The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-08-23

j. E. MCLAUGHLIN in Special to Will
mington Star. =.
WadesbOrO, N. c., Aug 19.-The
writer, together with some 200 An
sonians gratified a curiosity to see
and hear South Carolina candidates
for State Offices in their marathon. We
left here in relays. a part going for the
all day performance and others only
for the afternoon, arriving in Chester
field, where the big three-ring circus,
with numerous side shows, was stag
ed for the day. OF course the main
attraction was to get a first hand i'm
preston of the wonderful Cole L.
Blease and ascertain the cause of his
magnetism over South Carolina voters.
1t matters not who receives the
nomination for governor of Our neigh
bor commonwealth, every one who
heard Blease speak Thursday will
have to concede that he is a campaign
speaker, par excellent I doubt il
there is a superior in the United
Sta tes. He possesses the art of
knowing just how to present his side
Of an argument in its most forceful
effect. He is Shrewd and cunning. He
can take a mole hill and fashion it
into a mountain, giving just enough
truth to undermine the confidence of
the susceptible.
If the result Of the primary to be
held on August 29th should be judged
solely by the audience, exclusive of
those imported from other counties,
that assembled in Chesterfield, my
guess would be Manning by safe ma
jority over his four opponents.
The days entertainment began with
performances by the sideshows, not
omitting the usual South Carolina, fis-
ticuff, and to do justice to the citi-
sens of Chesterfield county. the one
| persopal encounter was prscipitated
by q citizen Of another county and was
genuinely regretted by the Chesterfield
people.
After consuming two and a half
hours with speeches by candidates for
secretary, treasurer, lieutenant gov
ernor. railroad commissioner, the main
entertainment Of the day began at 1
o'clock. j. M. DesChamps was the
first of the aspirants for the Office of
governor to be introduced. He is a
chautauqua speaker of parts. Next
came John T. Duncan, the chronic
candidate for State office, and then
the main attraction was staged.
Gov. r. I. Manning was introduced.
The audience gave him a round of ap-
plause that seemed to indicate that
three-fourths of the assembly endors-
ed his administration. His speech was
a rehearsal of the constructive work
accomplished during his administra-
ton. He dwelt especially upon the
improvements made in the State Hos
pital for Insane. his efforts to enforce
law and measures taken to establish
economy in the administration of the
States affairs. He gave a good ac-
count Of himself and the audience ap-
peared to appreciate the force of his
arguments. At the conclusion of his
speech, he was presented with a bou-
quet of flowers, which he most grace
fully accepted. stating these towers
are the emblems Of purity fittingly
symbolizing his efforts to purify the
administration OF his State.
Next in order was Ex-Governor Cole
L. Blease. He was calm in his de-
meanor, earnest in his appeal and
forcefully attacked the acts Of the
present governor.
Mr.. Blease's speech was devoid of
sensations. In his usual manner he
painted the acts Of the governor i'm
blacklist of black paint. Asserting that
prohibition did not prohibit and made
a challenge to pay the expenses of
any one who would go to any of the
leading Hotels of Charleston and Co.
lumbia il they would call for liquor or
beer and fail to get it, He did not
tell the audience that as a citizen of
South Carolina it was his duty to put
these facts before the proper authori-
ties If he had proof to convict. He ac-
cused the governor Of communting
death sentences of vile criminals to
life imprisonment and of playing ia
vorites In making appointments to
public office. The nearest thing bor-
dering on a sensation was his accusa-
ton that the governor was guilty Of "a
misdemeanOr when he paid the salary
Of superintendent Of the State asy-
lum, asserting that this act was con-
trary to the constitution of the State
and punishable by fine or imprison-