The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1922-07-29
IS
SCORED FOR
DISL0YALTY
Duncan Makes Attack
on Columbia Candi-
date-Laney a n d
Mcleod is Attacked
For Membership in
the Cotton Associa-
ton

t1On
Dillon, July 2s-Before a
crowd that sweltered in the heat Of
one of the hottest days since the
beginning of the campaign, can
didates for. state Offices spoke here
today. The crowd gathered early
and displaying wonderful patience
as one set Of candidates after an
other spoke, remained to : hear
the aspirants for the governorship.
who spoke last.
Cole L. Blease was the last
speaker Of the day and addressed
possibly the largest crowd. The
two women candidates for state
superintendent of education were
accorded warm welcome. They
spoke earnestly and were. gener-
ously appIauded More women
than have attended any meeting SO
far were present today.
John T. Duncan was the first
of the candidates for governor to
be introduced. He launched into
an attack on Cole L. Blease after
talking for several minutes ON the
Columbia canal. He spoke of Mr..
Blease's Republican taint" and
the war record of the former gov
ernor. declaring that when the
American soldiers were fighting in
France Mr.. Blease's own brother
"had to get out and make speeches
to counteract his (Cole L. Blease's)
ldisloyalty" The former governor,
he added. had done enough to
. damn any man to purgatory and
back" Men support Mr.. Blease, he
said. merely to be contrary. Mr..
Duncan also attacked Mr.. Mcleod
and Mr.. Laney because of their
membership in the cotton associa-
ton.
Senator Laney paid tribute to
Dillon county. declaring this one
L Of the greatest in war and one of
the greatest, in peace. He called
attention to the fact, that the first
South Carolina officer to be killed
in the World War was Dillon
man. John H. David,
when the women got the bal
lot the Chesterfield man declared,
John Barleycorn died.
Whiskey is the greatest enemy
of mankind and always will be.
Mr.. Laney reviewed his record in
the legislature and dwelling upon
his consistent support for schools
and education. for economy and
the betterment of the state. de-
clared that if his name is scratch
ed it will be his record that is
brushed aside. He pledged him.
self not only to economy but to
constructive economy. not econo-
my at the expense of schools and
roads. The. tax burden could be
lifted from lands and particularly
from farm lands. Mr.. Laney says
he stands for a system which he
declared would Lift the burden
from the bended backs Of the
farmers and place it on luXuries. He
told Of his part as legislator in
tapping new sources of revenue
and cutting down the state levy
from II to I IL mills. Today Mr.
Laney declared that if elected he
would uphold the law. to the let
ter. .
Thomas G.. Mcleod prefaced his
remarks with the statement that
he had married in Dillon county
had felt that he was therefore a
son-in-law of this county. He
welcomed the women to their new
duties of citizenship. He reviewed
briefly the power Of the governor,
chief OF which he declared is the
power of the veto and the pardon
/ ing power. These. he said. should
be exercised with extreme precau
, ton. The Bishopville man spoke
OF the new problems nov facing
/, the people and these he gave a.
his opinion can be solved only by
thinking in terms of the time in
which the people are living today;
the war has brought about far
.rea ching changes. Mr.. Mcleod also
favored economy. but reasonable
economy: not such economy as
would hamper the schools or hlocs
progress. The present system OF
taxation. he said. is obsolete and
defending the gasoline tax. made
the statement that 75 per cent OF
the people who pay this tax pay
no other tax at all. Law enforce
merit he named as the paramount
issue in this campaign.
Former Governor Cole l.. Blease
was accorded something OF an ova-
ton when he arose and when ne
concluded his speech.
lie said he told the people OF
South Carolina in 1914 that If they