The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1918-08-01
STATE CANDIDATES SPEAK
TO LARGE CROWDS HERE

Wednesday was great day in
Chesterfield. It was the day set
aside by the State Democratic party
for the candidates to present their
claims and qualifications to the voters
OF Chesterfield county. Add to that
the announcement that Ex-Governor
Cole L.. Blease had advertised that
he would be on hand to hold a
speaking of his own and the combina-
ton to draw a crowd was here. And
the crowd was here. -.
The meeting was called to order by
Nj. j. Hough, Esq, chairman Of the
county executive committee, in the
COURTHOUSE auditorium, but the room
was soon found to be too crowded and
many could not enter, SO the meeting
was adjourned to the Courthouse
yard.
The candidates for railroad COM
missioner were first to be heard. Mr..
A. r. Richardson, of Columbia, was
the first speaker. Mr.. Richardson de-
clared that there were no issues in
his campaign but choice of men,
that it was the privilege Of the voters
to decide between them. He said
that he was running on his own rec
ord and not on the demerits Of his
opponents. He pointed to his rec
ord as game warden for the State as
evidence of his executive ability.
Mr.. d. L. Smith spoke next and re-
ferred to his record in the legislature,
calling special attention to his efforts
on behalf of educational matters. Was
proud of the fact that he has two sons
now in service both of whom are un-
der FL years of age.
The third speaker was Mr.. J. \.
Vowel, of Columbia. He announced
himself as full-blooded American, 1OO
per cent: loyal to the Democratic
party and whole-hearted supporter
of Woodrow Wilson and McAdoo. He
claimed to be especially fitted for the
Office of Railroad commissioner be-
cause of his thorough knowledge of
railroad matters from the ground up.
He capable, he said of supervising the
bridges and inspecting roads and roll
ing stock and could prevent wrecks
by his knowledge Of these technica!
matters. Safety first should be you,
motto, he said, and he would be able
to put that motto into effect. He al
30 had ideas for the greater comfort
of the travelling public. He claimed
to be the only laboring man among
the candidates for that position.
H. H. Arnold and j. r. McLaurir
were not present at the time but came
program.
Lieutenant Governor
The next speakers were for Lieu.
tenant Governor.
Mr.. Octavious Cohen, from Monck's
Corner, was not present and letter
from him was read by the County
Chairman.
Mr.. ]. T. Lilies, of Orangeburg, was
introduced. He was introduced by
Mr.. j. Clifton Rivers, who spoke Of
him as the former speaker Of the
House. Mr.. Lilies said that as speak
er he was always fair to all factions,
that he never wore any mans collar
He said he had never supported
Blease. He advised his voters that
If they were going to vote for Blease
they should vote for Wightman
for Lieutenant Governor as he was
the flankest and rankest Bleasite he
knew Of. Mr.. Lilies said he had been
Of service to South Carolina. Said
he had worked hard for the State
Cotton Warehouse, for the elimina-
tion of cattle tick from the State and
he believed we now have better
schools as result of his work. II
closing he pleaded with his hearers
not to vote for any man for any
Office whose loyalty is now in ques-
tion. He said if the loyalty of any
candidate is now in question it is his
own fault and voters should not take
any chances.
Mr.. G. w. Wightman, of Batesburg,
was also late and spoke at the close
Of the meeting.
State Superintendent Of Educa. .iop
The candidates for the Office Of
State superintendent of education
were then introduced.
Mr.. Victor E. Rector, of Darling
ton, spoke first. Mr.. Rector came on
the platform talking and lost very
= few seconds while there. He said 1.
Ms now time we were beginning to get
ready to do things we are going to
syhave to do. A very large part Of our
boys grow up to become farmers and
their education should be adjusted to
their needs as prospective farmers.
Girls should be taught In school the
things they are going to have to do