The dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1919-2001, 1921-11-30

, Former Governor Cole L. Blease an
nounces his candidacy for the COVER
norship of South Carolina and will be
a candidate in the Democratic primary
of next summer, according to a letter
made public yesterday.
Mr.. Blease's letter, which contains
! the definite announcement of his en-
/ try in the race, was written to Hon.
A. John Boggs of Pickens. The let
ter contains also the outline of Mr..
Bleases platform.
The race promises to be a warm af-
fair, as there are at least half dozen
others anticipating to pitch their that's
into the ring" Francis H. Weston
Of Columbia, former United States
district attorney, announced several
days ago that unless he changed his
mind he will be a candidate. State
Senator George Washington Wight
man Of Saluda, who is also known as
Battle Axe" is said to be seriously
considering taking a chance with the
voters. Former Congressman Lever
| is regarded as a sure entry.
Probable Candidates.
Others whose names are mentioned
as probable candidates are former
Lieutenant Governor Bethea, former
Attorney General Thomas H. Peoples,
State Senators Marion of Chester and
George Laney of Chesterfield, Mendel
L. Smith of Camden; Col. Holmes P.
| Springs of Greenville and W. G.
Query of the state tax commission.
If Governor Cooper is elected to
the justiceship Of the state supreme
| court in January he would be sue
ceeded by Lieutenant Governor Wilson
G.. Harvey of Charleston, and whether
Mr.. Harvey would offer for re-elec-
ton to the office is yet unknown. Mr..
Harvey's name has frequently been
mentioned as candidate.
Mr.. Blease's Announcement.
Mr.. Blease's letter to Mr.. Boggs
reads as follows:
MY Dear Friend: Your letter of
the 18th instant received, and I ap-
preciate very much indeed the kind
expressions contained therein from
| you and from those whom you speak.
II have received similar letters and
personal requests, such as yours con-
tains, from many people, and 1 feel
most highly yAcomplimented that those
who have been MY friends in the po-
litical campaigns in the past were so
we'll pleased with my record that they
are again requesting me to represent
! them, and I feel flattered that SO many
of those who hitherto have never sup
ported me are expressing themselves
personally and through letters, and
like those who spoke to you through
others, requesting that become their
,, spokesman and representative. 1 am
now giving you, in writing, my first
definite reply.
Will Be Candidate.
! Il shall be a candidate (if it be the
: will of God to spare me both health
ard life) for the sovernorship in the
.. CANA pign of 1922. Not that I have
any further personal ambition along
that line, but because there seems to
| be an earnest and sincere desire on
the part of great many of the people
Of this state that / do so. I would
feel that I was not true if my people
believe that I can serve them in any
capacity, however humble it may be,
and declined to co St.
II shall repeat in my campaign the
old slogan of the 1910 campaign,
which was: The reduction of taxa
ton; the abolition Of all useless Of
i. fices, clerkships, etc.; the enforcement
/ Of all laws to the letter. for if they be
good their enforcement will lend tc
the upbuilding and uplifting Of our
state and our people; if they be bad,
our people will soon demand and
cause their repeal. If a law is good.
it should be enforced; if bad, the
quickest way to secure its repeal Is
by enforcement. Give me poor
government and rich people, in pref
erence to rich government and 2
poor people: for when you make 2
rich government and thereby impoT
erish the people, you reverse democ-
racy and create dissatisfaction and