Keowee Courier

STATE CANDIDATES IN OCONEE

THE MEETING WAS A QUIET ONE—THE AUDIENCE PATIENT.

The State campaign meeting at Walhalla, Saturday, was opened in the Court House at 11 o'clock with prayer by the Rev. E. S. Jones. County Chairman C. R. D. Burts bespoke a patient hearing of all candidates in the discussion of the issues and stressed the importance of the purity of the ballot-box. The speakers were introduced in the order named.

J. W. Ragsdale thinks the dispensary the best solution of the liquor question. Is opposed to high license and county dispensaries. If graft and corruption be in the State system remove it.

J. F. Lyons was received with applause. He believes each county should have local option. The system on the banks of the Congaree is a festering sore on the body politic. He would drive out the whole institution. Gave instances of graft and corrupt practices of members of Board of Control. Candidates for election on Board of Control sent liquor to the rooms of members of the General Assembly to influence their votes. Think of them sending liquor to such men as T. P. Cothran and B. A. Morgan! But they mistook their men, for the liquor was promptly returned.

The county chairman announced that the Hon. L. F. Youmans, the present Attorney General, could not attend on account of official business elsewhere.

A. W. Jones, Comptroller General, advocated a flexible levy. He has saved the State thousands of dollars during his administration. Has always hewed to the line.

G. L. Walker is opposed to increase in assessment of property. Thinks county and township boards know more about the value of property than any one else. Railroads not assessed on an equality with cotton mills, banks and other property, the former being assessed at 30 per cent. while the latter at 60 per cent.

J. C. Boyd, for Adjutant General, has mingled with our people thirty years. He is thankful for support here four years ago. For long experience in militia and as a business man he feels competent. He spent more of his time and means in support of the militia than any man in the State. Served his country well in war and peace. Closed with applause.

L. W. Haskell complimented the ladies on their presence. A public office belongs to no man. Graduated from Citadel Academy seventeen years ago. Connected with militia ever since. Representative from Richland four years. Author of act establishing State armory. Took seat amid applause.

J. C. Sellers, for Railroad Commissioner, saw experience as soldier boy. When 23 elected member of Legislature. Served as member of House last two years. Only candidate living on Atlantic Coast Line system. Agricultural, mercantile and manufacturing interests of his section appeal to the State for representation on railroad commission.

J. M. Sullivan came very near being born in Walhalla. Came here with father when five years old. Office of real importance to the people. Railroads touch every interest. South Carolina pays higher freight rates than any Southern State. Rates fixed by commission. It has no power; let appeal be made to General Assembly. Opposed to free passes.

J. H. Summeysett. No fault of his that he was not born in Oconee. Glad to be here. Points the dew drop and compliments his opponents. He is a worker and his name is Summeysett. He hopes to be turned into office, and then he will do business.

J. H. Wharton has been a faithful servant. Freight rates on short hauls lower than in other States. State commissioners must go before Inter-State Commerce Commission under recent Act of Congress and present their grievances.

James Cansler, of Tirzah, says: “If I can do nothing else, I can draw the salary." Nothing has been done. Will be sober 365 days in year.

Honesty and sobriety his platform.

T. G. McLeod, without opposition, bowed his respects and hoped to return as Lieutenant Governor to mingle with people.

GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES.

John T. Sloan, for Governor, glad to be here again. As a boy he breathed this pure air, and drank this water. He comes back to his own. Logical candidate for Governor. Faithful four years as Lieutenant Governor. Has done more in peace and war than all opponents. Original Piedmontese. Born here, was not imported. Nothing of the "carpetbag" about him. Sorry only one issue in campaign. Thinks dispensary best solution of liquor question. Law should be amended. If people want prohibition, high license or dispensary, let them have it. If elected Governor he would use strong arm of law to break up every blind tiger in State. Would approve prohibition law if Legislature passes it. Fought thirteen battles in the war before he was eighteen years old. Would do all he could for the soldiers and the whole State. Applause.

M. F. Ansel. Introduced as born in Charleston and raised in Oconee. Came forward amid applause. Roamed over these hills as a bare-foot boy. All the schools he ever attended were in Walhalla. Served in this Court House twelve years as Solicitor. Opposed to the system of State dispensary. Would leave it to the people of each county to say what they want. Local self-government is good Democratic doctrine. County dispensaries and county prohibition are not new measures. Georgia has the system. Favors better public schools, for ninety per cent must get their education in the country school house. Believes in liberal appropriations for the needy Confederate soldiers. Stands for the upbuilding of the grand old State of South Carolina.

"Hurrah for Ansel! Hurrah for the next Governor!" rang out in the audience, as he took his seat.

C. L. Blease was being introduced as these hurrahs were given and began by taking it for granted they were given for him and thereby created laughter, but later won applause on his own score. Would have good schools. Opposed to taxes paid by white people for education of negro race. Favors law preventing labor of children under twelve years in cotton mills. Would help Confederate soldiers. Only man in race who stands for the State dispensary system as the best solution of the liquor question. The negro buys the cheap liquor, and pays back some of the money he receives for education. Closed with applause.

Joel E. Brunson favors good schools and immigration of white people. Not a traitor to prohibition as charged by A. C. Jones, at Anderson, yesterday. Reviewed the proceedings of the Prohibition Convention in April, 1906, nominating Joel E. Brunson, for Governor, and subsequent withdrawal of nomination. Read letters and nominations that have heretofore been published and are familiar to the public. Such were his justifications. He is a Prohibitionist, and hopes at some future time to discuss the question.

W. A. Edwards pleads for better enforcement of laws. Criminal code should be strictly enforced. Magistrates and constables should be better paid. It is not a matter of more laws, but better enforcement. As a citizen he had gone into court against the strongest corporations in the State and driven them behind the government. Having done this as a citizen, as Governor he could do more. Whiskey should be degraded. Should be reduced to high license or prohibition.

A. C. Jones has kept in touch with this people. Favors State institution of higher education, appeals for support of common schools. Wants an economical administration of the government. Immigration of white people would solve the race problem. Favors State board of arbitration for settlement of disputes between labor and capital. Has always opposed the sale of whiskey in any form. State dispensary system should be abolished. As a business measure it is a miserable failure. If the pictures of corruption could be painted as it is it would make every man and woman in the State hang their head in shame. His record as a Democrat is clear. The records read by Brunson showed how true a Democrat he was. When the new State Democratic Executive Committee made its ruling, the ticket put up by the Prohibition convention was withdrawn by the Prohibition executive committee. Closed with applause.

R. I. Manning cannot claim to have been born, reared or married in so many counties as Ansel and Sloan. In the midst of so much confusion surrounding them on these matters, it is well to select another of certain and definite habitat. Let there be strict enforcement of law. The spirit of disregard of law is too widespread. Believes the State dispensary system the best solution of the liquor question. The law can be so amended as to further curtail the use of liquor and eliminate the opportunities of graft. If elected would enforce the laws as passed by the Legislature. Character must be the standard of selection of officers. Closed with applause.

J. J. McMahon eulogizes Democratic government. Voters should not be guided by the politicians. Ballots should be cast on a conviction of individual responsibility and express the free will of the citizen. Emphasizes the support of public schools.

Seven years ago, as State Superintendent of Education, he advocated the appropriation for giving every school district a term of at least three months. In every county there should be a simple duplicate of Clemson and Winthrop. These model home and farm schools would transform our land. The liquor question pales into insignificance in comparison with that of education. Believes the State dispensary principle good, but the administration rotten and disgraceful. Thinks it can be improved and further restrictions thrown around it.

J. P. Morrison, for Secretary of State, knows the duties required in that office. Advocates that law be changed so as to require that franchise fees, etc., be paid directly into office of State Treasurer.

L. M. Ragin served five years as clerk in office of Secretary of State. Did the work now done by three clerks. Is not a dyspeptic and can 'digest' the office, if given him.

M. P. Tribble says this is the second campaign meeting he has attended, having been prevented by sickness. He has been in the race all along, and will be to the finish. Served Anderson county six years as treasurer, eight years as clerk of court, six years as postmaster. Feels competent to discharge duties of the office.

R. M. McCown comes before the people on his ability, character and fitness for the position. Is fully conversant with duties to be performed. Learned school of experience, in office of Secretary of State. Fidelity to duty is his watchword. Was commended by resolution of Senate at end of thirteen years of service as clerk.

The speaking closed at 3:20. Chairman Burts complimented the audience upon its respectful hearing of the various speakers.

The crowd estimated at 400 to 500 persons.