Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-06-21
SENATORIAL cAMPAIGNERS

The senatorial campaign meeting
In Yorkville yesterday was the larg-
est most interesting and best attended
~teS yet been held. 1t was n kind
~ double barrcled affair, 5aftly un-
der the authority of the state and
county Democratic executive COM
mittee, and partly free -for-all, under
no especial authority.
The speakers were Hon. III. j..
Rice of Anderson. Hon. y. Il. Dial Of
laurcns and former Governor Cole j..
Blcasc. Tie two first spoke under the
auspices OF the regular Democratic
authority. The latter was introduced
by regular authority, but made ms
sIs.cch mt an adjourned meeting un-
der his own authority.
| Governor 5lcasc was easily the
mincipal feature of the meeting. Most
of the people were there for the pur-
pose of hearing what he had to say,
and with but little interest in any
thing else. All, however, gave close
| and respectful attention tn every
lbody. T:crc ,..,3 10 applause Tor
Ianybody but Blcase and he got n
plenty.
The meeting was called to order by
John 4. Marion, county chairman, al
In o'clock and WAS opened with
prayer by Rev. j. +. Mahalfey. After
the prayer, the chairman introduced
Mir. II. r. Ri,e of Anderson. who was
followed by Mir. n. Il. Dial of L.aurcns
IGoycrnor BlcIse appeared in the sight
of the chairr an in an ante room Just
| MS MIR. Dial commenced his speech.
land MIR. MAJ ion introduced him, and
The audience broke out In the first ap,
plausc of the morning.
The aggregate attendance OF the
meeting was pretty close to three
hundred people. They were repre-
sentative OF all sections of the county
and of all shades OF political senti-
mrnt and aifiliation. There were
probably $50 people in the room when
the meeting was called to order and
these had swcllcd to about three
hundred people when Mr.. Blsasc said
he did not propose to speak under
the hammer of partisan Democratic
executive committee. some twenty
five or thirty people left the room:
but before he concluded the audience
had swelled to the largest proportions
of the day.
| There were in the audience num-
tbcr OF people who were opposed to
Mr.. Blease; but large majority OF
those present were undoubtedly
friends OF the former governor. They
applaudcd him vigorously and gave
their full approval TO all he had to
say. The only dissent was raised by
Rev. j. f. Mahaffey, who, at the con-
| cluson of Mr.. Blease's speech. made
n brief argument to show that no man
has been justified in being opposed to
II ta rttn
| The proceedings were opened by
the reading OF n letter from Senator
Tillman by the chairman. In his let
ter. the senator excused himself from
attendance on the campaign meetings
lbecause Of the pressing Importance
of his duties in Washington. and also
he emphasized the value Of his chair
lmanship of the committee on naval
affairs to the people OF the state. He
claimed that he was not actuatcd by
personal ambition or financial gain;
hut by duty alone. He has grown old
I'm the service, he said. and Is still
giving the best there is In him to the
state. His health. however. he claims,
is better than II has been for years.
He said he expected to be abused and
lied on; but he was accustomed to
that and the people are familiar with
the truth. He said that il Governor
please has been correctly quoted he
Is out Of sympathy with the president:
lbut If the people want t. elect Blease.
they have a right to do 80. and he will
lbow to their will.
Mr.. II. F. Rice of An6 erson, was the
frst speaker. He took UP his time
reading q sketch of his life and press
ing his claims to election on certain
newspaper articles he had written in
defense Of the common schools. He ex-
planned that although he had been
horn in another state and had lived In
south Carolina only since 1885. this
was no reason why he should not be
elected. The audience gave respectful
attention to the reading Of Mr.. Rice's
naper; but showed no sign Of interest
lin the contents.
Mr.. N. b. Dial was the next speak
err He expressed pleasure In again
meeting the voters of York county and
smoke at length in advocacy OF his
Iciaims for election to the United
States senate. Referring to Tillmans
letter of regret at inability to be pres
Eent. he said that Tillman did not want
IN be present He intimated that
Tfl,man would not be present even II
he could be. He also read Tillmans
ldeclaration in congress that he would
; na,,ar aRain be q candidate for the