials. Items Of
account in the report Of Gen. Moore
are criticised and defended. Charges
Of the loss Of equipment have been
preferred by Capt. Willis and Gen.
Moore answers that subordinates are
under bond and responsible for any
shortage that may occur. Capt. Willis
declares that the loss of the August
encampment is chargeable to Gen.
Moore, who states that this matter
was in the hands Of the governor.
The candidates for attorney general
are A.. G.. Brice Of Chester and Thorn.
as H. Peoples Of Barnwell, incumbent.
Mr.. Brice oriticises his opponet for
'inef1ciency and inactivity" IN office,
with more especial reference to the
attitude OF Mr.. Peoples in the disbar.
ment proceedings against G. P. Sims
Of Spartanburg before the supreme
court. For the Office Of attorney gen.
eralship Mr.. Brice says that it is mere
ly a question Of deciding on a man
who can discharge the duties Of the
office most efficiently and with the
greatest courage.
Mr.. Peoples says that his record
during his two years as attorney gen.
eral Is an open book. He claims that
there have been a greater percentage
Of convictions for crimes during the
past four years than any time pre-
vious. He declares that he has tried
to conduct his Office economically. He
asks for reelection, also, on the
grounds that he has held the Office but
one term.
There are six candidates for rail.
road commissioner, as follows: James
Cansler Of York County, George w
Fairey Of Calhoun county, c. D. Fort
ner Of Spartanburg, Frank w. Shea
ley Of Lexington county, John H.
Wharton of Daurens and w. I. Wither
spoon Of York county.
The candidates for comptroller gen
l.