The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1915-10-12
MILITIA UNDER ARMS IN
THE CITY BY THE SEA
Guardsmen Prepared to Prevent
Trouble if Necessity Arises
in Mayoralty Election.
FIGHT HOTLY CONTESTED
Governor Manning's Order Placing
Militia at Disposal of Sheriff
Martin Causes Sensation.

Charleston Special to The State
Oct. 11.-Three hundred men and
officers of the National Guard and
the naval militia are under arms to-
night in their armories as a silent
reserve force to insure law and or
der tomorrow when the municipal
election is held. Tonight Charleston
was quiet. The closing of the dis
pensaries caused decrease of about
20 per cent in the normal election
time drunkenness. One man was re.
ported as having been beaten up by
an election crowd.
Tonight at 8 o'clock four com
panies of the National Guard and
three divisions of the naval militia
gathered at their armories upon in
structions from Governor Manning
w. W. Moore. adjutant general. ar
rived in Charleston at 9:45 O'Clock
tonight and went Immediately to his
motel, where he held conference
with the officers of the Guard. ]. Ell
more Martin. sheriff, and Josepb
Black, chairman Of the CITY Demo
cratic executive committee. General
Moore told Sheriff Martin that he
would hold himself subject to his
orders
Sherin Martin announced tonight
that he had sworn in about SO den
uties and that others would be Sc
cured early tomorrow morning
These deputies will augment the re-
serve force.
1t was learned tonight that many
extra policemen have been sworn in
by the city administration.
Governor Manning, it was explain
ed, ordered out the militia and au-
thorized the extra deputies for the
sole purpose of securing peaceful
and orderly election If the Charles
ton police maintain order. then the
militia will not be called upon by
Chairman Black or Sheriff Martin.
No deputies will be placed at the
polls, unless the police fail to keep
order
Chairman Black made it plain to-
night that his purpose was to have
order so that every man might vote,
regardless of faction. Sheriff Martin
said tonight that it was his purpose
to use every means to prevent n
clash between the Charleston police
and the special officers.
The order of Governor Manning
placing the militia at the disposal of
Sheriff Martin caused sensation in
Charleston. The order rivaled in in
terest the forthcoming election
Rumors were flying about tonight.
The fact that the Guardsmen are un-
der arms has had a quieting effect.
The ward leaders were busy unit,
midnight marshaling their forces Gor
tomorrow. The polls will open at 6
o'clock. 1t was said tonight that 500
men would vote in one of the upper
wards just after O'Clock.
John p. Grace and II. T. Hyde. can
didates for mayor, rested quietly to-
night. except for conferences with
their leaders. Practically every oub-
lie automobile in Charleston has been
secured to haul the voters to the
polls.
Adjutant General Moore, address
ing the officers Of the militia tonight.
cautioned them to remain calm and
to do their duty without considera-
ton for either faction.
"If order is preserved by the DO.
lice and the people are allowed TO
register their votes without interfer-
ence under the rules of the Demo
cratic party neither deputies nor
militia will be called on. Otherwise.
at the first instance where need is
apparent. application will be made 10
the sherif and the power appointed
viii be applied" said Chairman
Black tonight, discussing the attitucc
OF the city Democratic executive com
mittee He declared that an appeal
to Governor Manning for the TROOPS
and deputies had been made becauso
of "the threatened interference with
b free expression OF the peoples vii;
a: the polls"