Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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r i u l STATE CAMPAIGN OPENED IN SUMTER cation J. E. Swearingen of fedgefleld,! consistent on the whisker question, the blind incumbent, has no bar to He is still a personal prohibitionist, re-election, and lie demanded longer but the people having spoken he goes school terms, professional and closer by their decision, ind favors local THE,,MEETING A VERY QUIET ONE ALL CANDIDATES EXCEPT ONE PRESENT Manning, Clink scales, and Mendel L. Smith Given Much Applause Dur ing Speeches—Many Unopposed Candidates Present lb Thank Vot ers—Meeting Passed Off Pleasant ly and Friendly, With no Discord ant Events. (By Special Correspondent.) Bumter, J 17.—Special: The Srst meetlhg of the rival candidates (or the various State offices took place to-day In the Court House au ditorium of this city in the presence ef a large and attentive crowd. When the meeting was first called to order ky 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 buildig^ but within the next half-, hour this crowd tripled until all tbej aisles and standing room was occu pied. The crowd was variously estl mated at from 1,000 to 1,400 and the correct estimate Is betoveen 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 candidal, and the home folk of Sumter loudly applaud ed their fellow townsman when he arose to speafc. There were also a delegation present wearing ribbons denoting their adherency to Chas. A. Mnfch. 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- laily 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 can (Mates, Cllnkscales and Mendel L. Smith seemed the favorites of the crowd with the home man, Mr. Man ning. Richards received t 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 min- ntes before 11 and the most part was held in the court room. At the con clusion of the speeches of the candi 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 about six short addresses had been attempted there. The order 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 fice 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 could not be taken from him. He drew applause when he emphatically declared he would not run on any man's coat tall. 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 fllll the office with dignity, he stated. B. Frank Kelly of Bishopville 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 nnless “God struck him with light- nlng”. 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- eumbent, spoke first. Efficiency, Mrlct and non-partisan enforcement at the dntlea of his office;, and ef forts to bring about equalization in taxation throughout the £tkte were Us themes. J. A. Snmmersett of Columbia asked for rotation In the office, and siM be voitld respect the opinion of tbs attorney general In the discharge at his dntlea. He would work har- wtfk other offidala. * Columbia was also an unopposed in elect him. The voter should choose the man who would fill the position most efficiently. Thos. H. Peeples of Rarnwell 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 Omitnissioner. Quite a number of candidates for railroad 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. Falrey of Calhoun county spoke first. He declared that his section of the State needpd 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 tion. C. D. Fortner of Spartanburg has ed his appeal for votes on his record 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 mlleag^ 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 “capoodlement" 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 county 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 fhe 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 intend lo speak, but let the other candidates have his time. His platform was 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 to 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 J. Browning of Union 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 prin ciples. Was the candidate of no fac tion or newspaper, and there was not a coat tall big enough for him to swing to. The laboring men, he said, were the last to receive benefits of legislation, and the first to be harmed by it. He entered into a discussion of farming in relation to growth and prosperity of the cities and towns. He advocated the State helping ten ant farmers buy homea? 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 bear burden of taxation. He devoted most of his time to a clear and scholarly talk upon the Intricate subject of taxation. — Following Mr. Browning the meet ing adjourned until after dinner, and from 1:45 to S:30 there was no speaking. In the afternoon a smaller cumbent, who thanked the voters, saying he governed his office by the law and fils conscience. inspection of rural schools, the con tlnued support of the taxpayers, and a uniform standard for schools all over the State. ■Two for Attorney-General. A. O. Brice of Chester is opposing Attorney-General Peeples for re-elec tlon. The office he sought was one of administration, not policy, therefore be 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 to crowd gathered, but still a large one, to hear the remaining gubernatorial candidates. John G. Cllnkscales. John G. Cllnkscales spoke at 3:30 o’clock. He salt} 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 ttp of his nose to the end of his tall.” Be cause we need money for the city government we must fine them, Is a foolish doctrine. 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 bis remarks were several tlrqes ap plauded. R. A. Cooper. R. A. Cooper of Laurens said he had spent ten years trying to enforce the law, and was for it as much as any man. Judge a candidate from three points of view: Is he com petent, is he worthy, and will he be faithful—a standard set up toy Jef ferson. He evoked applause whor> declared he “had no friends to re ward, and no enemies to pnnisb. He pledged himsqlf to try and atop 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 satfd, the schools of our State would not accom modate the boys and girls if they knocked at our gates next autuma. Roads he favored the Improvement of. Not necessarily lower 1 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 speech, 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 Chrls- tions, and that by watching the ac counts in the daily papers one could seo the two end men for the sys tem. Was glad to see one man walk ing alone, but he warned Cllnkscales that the system would get behind him, and make him an end man. Watch the newspapers puff him up, “and he’s never touched the system.” If not voting for Duncan, vote for Cllnkscales, he said. He had been tempted with a bribe, had his repu tation stripped from him, tout 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 harnt 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- sdon to investigate and regulate cot ton mills, etc. State ought to help people try homes. Didn’t waMjts take from the rich, but “for Gocfs sake let’s get-together and don’t let the rich man bake from the poor man what little he has.” ' J John G. Richards. ^ • John Q. Richards, of liberty HJ11, read his speech, which had been handed the newspapers previously. Public office is public trust, and Ini Id years years of service h« had never failed or dodged an issue.. jle related several things In his lagiila- optlon. However, in a local option election he stands for prohibition. He opposes compulsory education, but sa/s.he favors the freest and full est development of educational facul ties—commodious schools In every community, thirty-six 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 cation of swinging to a coat tall, and said he had never feared, though, to state his position. The One Interruption. 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 brolsterous 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 Simms. Charles Carroll Simms of Barn well declared he had never been so shocked In his life as by the rules for enrollment adopted by the re cent Democratic convention. The convention, he said, had deliberately 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 prl 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 would re* suit In stirring up strife. He didn’t speak long on account of a telegram previously received announcing tbe death of his sister. Charles A. Smith. Charles A. Smith of Tiqimonsville, 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 chll dren. He promised faithful service and undivided zeal, If elected. He wonld make economy of government a distinct plank of his platform. South Carolina spends $2,000,000 yearly. The State onght never ex pend more than Its Income. Favor ed two-cent rate bill. Didn’t believe in four mileage books Instead of one Interchangeable one. Railroads, he declared, were prosperous. He thonght 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 cfew bill also. Promotion of public health, he emphasized, and drew considerable applause on this topic. Good roads he advocated, say- ifig that it cost as much to get cotton from the farm to a mar ket as to Liverpool from Charleston. Put the convicts ^n the roads, as Georgia did some years ago. Local option compulsory education, he wanted, not "Yankeelzed” general compulsory education. Law enforce ment upon every crime. He spoke stirringly of the use of the pardon power to alleviate 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 6:15. H. R. S. - ENTRIES ARE NOW OYER CANDIDATES put up their coin 11 FOR THE RACE. HllERTi SUCCESSOR (TEST OF DIPLOMATIC STRATEGY AT MEDIATION m LAD BADLY HURT. Clinton Youth Finds Railroad Tor pedo Which Explodes. Cummett Jackson v the twelve- year-old son of T. J. Jackson, a shoe maker of Clinton, was seriously wounded on ■ Saturday, when a tor pedo exploded In hts hand. Young Jackson 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 bis hand that It was necessary to amputate 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. Rees Pat Robber to Flight. WtflTe leaving the house of Wil liam Auterbach, at §old Spring. N. Y., a burglar knocked over a hfve of bees. When the Insects lit pn the intruder h« dropped » bag contain ing |300 worth of val]uj>les and fled. •ppertotaadea* «l Sds- Wofford Gets $38,000. The general education board of tlve records along the educational [Now York Friday announced among lino, which ho had canoed to helothra- glfta, a benefaction of !SI,»«0 that lo wm In- to W< Fifty-three Candidates Are Now . ' i . *1 „ ’ Seeking to Save the Grand Old Palmetto State. Candidates in the State and the senatorial campaign had their iinitial innings Wednesday, the former at Sumter and the latter - at St. Mat thews. Fifty-three candidates had entered the lists when the time limit for filing pledges had expired Tues day. In spite of this avalanche of political aspirants, four State offl cers, one congressman and one solic itor are without opposition. These are: R. M. McCown, 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 Seventh district, and L. M. Gasque, solicitor for the Twelfth judicial circuit. Interest will focus chiefly In the Senatorial and the gubernatorial rafes. 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 Bennettsvtlle did not enter the race for governoF. 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, Ellisen D. Smith. For Congress. First District—E. J. Dennis and R. S. Whaley. Second District—James F. Byrnes and R. D. Mixson. Third District—Wyatt Aiken, F. H. Dominick, F. S. Evans and John A. Horton. Fourth District—T. C. Duncan, Jo seph T. Johnson and S. J. Mcholls. - Fifth District—D. E. Finley and W. F. Stevenson. Sixth District—A. L. Lamer, J. E. Ellerbe and J. W. Ragsdale. Seventh District—A. F. Lever. For Governor. For Governor—Lowndes J. Brown ing, Jno. G. Cllnkscales, R. A. Coop er. Jno. T. Duncan, Wm. C. Irby Jr., Richard I. Manning, Jno. B. A. Mul- lally, Jno. G. Richards, Chas. Carroll Simms, Chas. A. Smith an^ Mendel L. Smith. For Lieutenant Governor—A. J. Bethea, Win. M. Hamer, J. 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.' For Attorney General—A. ♦G. Brice and Thos. H. Peeples. For Commissioner of Agriculture, Commerce and Industries—E. J. Watson. For Railroad Commissioner—Jas. Cansler, Geo. W. Falrey, C. D. Fort ner, Frank W. Shealey, Jno. H. Wharton and W. I. Witherspoon. ERUPTION AT MOUNT LASSEN. One Man is Reported to Have Been Killed. Mount Lassen, near Redding, Cal., finally erupted with volcanic fire Sun day and one man is reported killed, one Injured and two driven tempor arily Insane as a result of the terrific outburst from the crater which had been latent for many years. Two eruptions occurred Sunday. The sixth outbursts early Sunday shot a huge column of dense black smoke, steam and ashes which could be seen 50 miles distant, 2,000 feet In the air. At 7 a. m. a second fun nel of smoke and ashes larger In vol ume than the morning explosion shot skyward. • • ' Sunday’s eruption was more vio lent than any since the volcanic na ture of the" peak became evident re cently. The heavy cloud was blown northward for several miles. The entire snow capped peak has been blanketted with ashes. W. J. Rushing, United States for est supervisor, who Is In charge of federal observations at Lassen said; “The column of smoke was thrown about 2,000 feet high. The eruption lasted half an hour.” A report was received Sunday night and apparently confirmed that Lansing Graham, lumberman from Viola, Cal., "“who with eight others was viewing the eruption, was crush ed by a rock blown from the 1 fissure in the mountain. One other member, of tl^e party was seriously injured. ExplKldn Is Fatal. Tve men, four; of them foreign ers,\ane dead and 10 are In hospitals probably fatally injured as the re sult ol gas explosion at Columbus, Ohio, Skurday, in a trench in which a gang Of laborers were laying si men were pain felly fiarned buv^rfll recover, accord ing to Flvb\Other me imed but will re phj»iciaas> x CRUX OF THE SITUATION On Selection of Man t^Snoceed Huer- ta Deoends Success or Failure of ■ # Meeting at Niagara Falls—Discus sion to Go on—Carranza Delegates >. _ ’ .. ’’C' , May be' Received Informally. . * . • t_ / r Although there were no confer ences' Sunday between the mediators and the American or Mexican dele gates, It was apparent things were making for a titanic struggle in diplo macy between the United States and the Huerta government this week. While mediation has passed safely over many obstacles, the factor’’ on which peace most depends, the selec tion of a provisional president ac ceptable to all factions, has brought the entire mediation body to a reali zation that ultimately on this media tion will succeed or fall. The United States demands that a Constitutionalist be selected. The American government believes the only solution of the present tangle is to place the executive power in the hands of a broad-minded Constitu tionalist through a peaceful negotia tion rather than to have the inevi table occur—a military conquest of Mexico City with the possibility of international complications through inj'uries to foreigners. It became known that the United States informed the mediators at the very outset that it contemplated fav oring a Constitutionalist for provi sional president. The American delegates have made It clear the Washington government Itself has no preference for persons or parties. The Mexican delegates have argued for a “neutral”, not identified with any faction, but this the American delegates know will not pacify the Constitutionalists, who refuse to disband their big army in obedience to an Individual not known to them. Huerta’s delegates have suggested no names thus far. The American delegates are wait ing for the Washington government through Its close communication with the Constitutionalists, to learn who would be acceptable to them. Ttu arrival of Constitutionalists delegates at Niagara Falls, It generall) is agreed, would facilitate the choice of a provisional president but the medi ators have closed the door to them because they have not declared an armistice. No opportunity has come for the American government to outline its alternative course of action should mediation fall. While the United States might resume its attitude of passive observation as the Constitu tionalists pressed onward, intima tions have come from well informed quarters that American occupation of Mexico City might be the ultimate outcome. The crux of the Mexican problem —the selection of a man for provi sional president acceptable to all fac tions In Mexico and foreign govern ments generally—was reached Sat urday in a conference between the mediators and the American and Mexican delegates. Various names were discussed but there was no agreement. Details of the peace plan are virtually set aside now for the greater task of flniUng a man who can maintain peace In Mexico while R Constitutional election is held and normal order is resumed. Gen. Carranza’s note advising the mediators that Constitutionalist del egates were on their way to the me diation conference with full instruc tions arrived. It contains no refer ence td an armistice and there was nothing to show that the mediators had altered their determination not to admit officially Carranza’s repre sentatives unless an armistice was declared. Some other way of deal ing with them, perhaps through the American delegates, may be found. The Composition of the new provi sional government, its form and per sonnel, was discussed by American and Mexican delegates in an infor mal talk with the mediators/ No agreement was reached but it is be lieved this plank In the peace plan will set- forth that the new govern ment shall consist of a provisional president and four cabinet ministers, comprising the portfolios of foreign affairs, finance, war and Interior ad ministration. ^ . k Saturday’s discussion showed the Americans that Mexicans of .promi nence who have been active In the Constitutionalist party will meet with serious opposition from the Huerta delegates as presidential possibilities. Various plans for the form of the new government are before ators—a committee of five executive, a Junta de gobierno, or council of three, and a provisional president, are being considered. The last will be insisted on by the Men cans. The American delegates prot-' ably will offer no objection to it $ VJ 0 rm of the^^ ) the medl-(^^ > with Krsklae College Closes. The closing exercises of Erskine college wsrs hsld Tuesday nlgrt Tbs graduates numbered 21. "pw'iPfY