The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-07
CANDIDATES At B|SHoPY|LLE.
FIFTEEN HUNDRED PRESENT AY
CAMPAIGN MEETING.
Candidates Discuss War and Taxation
Bringing Out No New Issues fos
Campaign.

Bishopville, Aug 3.-The 31st meet
ing of the State campaign, held here.
today was attended by one ef the
largest audiences of the itinerary
I There were fully 1900 Lee County
voters present. They were thought.
ful and considerate and fairly liberal.
with their applause. The campaign
seems to be wearing on the candi-s
dates, for few Of them showed much
spirit in their speeches, which deviat-s
ed little from the ordinary.
Robert A. Cooper was the first
gubernatorial speaker. He reiterated
his assertion that the war will bethe:
over -shadowing, overpowering issue
until victory is wrested from the.
Huns He denied the implication be-
ing circulated that he is in favor of
higher taxes; he advocates the low
est taxes consistent with good and
efficient government. But candor and
truth, he stated, compelled him to say
that he did not see how the revenue
bill was to be decreased for the next
few years. He reasserted his advo-
cacy of a broader educational system
and defended his loan plan for State
colleges ss
John Madison DesChamps, the sec
! ond speaker, twitted his opponents on
their taxation positions, and promissi
! ed, if elected-which he claimed he
would be-to see that the taxes are:
materially increased.
John T. Duncan, who followed.
again lambasted the system" Cole.
L. Blease Manning, Christie Benet,
and his opponents in the governors
race He stated that there was a
great graft" game being worked at
Camp Jackson and that millions OF
dollars can be saved TO the govern
ment if the people of the State will
assist him in breaking UP the maraud-
ing there.
John G. Richards, the fourth cam,
didate for governor to speak, was
indignant that any candidate could.
say that the war is an issue when 100
per cent of the people of South Caro-.
lima are loyal. He denied any such
assertion. He made his usual re-
marks on his ability to reduce the
taxes, and said that the State Board
Of Charities and Correction is a use
less fifth wheel of government" and
promised to kick out of office the
State tax commission, if elected. He.
thought that the $4,000 law enforce
ment fund was a direct slap at the
sheriffs and other statutory and con-
stitutionaI officers of the State, and
should, he be the nexs governN OF
South Carolina he will veto it If ethes
General Assembly dares to appro-
pirate it. He stated that he was too
we'll known in the State for the peo-5
pie to take notice of dirty insinua-
Lieut. Gov. Andrew J. Bethea, the
concluding speaker, gave a shoMl his
tory of his political life and stated
that he is an absolutely untrarnmeled
and Independent candidate for gov
ernor. He criticised the Blea8A
speeches at Pomaria and Filbert
told how he attempted to get ~,
Richards to either endorse or repudi-
ate them at Walhalla and at Green
vile. The reform" candidate for
governor, he said, had side-stepped,
evaded and had not answered yet: Mr..
Bethea considered his question a legi-
innate one, stating that it was a part
Of the record and he had nothing
personal against Richards.
Il have an announcement to make.
the speaker concluded. Gas I left Dar-
lington yesterday gentleman gave
me a circular signed by The Demo-
Gratis OF Darlington County 'advertis-
ing q meeting to be held at Oats,
Darlington county, on Tuesday. Aug
ust 6, which is to be addressed by
Cole l.. Blease. This gentleman told
me that the other Democrats of Dar-
lington county are trying to get Bill
Pollock to speak at that meeting also
These Democrats invite the loyal and
unterriiied Democracy of Lee county
to attend the Oats meeting and hear
Pollock skin Blease'
The next meeting of the State party
will be held at Sumter, Tuesday,
August S.