The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1916-06-28

lIeIc we're ccnOcS OF the past, old,
familiar sounds which two or four
years ago were as frequent as could
be. But the echoes caused laughter,
while the originals. Of former years
caused anger. During the address of
MI. Blease, one now and then heard
such remarks as Tell 'em about it
guvnor,' or That's talllin' to EN-. ;"
Each time laughter followed the re-
marks from the crowd. The old time
bitter fire Of some candidates was
wanting, and the old time ire of the
crowd. most happily was conspicu-
Gus absentee.
Meeting in Detail.
John e. Swearingen, unopposed for
reelection as State superintendent OF
education, started the meeting with
an address on education. \ telegram
was read from Adj Gen. Moore en-
pressing regret that he could not be
present, and explaining that the
pressing military duties rendered it
impossible for him to attend.
Next came the candidates for lieu
tenant governor. Andrew J. Bcthca,
seeking recollection, stressed law en-
f0rccment. education, a warehouse
system divorscd from politics, and
spoke in beautiflc nomenclature of
President Wilson. The speaker said
the office he holds is an important
one, and should not be bclittlcd. DR..
e. G. l.. Adams, opponent of Mr..
Bethea, characterized the incumbent
as a coat tail swinger of Henry Ford
and w. j. Bryan. He played upon
the trip Of Mr.. Bethca to Europe, as
a members Of the getting the boys
out of the trenches by Christmas par
ty.
George w. Wightman. OF Saluda,
was. the first speaker for the position
of secretary of State. He recalled his
career In the State senate; said his
announcement resulted in Secretary
of State McCowns decision not to ask
for reelection, and that the latter had
told his chief clerk, Mr.. Dove, to get
into the race. w. Banks Dove, the
other candidate for this position, said
he knew nothing of Mr.. McCown's
reasons for declining to run, that the
only thing the people wanted to know
was whether he was competent to
fill the office. and that by virtue of
his experience, lie was competent.
He has been in the Office as chief
clerk for eight years.
ID. w. McLaurin, for State treasur-
er, attacked the incumbent, Mr. Car
ter for sending his daughters to Win
thrOp on free tuition and for his vote
in the sinking fund matter, when the
State bond debt was refunded. S. II.
Carter, asking reelection. said his
opponent has never recovered from
the tremendous defeat of four years
ago. He explained his vote in the
sinking fund matter, as a favorable
business proposition for the State, and
In Vigorous terms replied to his OPP
ponents remarks.
Albert S. Fant, candidate for rail
road commissioner. asked for rc-clcc-
ton on a number of grounds, one Of
which Is that there is no elective
State officer from the Piedmont sec
ton of the State. G. McDufiic Hamp-
ton, Of Columbia, seeking reelection;
w, H. Kelly, Of Spartanburg; w. d.
IhrOwcr of Chesterfield and Canslcr
OF Tirzar presented their claims for
the Office Of railroad commissioner.
At one o'clock the candidates for
governor began to speak, each having
twenty-five minutes.
Z. a. Cooper, first speaker, said he
was running because he had a right
to run, because it Is tho privilege of
any citizen, however humble, to aspire
for any office, however high. He op-
posed free scholarships and tuition
to state schools. as being unwise in
theory and practice. TIc does not be-
lieve student should accept a gift
fro mthe State, hut that what Is now
q gift should be in the nature Of a
loan. and the student pay 1t back
after entering upon the life for which
the education has prepared him. He
advocated an extension of the high
school system, as ninety per cent Of
the school attendants get their only
education at the school nearest home
State schools. said he. should not be
given advantage over denominational
schools. He opposed the plan where
by the tax payers pay for the educa-
tion Of boys and girls whose parents
could well afford to pay the price OF
tuition. He expressed the importance
of agricultural training, said Clemson
College could. and desired to be of
greater benefit to the State than any
other institution Of learning in 1t, be-
cause Clemson is an agricultural
school, and because our whole
fabric Of life Is based upon agricul-
ture. Mr.. Cooper described the legal
machinery whici, sends one man to
the chain gang. because he has no
money with which to pay fine and
buy his liberty while enabling a
more fortunate neighbor to buy MIN
self free, and thus cheat the law.
John Madison DesChamps, "the
only man in the race who has not
been defeated for governor" elected
much laughter during his very pleas
Ing after-dinner sort Of addresa