The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-08-19
CANDIDATES AT BENNEISuLLE'|
ANGER FROM PREVIOUS DAYS
MEETING ABIDES.
Few Unusually Spirited Passages
Marked State Campaign Meeting.

Bennettsville. Aug. 16.-Develop-
ments begun by State campaigners in
BishOpville yesterday hung over
through today's meeting, injecting an
occasional point at variance with the
conventional performance. Albert S.
Fant reminded the Marlboro county
audience of his refusal in Bishopville
yesterday to allow the charge to go
abroad that he was. Bleaseite. He
also challenged G. McDuffie Hampton
and w. H. Kelly, opposing candidates,
who had already spoken, to come into
the open. Mr.. Hamptons answer to
the challenge was that he was not
present yesterday when he was placed
In the Blease column. you are here
now and I'll give you minute of my
time to declare yourself, whether
you're Bleaseite or not" Mr.. Hamp-
ton refused the offer.
DIR. Kelly tried to shout above the
din that he was "a Bleaseite and don't
care who knows it," but this was lost
in the tumult of applause for Mr..
FAINT.
Mr. Blease, the last speaker today,
disclaimed any purpose on his part to
draw factiOnal lines despite his state
ment yesterday that there was one
man in the race running with the hare
and the hounds, whom he expected
to draw out"
S. T. Carter and d. w. McLaurin.
rival candidates for State treasurer.
nearly came to blows, Mr. -McLaurin
denouncing Mr.. Carter as AN Internal
liar and coward" Only the timely
interference of the chairman of the
meeting and others on the stage pre-
vented the passage of blows. Mr..
Carter spoke first and made reference
to the numerous charges which his
opponent would bring, relative to his
owning an automobile, getting a SAL
ary as State treasurer and being an
officer In trust company, and Of his
getting scholarship aid for his daugh .
ter at Winthrop college.
Yet he will fail to tell you that
he also owns an automobile and that
the State has contributed $50 a month
for a number of years to the support
Of his family"
1T was this latter portion of Mr..
Carter's statement to which Mr.. Nc
Laurin took exception, and which he
said he had papers in his pocket to
disprove. Y ~
The asylum isue was only lightly
touched upon by Mr.. Blease TODAY.
MR. Bleiiae commented today on the
absence of the Smith cotton blooms
Of two years ago. Where are they ?"
he repeatedly asked, urging all who
got l5 cents for their cotton to hold
up their hands. Mr.. Blease paid a
| glowing tribute to the statesmanship
of John l.. McLaurin, which failed to
elicit any applause. Lawlessness the
eaker'attributed to Gov. Manning's
communications to life sentence of two
negroes sentenced to be hanged. 9th
er negroes, he charged. are encour-
aged to shoot down white men and
assault white women. Other candi-
dates for governor made their usual
speeches.
If he isn't elected, Mr.. Cooper said.
he will not sulk in his tent. Educa.
tional development is the big issue in
this campaign, and he doesn't think
any people could be prosperous and
happy unless the laws were enforced.
Gov. Manning reviewed his efforts
to compel observance of the liouor
laws particularly in Charleston. and
reminded his audience of the two rec.
ord seizures OF carload shipments dur
ing the last few days. 1.-THE blind
tigers in Charleston" he said, "are
learning by sad experience that there
is law in this State by which thew
are governed as are the people of
other sections.
Mr.. DesChamps made his usua,
nigh toned appeal for coordination of
interests and efforts. for the develop
ment of the people educationally and
OF the natural resources of the State.
+. c. l.. Adams, candidate for lien.
tenant governor, said the rumor was
abroad that he had struck a man
from behind with a pair of knucks
This he branded as false.
The meeting today was largely at.
tended, there being approximately l.
600 people present