Lexington dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1917-1919, 1918-05-29
BLEASE WILL MAKE
OWN SPEAKING TOUR
CHARLESTON AMERICAN


ial race, misled to vicarious sacrifice
even as was Mr.. Cooper in the guber-
material campaigns of 1914 and 1916:
the effort Of course, was directed to-
wards edging him into a second race
with Mr.. Blease, and ousting Mr.. Till
man. The whole plan was to make
possible second race. For years
past that has been the plan of the
anti-reform crowd-to use buffer in
a first race, to try to get him in a
second race, and then carry off the
spoils.
Mr.. Tillman however has said that
he does not expect to make the coun-
ty-to-county canvass, and in state
ment authorized today. Mr. Blease
says he is not going around the state
to draw crowds for Mr.. Lever, under
the Lever itinery," which has been
arranged by the subcommittee of the
state executive committee, but that
he is going to conduct his campaign
in his own way, even as Mr.. Tillman
is going to do. He is going to some
of the meetings of course where he
deems it advisable to go-but he de-
clines to 60 on circus arranged for
the benefit of Mr.. Lever.He declines
to be made a clown, as drawing card
for Mr.. Lever, at the behest of the
state committee
In the light of this statement and
of the campaign schedule arranged in
an effort to try to get Mr.. Lever in
second race, Mr.. Blease today author
lied this statement.
II have always favored the plan of
the county-to-county campaign. 1t is
the only way whereby the stranger,
or new man in politics, can properly
present himself and his cause to the
people of his state. 1t is the only
way that the people have of meeting
face to face the various candidates,
and judging for themselves as to the
character of the men who are asking
their suffrage, and as the issues upon
which these men base their claims
to serve the people in the public ca
no c;tioc '11yhi ich thav cock
"However, in the campaigns of
1912, 1914 and f6; 1 was used by
my enemies-at least, I allowed my
self to be so used-for the purpose
of drawing the crowds for those who
were opposing me in my ambition to
protect the people of South Carolina
They brought people to the meetings
for no other purpose to abuse and
villify me. One of these was aided the
other day by the state convention:
when it elected him president. My
friends are we'll aware of these facts,
and must be cognizant of the scheme.
1t was for this reason that some days
ago, in talking to newspaper men here
I stated my opinion of this pre-arran-
ged scheme. I am still of that same
opinion. I propose to address every
man in South Carolina who wants to
hear me speak, and give him the op-
portunity not only to hear me, but to
ask me any question which he desires
to ask in reference to any matter per
tinent to the issues of the campaign.
But with Senator Tilman remaining
in Washington, refusing to come upon
the stump, or to meet me face to face
before the people of this state, don't
propose to be used as a drawing card
for those who have absolutely no
chance in the senatorial race-I will
not say no chance to get into second
race, because from all the information
I have, there will be no second race,
and I am satisfied that l will in the
first race receive a clear majority of
the votes of all the white voters of
South Carolina.
II am, however, going to demand
and insist upon my friends going to
the polls and seeing that the votes are
counted, and if any set of managers
declines or refuses to allow my frien-
ds to stand and see the votes called
out, and to see them properly checked
and tailed, l expect my friends to
have. the manhood to take charge of
the box and count the votes themselv
es, if it be necessary in order to pre-
vent stealing.
eff the people of South Carolina
have reached the point that they can
be robbed this year again, as they
were in 1916, I am very much decelv-