The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-09-07
SMITH AND WARREN
ISSUE STATEMENTS
DIRECT COLLISION" BETWEEN
BLEASE AND SMITH CHARGED
Only Combination With People of
South Carolina, Says Incumbent.
Statement From Weston.

The State, 4th.
George Warren of Hampton, can
didate for the United States SEN
ate, yesterday issued statement
charging "direct collusion" be-
tween former Gov. Cole L. Blease
and Senator E. D. Smith to defeat
him.
Senator Smith, who will enter the
second primary with Warren as MS :
opponent, denies the charges con-
tanned in Warren's statement, de-
| nouncing as absolutely false" the
statement that he was in any combl-
nation in his race for the senate, sex
| cept with the people Of South Caro-
lina' to serve them to the best OF
his ability.
Mr.. Warren also referred to Dis
trict Attorney Francis H. Weston as
the "reputed campaign manager OF
Senator Smith," and charged that
Mr. Weston, "a long and bitter en-
envy of Governor Blease," was visi-
tor to the Office of Mr.. Blease. Mr..
| Weston in a statement made after
reading Mr.. Warren's charges says
that he is not and has not been the
| campaign manager of Senator Smith,
and also states that the implication
that he negotiated deal with Mr.
Blease" is absolutely false.
Mr.. Warren's statement follows:
81 charge direct coliusion be-
tween former Gov. Cole L. Blease
and Senator E. D. Smith to defeat
me for the United States senate.
ssThis alliance, made in utter des-
peration, was effected and put into
operation as an 18th hour effort to
overcome the sentiment which had
been created during the campaign in
my favor.
ssThis campaign I was determined
to make, and did make, without ap-
! peal to factionalism or factional
prejudices. To demonstrate this fact,
thousands of voters Of both OF the So
| called factions gave support to my
candidacy.
"Dated August 18, and signed by
former Governor Blease, with his per-
sonal signature of 'Coie,' letters were
prepared pledging Mr.. Blease's sup
| port to Senator Smith for reelection
| and maild out during subsequent days
| to reach the personal friends Of the.
former governor as en- 18th hour ap-
peal to factionalism.
'"This letter was circulated by hand
as we'll as through the maiis,, and
| used at the polls by workers for Sen
ator Smith.
"The active support of Mr.. Blease
of the candidacy Of Senator Smith
was with the knowledge and consent
| of Senator Smith.
Acknowledging receipt OF let
ter from Mr.. Blease, dated August o,
Senator Smith, few days later, ex-
pressed in communication to Mr..
Blease his appreciation of the per-
mission to use the Blease letter.
During the time of the mailing
out of the hundreds of letters, on the
verge of the election, the reputed
campaign manager of Senator Smith,
District Attorney Francis H. Weston,
long and bitter enemy of Governor
Blease, whom the latter has repeat
edly denounced, was visitor to the
cfice of Mr. Blease.
''The sequence of events leading
up to the actual mailing out OF the
Bsease letter need, in my opinion, no
further explanation.
another method used in the des-
perate attempt to elect Senator
Smith was the circulation around the
polls of reports that | was Blease-
tie. these being circulated among
strong anti-Blease men and that
was running on wet platform, IL
ranced by the liquor interests. This,
l charge, was a deliberate and pre-
meditated distortion Of facts.
.'My idea has been, and still is, to
enthuse my friends with the knowl-
eige that new day has dawned in
South Carolina politics, a new day in
which demagogic TRADES should give
way to logical discussions of funda-
mental principles of government. My
opponents are still living in the past
of old animosities engendered and
fostered BY factional bitterness.
81 am in the second race. The
CONTINUED on page q