The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-08-28

candidate for governor CT South Car
olina IN the primaries Of 1918. Tn;s
announcement is positive, and MAKE
4 ROW IN o;da: chat my party may
begin to look around for some one -
lead them in the gubernatorial hgh;.
If l can be Of service to them as
candidate for some other position, -
if they need my services upon the
stump without my being candidate
for any position, shall serve them
to the best of my ability and with az
my power and strength. but I repeat
am not and will not be candidate
for governor
Major Richards Statement
Mai. John G. Richards, chairman OF
the South Carolina railroad commits
sion. who led the fight of the Reform
party in the gubernatorial race IN
1914, was shown the statement by for
mer Governor Blease today and asked
whether or not he would be- candi-
date for governor next summer. Ma
jor Richards is regarded by the Re-
form party as one of its leaders. and
hundreds of them have urged him %
lead them in the next guberuatorial
race, taking the position that with
Mr.. Blease as a candidate for the
United States senate. and Major Rich
: ards leading the forces in the CUB
ernatorial fight, that the issues would
be presented to the people as perhaps
no other two men could present them,
and that South Carolina would be re-
lieved of government in the inter-
est of the classes, and that the people
would come into their own. Major
Richards occnnies an enviable posi-
tion in the politics of this state. He
was appointed railroad commissioner
by former Governor Ansel. He was
! two years later elected to the posi-
ton in the face of strong opposition
and has served continuously since
with ability and imrartiality. In the
/ campaign of 1914 he was the popular
leader Of the masses so far jas the
gubernatorial campaign was concern
ed, Tut was defeated by a combination
Of circumstances which the people of
South Carolina now recognize without
again being called to their attention.
He is not a candidate, self-annaunce0
but in view Of the general demand
coming from members Of the Reform
! party, that he make the race, he was
asked the direct question by your
correspondent today if he was a can
didate for governor In reply he
said:
Il appreciate your showing to me
the interview Of Former Governor
Blease. had talked with him be-
fore, and understood his position, and
it is no special news to me. Person
ally, l have no announcement to
| make as to what 1 shall do in the pri-
mary next summer. II the members
of the Reform party of this state, az
/ ter careful consideration, conclude
! that it is their desire for me to De-
come their candidate for governor,
shall abide by their wishes, and 20
into the race with all my power and
might. OF course I would consider It
an honor to be selected by them TO
lead the fight for the masses OF the
people of this state for what they an1
I believe to be TO rtheir best interests,
and for the welfare Of our interests,
and for the welfare of our common
wealth, in the interest Of a government
in this state of the people, and not OF
a small circle chosen from among the
! classes"
Hon. Peoples Statement
Attorney General Thomas H. Pee.
pies today positively announced his
I candidacy for governor in the demo-
cratic primary of 1918, in response to
direct question as to whether or
not he would make the race. Among
the planks in his platform will be a
constitution amendment to provide
for a recall of state officials and bien-
NAL sessions of the general assembly.
State officials can now only be remoy-
ed by impeachment proceedings, and
with biennial sessions it is the opinion
of Mr.. Peoples that the two years in
tervening between legislative sfttings
would be too long a period for state
officials not to be- responsible to any
one with control over them for their
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