The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1915-12-03

Former Governor Coleman Living
ston please was born At years ago on
his fathers farm, known as toe Blease,
or Mendenhall place, four miles west
of Newberry court house. When IA
years OF age he was awarded silver
cup at the New3erry colnty fair for
being the best boy rider at the fair.
He attended Newberry college, finish
ing the junior class. In his junior
year, the contest for the gold oratorl-
cal medal in which he participated
N IS decided in favor Of another by
the committee by a majority Of one,
and the citizens OF Newberry were SO
Ind. gnaj. over the result that they
made up money b. private subscrip-
ton and use esrnted beaItitu. gold
watch chain, which he now wears, to
Mr.. 6iease This is the only instance
recalled in the history Of the colleges
of this state where an audience has
registered its protest in this manner
judges in college contest,
"ln 1890 he was elected to the house
Of representatives By ver5 fattering
vote. He was elected by the committee
as chairman OF the committee on priv
ileges and elections Of the house, and
as such served as member Of the state
board Of convassers for several ses-
sions. Fe was Sc. eral times CHOSEN
speaker p-o ten. OF the house. He was
re elected to the house in 1892, at the
head of the ticket, receiving the larg-
est vote ever received by any candidate
from NeWberry county up to that time.
"He took high rank as parliament
tartan from the beginning of his legis-
lative career, and mis- ability in this
lire was recognized during his service
in both branches of the general assem-
bly,, by his selection as speaker pro
tenn Of the house and president pro
tenn. Of the senate.
"In 1898 ne was returned to the
house, when he was again elected at
the head Of the ticket, and he served
as chairman Of the committee on mill
tary, and was eX-oficio member Of
the board OF visitors Of the Military
Academy of South Carolina.
"In 1904 he was elected to the state
senate from the county Of Newberry,
by large majority. During his sery-
ice in the senate he was considered by
all, both friends and opponents, as the
leader Of that body, and his ability as
a parliamentarian was recognized by
his associates in his election as presi
dent pro tem The parliamentary
fights which he led there will be long
remembered b. those conversant with
the political history of this state.
"In 1910 ne was elected governor.
In 1912. in one Of the hardest fought
political battles in the history of any
state in the union, and in the face of
one of the bitterest fights ever waged
against any man in, politics, he de-
feated former Chief Justice Jones for
governor and received an Endorsement
of his administration by being re-
elected.
"Gcvernnr BJease has record of life
long devotion to the Democratic party,
and of service to the party. He has
served as chairman of the city Demcc-
racy of Newberry, as chairman OF the
county Democratic executive commit
tee, and was for Is years member
of the state Democratic committee. He
has represented Newberry county in
many state Democratic conventions.
He was presidential elector on the
Democratic ticket, both in 1896 and IN
1860.
Zone of the most interesting Incl
dents in Governor Blease's political
career was his election as mayor OF
the city of Newberry.
"In addition to the political Offices
which he has held, Governor Blease
has taken high rank in the secret or
ders of the state. He has served as
grand Master of the Odd Fellows, hav-
ing the honor of presiding as grand
master at the second grand lodge NEE
ing which he ever attended. At that
meeting he was chosen grand repre-
sentative to the grand lodge OF the
United States, in which capacity ne
served for two years, declining re-
election. He is still a member Of
the Odd Fellows, and has done more,
probably, than any other man IN the
order to put the Odd Fellows orphan
home on solid foundation.
"He has served as great saehem OF
tie Improved Order OF Red Men, and