The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1884-02-21
[Letter to the Netos and Courier.

Y.
COLUMBIA, February lat is very
early In the political year, but already
the chances of the candidates for the
Democratic nominations for State
Offices and for Congress are under dis
cassion, and there is i'm the field a
goodly array of Carolinians who will
consent to serve the State and their
country if they arc required to do so.
In other words, in the political par-
lance OF tho day, "Thcy are in tho
hands Of their friends"
The probabilities arc that there will
be no opposition whatever to the re-
nomination of Governor Thompson.
A number of articles on the subject
nave appeared in the county news
papers, but nowhere has there been
any suggestion of opposing the renomi-
nation OF the present Governor, who
Eas gwen general satisfaction bv the
courtesy, Intelligence and tho un-
Wavering fidelity with which hc has
discharged the duties of his imDortamt
ONCE. Tho single objection made to
him is that of tho Abbcville Press and
Hammer, which does not want any
uan as Governor who is an enthusiast
on the subject Of popular education.
There is little feeling of this sort I'm the
State, and what is treated by the Press
ana Banner AS an objection is. in the
eyes OF most people, strong recon-
mendation. If it were not, the Gov
ernor's opinions on the subject would
not be an objection to him for the rca.
son that the Governor has no power
whatever in the matter. Tho State
constitution makes it obligatory to
support the public schools, and II is
the Legislature which has control of
the subject, except so far as the Con-
stitution prcscribes the minimum tax
that shall be levied. 1t had been hint
cd that Governor Thompson might be-
come candidate for Congress this
year, but there is the best authority
for saying that under no circumstances
will he accept the nomination for Con-
gress, and that he will consider it II
high honor If he shall be rcnominotod
and reelected as Governor.
There will be considerable stir i'm
three of the Democratic Congressional
districts this summer. 1t is no secret
that Congressman John III. Evins, of
the Fourth District, is in bad health,
ana he will not be Il candidate for re-
election. The State has no better rep
rcsentative in Congress than\ Colonel
Evins, and his inability to serve the
State any longer will be u serious pub
lie losa. There is no doubt that he has
won the respect and confidence of the
Republicans as well as Democrats as
IN able and hard working member of
congress. llo is now serving his
IoSs:t torm and would probably have
I.
been candidha~ There are several
candidates in prospect. Richland has
cx-Attorney General IVY: 1oumans
and Col. Wm. Wallace. FinNtlc!ld il
expected to put forward the name of
Col. u. w. Woodward, but that iovia
ana nnreconstructed gentlcuam de-
clares that he will not be candidate
ngain. Grcenvillc will have two can-
didates, Mr.. james l.. Orr and Col. w.
IL. Perry, the eldest SON of cx-Goyer-
nor Ii: #. Perry. Spartanburg will
probably enter rs II candidate Col. ID.
*. Duncan, now the circuit solicitor,
ana who was the man who, as prcsi-
ucit OF the company, carried the
Spnrtanbure and Ashcvillc Railroad
across the Blue Ridge. Union, like
SpartanDurg, will have but one candi-
date, and he will be Col. |. G. McKis-
SICK. There is plenty of room for
speculation as to the chances of The
several gentlemen spoken of, but not
more imam three OF them arc expected
TO develop any considerable strength.
The present REPRESENTATIVE Of thc
Third District is Col. ID. WYATT Aiken.
who Is serving his fourth term, and is
candidate for rcuOlnination. There
is not much likelihood that he will be
opposed in his own county, though il
has been limited that there may be
aspirants there. Ncwbcrry will have
"a candidate in the person of the Hon.
George J2hnStone, who is chairman of
the committee of ways and means of
the tiouse OF Representative of the
State: Oconcc and Pickens have sug-
ScSted no candi:latcs SO far. 1t is re.
ported that Anderson will put in the
field MIR. +. B. MURRAY, the editor of
*'ic> Anderson Intcl2iqencer and one of
the most active members of the House
OF Representatives.
The Second District IS now rcprc-
scnted by Mr.. George ID. Tillman. of
Edgeheld, and his denomination will |
not be opposed, il is thought, in his
own county. There may be opposition
to him in Hampton and BarnwclI, az
well as in Aiken. In Barnwell State
Senator Lartigue is talked of MS a
probable candidate, and kom Aiken
Two gentlemen of merit are named--
State Senator ID. S Henderson and
Representative G. w. Croft.
The Fifth aud Sixth Districts arc
represented by Mcssrs John J. Hemp
mn and George w. Dargam rcspcctive-
". These gentlemen are now serving !
their first term, having been elected in |
1857, under the Act rc-tlistrictimg the
state. They have given satisfaction to
their constituents, aud will be renomi-
mated without opposition.
In the affairs of tho Seventh, or
Black District, the Democrats do not
take much interest. The general
opinion is that Robert Smalls, The con.
Vieted bribe4taker, will be nominated
without much difficulty, but this is bv
no means tho fact. There is strong
opposition to Sinalls because of his bad
public character, and serious effort
will he made to secnra the nominot;nn