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BLEASE IS* BY SENA SENATOR SCARELY NOTICES GOVERNOR ONLY EXCITING MOMENT AT ST. MATHEWS Chief Executive Attacks Record of Smith in the Senate, Denouncing Especially Appointments of Two Edi ors-Smith, Interrupting the Governor, Disclaims Responsibil ity for Them-Governor Refers to Tiliman Letters to Prove Point and Smith Warns Him Taht Lie Must Not be Passed-Senator's Speech a Talk to Farmers-Casual Refer ence to Opponents-Other Candi dates Are Heard. (By Special Correspondent.) St. Matthews, June 17.-Special: Before a crowd of 800 people or more, a great number of whom came from different sections of the State, the "big guns" of the campaign com tenced their firing here yesterday morning and occupied practically the entire day in presenting their claims to the voters. All the places of busi ness of the town were closed and the town turned out to hear the candi dates for the office of United States Senator. By arrangement one hour was allotted to each -candidate In which to make his speech. Good or der prevailed and the speakers were given good attention. Gov. Blease was the first speaker and was fol lowed by L. D. Jennings, mayor of Sumter. A- intermission of 45 min utes was given for dinner, after Which W. 'P. Pollock of Cheraw spoke and was followed by Senator E. D. Smith. The county chairman, Dr. T. H. Dreher, opened the meeting at 11:30 o'clock. He stated that he had re eeved a letter infoming him that there would be some people on haild prepared to make trouble, and he an nounced that no boisterousness would be tolerated. If there had been anyintention of giving trouble it did not materialize and the entire proceedings went through in a peace able manner. There were a num ~ er of ladies in the audience who lstened attentively to the speaking. eseOpen F1st Gov. Blease opened uphith an as .sault on the recent club meetings and assailed the State convention. "This year," he said, "all said let's have peace.'" He' then endeavored to- show that those who had said let's have peace had not done those Stingsn -which would be conducive to s eace. He made the charge that fac 1atinalism jhad been injected into the Stats convention and also that the Sclub meetings had been packed, "oeclubs going so far as to put negroes in the county conventions." " Theother side," he said, "appealed Halrelltes and'negroes." He also "referred to the State convention as a ~corporation convention." Gov. '-Blease was severe in his criticism of the State convention and of its offi cers, the convention,'he claimed, us ing foul means to hurt him.' He referred to the new rules for the city people but were against the farmers and mill men. Other charges against the convention, 'hich he claimed was not representa tive'of the people of the State, were that they tried to put in a provision to have votes counted in private so stang could be done, and were try ing to hurt voters by making the new primary rules. The governor said he was not in the race for personal benefit or pro fit but to help the people and if elect ed he would stand by the Democratic party. ".If I am defeated," he said, 'I wilhave no grouch." "I1 have been governor for the last three years and nobody else has been -and those who don't like it can't help it,' said the governor with a great deal of emphasis. He referred to the pardoning ho had done' and said he espected to issue another pardon 1r.*'hen he returned to Columbia last night and would pardon another from Calhoun county. Blease accused Smith of being a representative in the "Haskel" con vention and read extracts from sev eral papers of that time to substan tiate his accusation. "Smith tries to ~disclaim any participation in this *convention." "Somebody has lied," he said, "was it the newspapers?" He attributed corruption and tyran ny to what he termed the "Haskel" crowd, and asked, "How long will you staid for It?" He referred to the recent visit of Senator Kern of Indiana to this State and said that Smith had brought big Yankee Kern here to telU us how to vote. Smith Won't Take the Lie. Blease said Smith had W. E. Gon zales appointed minister to Cuba to repay The State for favors. Sena tor Smith arose and addressed the chairman saying he desired the rec ord to be kept straight and that he had no more t;> do with this appoint ment than Blease. The governor then referred to the appointment of Jas. L. Sims as U-. S. marshal, "who admitted," he said, "that he worked on a Republican paper but excused himself by saying he was only connected with the mechanical de partment of the paper." He said -Sims was Smith's appointee. Senator Smith then made the statement that to be called "1U. S. Senator", but be cause there is a feeling in South Car olina that some one should take care* of the helm of State. I'm not for; my friends or your friends, but for the whole people for the peace and progress of the State." Mr. Pollock Speaks. Mr. Pollock said this was the first opportunity he had of coming before the people of Calhoun county but he fel perectlyna home for he had VARNED TOR SMITH married a girl from Orangeburg county, of which the St. Matthews portion of Calhoun county was then Mr. Sims was Tillman's appointee. Blease then read a letter from Sena tor Tillman to Senator Smith which he claimed verified his statement. Senator Smith walked to where the governor was and addressing him said he wanted it understood that nobody would call him a liar during this campaign. Gov. Blease made a general attack on the record 'of Senator Smith and said he wanted to know what Smith had done on the cotton question. He defended his action in the re cent militia encampment matter and referred to letters of commendation of the stand, which he had received. He reiterated his well known policy of favoring his friends and said what offices he had to give he would give to Bleaseites. Gov. Blease made efforts to show that Smith had done nothing for the poor man and referred to the attitude taken by Smith in reference to different questions coming before the national congress such as the Immigration bill and Post Office and Post Roads. The speech of the governor was read from a typewritten copy and he said he would have -100,000 copies printed and sent over the country. In closing he told of having the support of the labor organizations, and again said he would stand by his friends. Infrequent applause and cheers were given the governor. Mayor Jennings of Sumter. The next speaker was L. D. Jen nings, mayor of Sumter, who- said this is the first time he has appeared before the people for a State office. He told the growd that if his life and voice lasted he would speak to the people in every- county in the State and would prove the unfitness of Blease and Smith for the Senate; "the State may be wrong sometimes, racy and not Bleasism or Smithism." ,Mr. Jennings gave a brief sketch of his life and the record he had made in his home town, which rec ord, he said, was open for inspection. He was born on the farm and follow ed the plow for 10 years and he said he would have something to say to the farmers about the talk about the State convention trying to rob the farmers of heir votes. "I was a mem ber of the State convention and defy anybody to prove that the new rules are against the-voters. He explained the new rules and said the talk against the rules was demagogy. He gave notice that he would use the public records, of .all the men in the race but would not deal in per sonalities or sling mud unless forced to do so. He lauded the Democrats in Wash ington for sustaining President Wil son in the tolls exemption matter. He says he favors drainage, national forest reserve, development of water power and anti-trust laws and con demned the "pension" grab. He lauded Woodrow Wilson and his policies. "If elected," he said, "I will try to represent all the people. I am in the race, not for political ambition a, part. He made humorous refer ences to his looks and said he want ed to be mneasured, not around the waist, but where the hat band fits. "South Carolina deserves bejter representation in the U. S. Senate than she has had in the executive office," he said. He expressed hopes that the campaign would be for de cency and order in the State. "I'm not the candidate of any caucus anid I have entered in with no man or corporation, and byf my efforts, when this campaign is over, something will have been done for the good of the people of South Carolina. He presented his record while in the legislature for eight years, and told of what he had done for the people of the State. He said he was born and raised on the farm and is a combination farmer and lawyer, and claimed having worked for the farm ers while in the legislature. In referring to what Gor. Blease said about a vote he cast in reference to the "Jim Crow" car law, Mr. Pol lock said he might have cast a vote against such a law when the rail i-oads and the people were so poor that there was no issue about sgpa rating the whites and negroes on trains, but when it became an issue he was instrumental in having the law passed. He ridiculed in a focular manner Smith's term as senator and said that he had done nothing. "I'm not running on the demerits of any man. Unless I am a betler man than the other candidates I don't want your votes." He paid tribute to William J. Bryan and Woodrow Wilson. When the name of Wilson was men tioned there were many cheers for the president. Mr. Pollock promised faithful ser vice to the people if elected. Smith Tells of His Work. Senator Smith opened up in a happy mood and held the attention of his hearers all the way through. He referred to his record since he has ibeen in the Senate and said he had stuck by his pledges made to the people when he was elected. "Special consideration is due," he said, "to the men who make the clothes and the men who feed tne world." "I am here to tell you to-day that financial legislation has been for the benefit of corporations and we had the crumbs, but the m:.n in the field and wood is going to have his own representatives in the halls of legis lation." The senator made refer ence to his amendment to the bank ing and currency law which gives farmers six months' time to draw their drafts, bills and notes for agri cultural purposes instead of 90 days. as originally contemplated in the measure. He went into an ex plantation of the workings of this amendment. He told of how the cot ton, corn and lands of the farmer had become available through the workings of the banking and cur rency laws which l'e did his share towards having passed. Talks of Cotton. He then launched into a talk about ctton and told of his activitie in1 READY FOR THE FRAY -4 SMITH SEEKS RE-ELECTION ON HIS RECORD IN SENATE. ---- Junior Senator Laughs at Threaten ed Disclosures of His Enemies Talks of His Position. When interviewed in Spartanburg Monday Senator Ellison D. Smith said "I'm ready for the fray". The senator said he would ask re-election on the strength of his record in the Senate, in this connection laying par ticular stress on a measure he said he had passed for the regulation of the cotton exchanges and his amend ment to the banking and currency law which gives farmers six months' time to draw their drafts, bills and notes for agricultural purposes in stead of 90 days, as originally con templated in the measure. Senator Smith also said: "I am now in position as a matter of course to do more for the people by virtue of my position on various committees than I have been able to do in the past in that my committee appointments are such as to give me added influence in legislation. I am chairman of the committee on immi gration, ranking member on, the com mittee of post offices and post roads, ranking member of interstate com merce committee, ranking member of agricultural committee and of sev eral other less important committees. In case I was not returned, whoever succeeded me would necessarily have to begin practically at the bottom of the list. These are some of the facts that I think the farmers ought to know." Asked about Wilson's policy with reference to negroes which has been criticised in this State, the senator replied that he did not know, and that it was a thing that in the nature of the case one did not like to dis cuss. "The people know that Wilson is a big lot of seed corn, the only man that has ever accomplished anything, and they would be fools to throw away all the corn for a few rotten kernels," he said. Asked about some of the particu lar charges which friends of the gov ernor have been talking of as prob ably to be brought against him, not ably the charge that he has been dealing in cotton futures on the New York exchange while his cotton bills were pending in the Senate, and while he was advising the farmers to,hold their cotton, the senator be came rather warm, brought his fist down with force and with a laugh of derision said that he was not worry ing at all about that, that he had the goods to prove such nothing but man ufactured lies. Asked if he voted to confirm a negro judge in the District of Co lumbia, he laughed e - in as if it were a- joke and said that on the con trary he had the proof to show that he made one of the most convincing speeches against this cnnflrmation and came near to preventing it by changing the minds of a number of Republicans. To substantiate this he said "t one had only to write to SenaL . Vardaman, Lee Overman and 3. W. Kern. "This was done in secret session and therefore might be hard to get out. It is not in The Congressional Record," said Senator Smith. this line. He first showed how the ~cotton seller was at the mercy of the cotton buyer because the seller did not know the different grades of cot ton. "I promised you boys six years ago that I would correct this. For the first four years of my term there was a Republican majority in the Senate and when the Democratic ma jority came in, E. -D. Smith's cotton bill passed unanimously and is now before the House and will undoubt edly pass and Hoke Smith had noth ing to do with it. The -New York cotton exhange tried to get me to stop my 'cotton" legislation, but I told them no and on the 28th day of March the bill was unanimously passed by Republicans and Demo crats in the Senate. I got an appro priation of $46,000 for testing grades of cotton and these tests were made at the Danville Textile association in Virginia and at Clemson college. The senator here exhibited speci mens of- the diqerent grades of cot ton as shown by tests made with the appropriation obtained. Senator Smith quoted the prices that cotton brought during the past ten years and said he had fought for the price of cotton before he went to the Senate and while he was in the Senate and said it was'a remark able coincidence If the improved price of cotton was not the result at lease in part, of E. D. Smith. In referring to his attitude to ward immigration, of which commit tee he was chairman, Senator Smith said that if It were In his power he would let no alien enter the United States for citizenship for ten years. He said he favored restricted Immi gration. "Though you have genius like that displayed here to-day when you go there (referring to the United States Senate) you take your medicine and start from the bottom, and if you have not the manhood, you stay at the bottom." Stood by His Pledge. Smith said he knew there was no man in the crowd but that believed he had stood by his pledges. Senator Smith said that he was said to have been at the "Haskelite" convention; said that he was not there but was at George's station and he supposed his name was gotten when he passed through Columbia on his way to George's station. He made the statement that when he got where his word had to be at tested to, he would resign from the U'nited States Senate and come home. He paid tribute to the Confederate leaders and referred to what they had done for their country. Senator Smith closed with saying, "On the 25th of August when I'm sent back to the Senate. I'll change the price of cotton. Everything is going up and I want farm products to go up. I hope when I go back with the experience I have and the loyal work I've done for you I will put the price of cotton where it will be commensurate to the work done to produce it." A. T. W. Blease and Smith are the strong es.i the+ace for the U. S. Senate. EXPOSES TRUSTS PRESIDENT DENOUNCES LONG DISTANCE LOBBY TO PREVENT REFORMS Campaign to Forestall Further Ac tion Sees Searchlight of Publicity Through President's Utterances Reiterated His Determination That Big Business Must be Regulated. President Wilson came out Mon day with a flat declaration that, de spite what he characterized as a de liberate campaign by certain inter ests to secure adjournment of con gress and postponement of the ad ministration's trust legislation pro gram, he would use every influence at his command to get the pending bills through the Senate at this ses sion. o Choosing his words carefully, the president disclosed his belief that or ganized distribution of circular let ters and telegrams among business men, members of congress and other public officials, calling for an ad journment of congress, a halt in the trust bills, an increase in freight rates for the railroads and a "rest for business", was responsible for what he recently described as a "psychological depression". In support of that view, the White House made public copies of letters and telegrams brought in by friends of the administration.- One letter was circulated by the Simmons Hard ware company of St. Louis under date June 9. The president's decla ration and the publication of the let ters created a mild sensation ap proaching that which followed the president's denunciation of the "in sidious lobby", which, he said, was threatening the tariff bill last year. Senators and representatives discuss ed the situation. One of the letters made public pur ported to have been sent out by The Pictorial Review company of New York and was signed by W. P. Ah nelt, president, under date of May 1. It, accompanied a prepared letter protesting against trust legislation, praying for a freight rate increase and suggesting an adjournment of congress, with the further suggestion that the recipient mail copies to the president, members of congress, the interstate commerce commission and other officials in Washington. The letter signed by Ahnelt says that "prosperity has been lost some where In this county, owing to the mischevious activities of the politi cians," and that the draft of an in closed letter "embraces the views of a majority of the thinking business people of our section." In part the form letter for transmission to pub lic officials was as follows: "We ask in the name of the suf fering American people, in the name of common sense, why wantonly ha rass business at this juncture, when It Is strugglng for its very existence? "Why throw more thousands of men idle when so many families are already starving? "Why subject business to any ex perimental legislation now when it is not prosperous? Postpone it. Dras tic action on your part is a peril at this time. What we do need is a lit tle 'building-no more tearing down. "The granting of the petition of the Eastern railroads for a 5 per cent. freight rate increase will do more for the prosperity of the coun try than all legislation unlawfuleo strain and monopolies. "The continual senseless attacks by governmental bodies upon mer chants, railroads, industrial mercan tile corporations, revision of the tar iff and currency reform have resulted in sinking business to such an extent that it has thrown hundreds of -thou sands out of employment, reduced wages and decreased values in rail road industries in mercantile cor porations to the extent of at least $3,000,000,000. "The most serious situation that confronts the country to-day is the fact that unemployment is growing more acute. We ask congress to halt before it is too late. Postpone all anti-business legislation." A prepared telegram much to the same effect, but In condensed terms, was attacked. The Simmons letter declared that the three things which stood in the way of prosperity were the Mexican situatlon, the awaited advance in freight rates and con tinued hostile legislation in congress. It said in part: Especially do we recommend that no further attempt at legislation on the matter of the control of 'busi ness or passing of anti-trust laws should be continued at this time. What the country needs more now than anything else is a quiet time an absolute rest from the agitation of politics and assaults upon busi ness. It does not make any differ ence 'whether it Is big business or little business. "We, therefore, strongly recom mend and earnestly hope that con gress may be convinced that they have done enough law making for the present; that the country is abso lutely tired and surfeited with polit ical agitations and that the agitation now of the control of business is ex ceedingly injurious and will serve to retard improvement In business, which otherwise would be very great and rapid.. "We submit these arguments or reasons to you, asking you and pray ing you to use your best influence in following the lines suggested in this communication, viz: To have con gress shut up shop and go home. If you agree with us, send to your con gressman and senators a telegram something like the inclosed and urge your commercial club to pass strong resolutions along similar lines and send them to Washington. Our rep resentatives there are worn out, phy sically and mentally, and will wel come your suggestions that furthier consideration of legislation affecting business be postponed until Decem ber." The president declined to make any extended comment on the let ters, declaring that they spoke for themselves. Report of campaign meeting at Or aebg wil be found on pag ne. three points of view: Is he com petent, is he worthy, and will he be faithful-a standard set up by Jef ferson. He evoked applause when declared he "had no friends to re ward, and no enemies to punish:" He pledged himself to try and stop the races in Charleston, and the blind tigers in Columbia, or else where. He wants equal school facil ities for the children of the back woods with those of the cities. Su perintendent Swearingen said, the schools of our State would not accom modate the boys and girls if they knocked at our gates next autumn. Roads he favored the improvement of. Not necessarily lower taxation, but better values for what we spend. The benefits of Clemson should be at the door of every farmer by means of experiment stations in every county. He favors taking advantage of the rural credits 'bill and help every farmer own his farm. John T. Duncan. - John T. Duncan of Columbia made a speeph, and was well received by the crowd, who enjoyed his talk. Said there had been a marked pur pose to make State campaign un popular, and prevent people hearing the candidates. He remarked on one man not qualifying for the governor's race because It was not the season for coat tail swingers. Said last year the system had Blease to catch the sinners and Jones to land the Chris tions, and that by .watching the ac counts in the daily papers one could see the two end men for- the sys-' tem. Was glad to see one man walk ing alone, but he warned Clinkscales that the system would get behind him, and make him an end man. Watch the newspapers puff him up, "and he's never t' uched the system." If not voting for (Duncan, vote for Clinkscales, he said. He had been tempted with a bribe, had his repu tation stripped from him, but he would be a standing candidate until elected .governor. He thought some body ought to start a newspaper which would tell the truth, one way to redeem the State. W. C. Irby. W. C, Irby, of Laurens, announc ed that he would say what he thought, let the chips harm who they will. He thought laws ought to pro tect the poor, for the rich take care of themselves. A New York mill owner turned out a president who wanted to sell a commission mer chant who only wanted 2 1-2 instead of 5 per cent, and this put stockhold ers money into the 'owner's hands. They combine in the State and pre vent competition for buying cotton. Ought to have a corporation commis sion to investigate and regulate cot ton mills, etc. State ought- to help people try homes. Didn't want to take from the rich, but "for God's sake let's- get together and don't let the rich man take from the poor man what little he has." John G. Richards. John G. Richards, of Liberty Hill, read his speech, which had been handed the newspapers previously. Public office is public trust, and in 16 years years of service he had never failed or dodged an issue. He related. several things in his legisla tive records along the educational line, which he had caused to be adopted. He denied that he' was in. consistent on the whiskey question. He is still a personal prohibitionist, buit the people having spoken he goes by their decision, and favors local option. However, in a local option election he stands for 'prohibition. He opposes compulsory education, but says he favors the freest and full est development of educational facili ties-commodious schools in every community, thirty-siig weeks terms at least. He didn't like interfering with a man's right over his home by forc ing children to school saying, every man had "a God-given right to con trol his household." With negro ma jority it would be sheer madness to educate them. He denied the impli ation of 'swinging to a coat tail, and said he had neirer feared, though, to state his position. The One Interruptionl. The only interruption of the day was here, when Mr. Dick Lee asked Mr. Richards if he favored the minor ity report on the reform to the new rules at the late convention, and Richards drew broisterous applause when he stated that he had worked with Senator Clifton. Irby made a statement that he too would have supported the minority report. Charles Carroll Simins. Charles Carroll Simms of Barne well declared he had nevez been so shocked in his life as.dgr~the rules for enrollment adoptf"by the re cent Democratic- conz'ention. The convention, he' saT %T eiiberately tried to disenfranchise the poor white man,'and now it was easier for the negro to vote in the general election than for a man to enroll for the pri mary. He declared we didn't pay enough attention to the farmers who fed us and the cotton mill operative who clothed us. To compulsory edu cate two antagonistic races yould re sult in stirring up strife. He didn't speak long on account of a telegram previously received announcing the death of his sister. Charles A. Smith. Charles A. Smith of Timmonsville, who has been lieutenant-governor, asked to be promoted. He wanted to make the State a better place for the laboring man to live in, and give better opportunities to their chil dren. He promised faithful service and undivided zeal, if elected. He would make economy of government a distinct plank of his platform. South Carolina spends $2,000,000 yearly. The State ought never ex pend more than its income. Favor d two-cent rate bill. Didn't believe in four mileage books instead of one interchangeable one. Railroads, he declared, were prosperous. He thought prohibition should be sub mitted to the people of the entire State. Mendel L. Smith. Mendel L. Smith of Camden. Speaker of the House of Representa tives, was the last speaker of the afternoon, and he spoke quickly and to the point. Had a high conception of the office and a man's duty to offer for what leadership he could be used. Favored two-cent rate, with exemp tion for short lines, and a full crew bill also. Promotion of public health, he emphasized, and drew considerable applause on this topic. STA TE CA! OPENED THE MEETING A VERY QUIET ONE ALL CANDIDATES EXCEPT" ONE PRESENT Manning, Clinkscales, and Mendel L. Smith Given Much Applause Dur ing Speeches-Many Unopposed Candidates Present to Thank Vot ers-Meeting Passed Off Pleasant ly and Friendly, With no Discord ant Events. (By Special Correspondent.) Sumter, J--- 17.--Special: The first meeting of the rival candidates for the various State- offices took place to-day in the Court House au ditorem of this city in the presence of a large and attentive crowd. When the meeting was first called to order by the county chairman of the Sum ter democracy, J. H. Clifton, a few minutes before 11 o'clock, there were several hundred people in the building but within the next half hour this crowd tripled until all the aisles and standing room was occu pied. - The crowd was variously esti mated at from 1,000 to 1,400 and the correct estimate is between the two. The meeting passed off quietly and harmoniously. Not once did a jar ring note break the evenness of the occasion. Many in the crowd were buttons indicating their support of the Manning candidacy, and the home folk of Sumter loudly applaud ed their fellow townsman when he arose to speak. There were also a delegation present wearing ribbons denoting their adherency to Chas. A. Smith, and this contingent set up much applause for their champion when he spoke late in the afternoon. In the race for governor all the candidates were on hand except Mul lally of Charleston, whose absence from the meeting was explained when his name was called in the afternoon by an accident to his foot. Of the applause which greeted the candidates, Clinkscales and Mendel L. Smith seemed the favorites of the crowd with the home man, Mr. Man ning. Richards received a little more than the usual meed of ap plause also. Browning and Cooper both made strong speeches, and were applauded. The meeting began at three mina utes before11 and the most part was held in the court room. At the con clusion of the-speeches of the candl dates for lieutenant-governor the speaking was carried on from the outside portico, but the hearing here being difficult, the contest was again taken into the court -room, after abut six short addresses had been attempted -there. .The o'rder of the speakers Is given below just as they spoke, and for each office the position will remain the same throughout the campaign. The various candidates for each of fie will of course rotate. Lieutenant Governor. Andrew J. Bethea of Columbia spoke first. He spoke for a new day's awakening in the State, and said education was the only thing given a 'poor man that dould not be taken from him. He drew applause when he emphatically declared he would not run on any man's coat tal. - W. M. Hamer of Dillon made a straightforward plea for business ad ministration of the office, and declar ed he was for anything that would bring better conditions. J. A. Hunter of Bamberg spoke in favor of rural schools, biennial leg islative sessions, and reformed pri mary. Would fiill the office with dignity, he stated. B. Frank -Kelly of Bishopvile made a few remarks upon educating the masses, and not so much higher education. Had never been handed lemon in debate, and felt sure of be Ing the next lieutenant-governor unless "God struck him with light ning". McCown Unopposed. Secretary of State R. M. McCown of Florence, unopposed for his of fice, briefly thanked the voters of the -county for their support. Summersett Opposes Jones. For comptroller-general A. W. Jones of Abbeville, the present in cumbent, spoke first. Efficiency, strict and non-partisan enforcement of the duties of his office, and ef forts to bring about equalization in taxation throughout the State were his themes. J. A. Summersett of Columbia asked for rotation in the office, and said he would respect the opinion of the attorney general in tize discharge of his duties. He would work har moniously with other officials. Treasurer Has No Opponent. State Treasurer S. T. Carter of Columbia was also an unopposed in elect himi. The voter should choose the man who would fill the position. most efficiently. Thos. H. Peeples of Barnwell then spoke. The record of a public ser vant is an open book, and his was ready for inspection. Conducted his office with fairness, knowing no man or faction. His office is on economi cal basis, no attorney fees being paid, except $125. If he hasn't done work all right, doesn't want to go back. Railroad Commissioner. Quite a number of candidates for ra!road commissioner were in evi dence, when the meeting reassem bled in the court room after having experimented with speaking from the portico of the building. Geo. W. Fairey of Calhoun county spoke first. He declared that his section of the State needed a representative on the board. Not a politician, but a busi ness man. He said he seldom saw a commissioner in his part of the State except when they were for re-elec C. D. F'ortner of Spartanburg bas edhi apeal for votes on his record 4PAIGN IN SUMTER in the House, as author of the Fort ner bill, and other legislative activi ties. Favored square deal with rail roads and the people. Favored two cent rate bill. Frank W. Shealy of Lexington de clared he was no orator and would make no speech. Better roadbeds, equipment, and a convenient sched ule were the points he emphasized. John H. Wharton of Laurens said the railroad commissioner was the most important office in the State, as that official could make rates on freight and passenger traffic. Favors interchangeable mileage book, and full train crews. W. I. Witherspoon of York county made a short business like talk for an investigation of conditions. Fair ness to corporation and people he de clared for. Jas. Cansler of Tirzah delighted the audience with a humorous talk, in which he hit his opponent. - He said he had more energy than the whole "capoedlement" running against him. Before favoring two cent rate find out if railroads can stand it. Tote fair with both sides, and grant an honest investment a dividend. For Adjutant-General. Capt. M. C. Willis of York qounty opposed the present official, Adju tant General W. W. Moore, for re election. He made a talk, discussing his military record. He does not be lieve in applying regular army stand ards to the State militia, with its strict discipline and vexatious regu lations. W. W. Moore said he had always endeavored to follow the law and do what was right. Not trying to meas ure by regular army standards. Wanted more money. Explained his side of the conflicting parts taken in the militia trouble. Commissioner Watson Talks. Commissioner E. J-. Watson had no opposition, but he asked the vot ers to carefully weigh their decisions on the important matters and weigh deliberately the different candidates. Manning for Governor. Richard I. Manning, Sumter's "favorite son", spoke briefly. HE did not inten I to speak, but let the other candidates have his time. His platform war, known to his home peo ple-strict enforcement of the law, whether it 'be carrying concealed weapons, violating liquor law, or race track gambling. Efficiency with economy is his plan. He referred tc the fact that the campaign was usual ly referred to as a circus, which re flected upon the candidates. He urg ed"every candidate to do away with "bitterness, personalities, and vitup eration." Lowndes J. Browning. Lowndes 3. Browning of UnioE announced his appreciation of Mr. Manning's courtesies, and his inten tion to reciprocate. Fourteen min utes was a short while to discuss vital Issues. Believed in Democratic pin ciples. Was the candidate of no fac tion or newspaper, and there was nol a coat tail big enough for him tc swing to. The laboring men, he said were the last to receive benefits o1 legislation, and the first to be harmec by it. He entered into a discussioz of farming in relation to growth and prosperity of the cities and towns. He advocated the State helping ten ant farmers -buy homes, thereforE State should investigate titles and prepare to loan money at low inter est. Spoke interestingly on abolish ing tax on farmers and mechanics tools, Implements, etc. Surplus in come and, inheritances should beat burden of taxation. He devoted mos1 of his time to a clear and scholar13 talk upon the intricate subject o1 taxation. Following Mr. Browning the meet ing adjourned until -after dinner, and from 1:45 to 3:30 there was nc speaking. In the afternoon a smallet cumbent, who thanked the voters saying he governed his office by thE law and his conscience. Swearingen Speaks Briefly. For State Superintendent, of Edu cation J. E. Swearingen of Edgefleld, the blind incumbent, has no bar tc re-election, and he demanded longei school terms, professional and closet Inspection of rural schools, the con tinued support of the taxpayers, and a uniform standard for schools all over the State. Two for Attorney-General. A. G. Brice of Chester is opposing Attorney-General Peeples for re-elec tion. The odfice he sought was one of administration, not policy, thereforc he had no platform. His opponent's record was known and if there was anything wrong with it, people knew it. However, that was no reason tc crowd gathered, but still a large one, to hear the remaining gubernatorial candidates. John G. Clinkscales. John G. Clinkscales spoke at 3:30 o'clock. He said that when a man offers for governor the people had a right to know how he stood. He was a candidate from purest of patriotic motives, not by solicitation of many friends. He was on no coat tail, but "toting his own skillet". He al luded to some of the measures he would discuss and urge during the campaign. A people's civilization measured 'by their obedience to law. He would give every effort to redeem South Carolina from being the laugh ing stock of the nation. Much law lessness due to .carrying of concealed weapons. Does not favor fining them, but make the violators of this law wear the stripes. He illustrated the danger with the Sullivan-Cannon af fair very tellingly. "The blind tiger already spotted with corruption ought to be stripped from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail." Be cause we need money for the city government we must fine them, is a foolish doctring. He closed by speak ing for reform in the methods of courts-too slow, ease of new trials, appeals. technicalities, etc. He in terspersed some taking jokes, and his remarks werc several times ap plauded. R. A. Cooper. R. A. Cooper of Laurens said he had spent ten years trying to enforce the law, and wa: for it as much as Absolutely Pure ENTRIES ARE NOW OVER CANDIDATES PCT UP THEIR COIN FOR THE RACE. Fifty-three Candidates Are Now Seeking to Save the Grand Old Palmetto State. Candidates in the State and the senatorial campaign had their initial innings Wednesday, the former. at Sumter and the latter at St. Mat thews. Fifty-three candidates had entered the lists when the t lIhnit for filing pledges' had expir day. In spite of this a political aspirants, four Sts cers, one congressman and&one-solic itor are without oppositi4?i These are: R. M. MoCown, secretary -of state; J. E. Swearingen, State super intendent of education; S. T.- Carter, State treasurer; E.- J. Watson, com missioner of agriculture, commerce and industries; A. F. Lever, congress man from the Seyenth district, and L. M. Gasque, solicitor for the Twelfth judicial circuit. Interest will focus chiefly in the Senatorial and the gubernatorial races. In the former there are four competitors, L. D. Jennings of Sum teh and W. D. Pollock of Cheraw,' the governor and Senator E. D. Smith. In the race for governor there are 11 contestants. -John L. McLaurin of Zennettsville did not enter the race for gogernor. List of Candidate. The candidates and the offices which they are seeking are as fol lows: For United States Senate-Cole L. Blease, L. D. Jennings, W. P. Pol lock, Ellison D. Smith. For Congress. First District-E. J. Dennis and BR. 8. Whaley. Second District-James F. Byrnes and R. D. Mixson. 'Third District--Wyatt. Alkeni, - F. H. Dominick, F. S. Evans and John A. Horton. Fourth District-T. C. Duncan, Jo seph T. Johnson and S. J. Nicholls. Fifth District-D). E. Finley and W. F. Stevenson. Sixth Distri :t-A. L. Lamer, J. E. E11erbe and 3. W. Ragsdale. Seventh District-A. F. Lever. For Governor. For Governor-Lowndes 3. Brown ing, Jno. G. Clinkscales, R. A. Coop er,. Jno. T. Duncan, Win. C. Irby Jr., Richard I. Manning, Jno. B., A. Mul lally, Jno. G. Richards, Chas. Carroll Simmis, Chas. A. Smith and Mendel L. Smith. For Lieutenant Governor-A. 3. Bethea, Win. M. Hamer, 3. A. Hun ter and 'B. Frank Kelley. For Secretary of State-R. M. Mc Cown. For Comptroller General-A. W. Jones and J. A. Summersett.' For'State Treasurer-S. T. Carter. For Adjutant -General-W. W. Moore and M. C. Willis. For State Superintendent of Sdu cation-J. E. Swearingen. Vor Attorney General-A. G. Brice and Thos. H. Peeples. For Commissioner of Agricbltre, Commerce and Industries-E. J. Watson. For Railroad Commissioner-Jas. Cansler, Geo. W. Fairey, C. D. Fort nor, Frank W. Shealey, Jno. H. Wharton and W. I. Witherspoon. *'LAD BADLY HURT. Clinton Youth Finds Railroad Tor .pedo Which Explodes. Cummett Jackson, the twelve year-old son of T. J. Jackson, a shoe maker of Clinton, was seriously wounded on Saturday, when a to'r pedo exploded in his hand. Young .ackson had found the torpedo along the railroad, track and had been playing with it a week or two, using it as a whistle and for other childish purposes, when on Saturday, while on the front porch of his home, it exploded and so lacerated his hand that it was necessary to -amputat' two of his fingers and part of the thumb on his left hand. Besides in juries to his hand, he received pow der burns on his leg and face. Refuses to Name Assailant. C. C. Wyche, leader of the Blease faction in the House, walked to a Spartanburg hospital Wednesday suf fering from cuts, inflicted by an op ponent in a fight over personal mat ters. He refused to disclose the name of his attacker. ing that it cost as much to et cotton from the farm to a mar ket as to Liverpool from Charleston. Put the convicts on the roads, as Georgia did some years ago. Local option compulsory education, he wanted, not "Yankeeized" general compulsory education. Law enforce ment upon every crime. He spoke stirringly of the use of the pardon power to allevirte cases of the law's harshness, which should be used to promote justice, not to destroy it, and he felt that the certainty of crime was the deterrent force upon criminals, therefore indiscriminate and thoughtless exercise of the par don power had worked great harm to the- State. This also was applauded. This was the last speech, and the meeting came to an end about