Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-01
SOUTH CAROLINA POLITICS.
Effects Of Gov. Thompson's Appoint
ment on the State Campaign.

meDt on the State Campaign.
CHARLESTON, June 30.-The appoint
ment of Gov. Thompson to be Assistant
Secretary Of the Treasury and the accept
ance by him of the office, has relieved
considerably the stringency OF the politi-
cal situation in this State. For that the
situation was stringent scarcely admits
of doubt. Gov. Thompson has served
two terms, and while every one admits
that South Carolina never had better
Governor, still the inherent objection to
third terms, which seems to be peculiar to
the American citizen, is shared by Caro-
linians. Gov. Thompson, too, is poor in
the goods OF this world, and the people or
South Carolina owed him too much to
permit him to return to the shades OF
private life unproyided for. The usual
channel of promotion for Governor
IN South Carolina is to the
channel is closed to Gov. Thompson, be-
cause it is generally accepted that Hamp-
ton and Butler have life tenures OF these
offices. The Governor, too, in Difference
to the high position which he had filled,
was limited as to the character of the
office which he could accept.
THE SECRET OF HIS REFUsALs.
1t is understood that this consideration
induced him to decline the two Federal
positions which had been previously ten
dered him. Under the circumstances
there seemed to be nothing left for the
Democrats of the State but to nominate
him for third term when President
Cleveland came to the rescue and relieved
the strained situation by rendering to
him the appointment OF Assistant
Secretary oil the Treasury. 1t is an
open secret here that the Governor was
selected for the place because he was
thoroughly in accord with the President
on the subject OF civil service reform, and
as the control of nearly all the appoint
ments in the department will come within
the line of Gov. Thompson's duties the
reason for the appointment is apparent.
While this appointment simplites mat
tiers somewhat, however, there Is still
promise OF other complications in the
race for Governor. Of course Lieut.. Gov.
Shepherd will qualify as Governor as soon
as GOV. Thompson resigns, which, it is
understood, will be next week. This
makes Lieut.. Gov. Shepherd an active
possibility as GubernatOrial candidate.
Now the Lieutenant Governor, while
strictly in the line of succession, has not
been looked upon in the light of a promi-
nent candidate for Governor.
NOT GUBERNAToRIAL TIMBER.
uOu huOW uOh " uGSCIlD6 Lue StGuEo
Jion except by SAYING that he is not ex-
actly of the stuff of which it has been the
custom in South Carolina to construct
Governors. He is young man, a la wyer
of considerable parts, but not of peculiar
brilllancy, and his elevation to the DO
sitiOn which he now holds was due prin-
cipally TO the bold stand he took during
the revolution of 1876, when be was a
member of the Wallace House. This
frpf hUe11 nf l-A- -
House Of Representatives when Wallace
was elected Circuit Judge, and he was
subsequently promoted to the Lieutenant
Govern0rship. There seemed to be a gen.
eral feeling, however, that this was as
high as he would rise. Being now Gov
ernor, the situation is changed, and he
looms up as very prominent figure in
the canvass.
AS has been stated in this correspond
ence. there are several other possible can
didates whose names have been men,
toned, although as yet there has been no
active canvass, such as is now going on
in Georgia. Col. John Peter Richardson,
the present State Treasurer, is spoken of
favOrably and is very popular. The Lips
comb brothers, one sbelng Secretary of
state and the other Superintendent of the
State penitentlary, are supposed to
have the agricultural influence, which
threatens to be an important factor in the
campaign at their back.
MAYOR CoURTENAY's POSITION.
Mayor Courtenay, of Charleston, who
is now in Europe, has written a letter in
which he states that he does not seek the
office, but does not state that he could not
be prevailed upon TO accept it. His nom
nation. however, will have to come from
the up country, as it is not probable that
he can secure the votes of his own delega-
ton. The Srate.ConVention Will be held in
August. 1t is not probable that in
structed delegates will be sent, as this
is not the custom of Democrats in this
State. The race before the convention
will be free-fOr-all one, and at this stage
the most astute politician in the State
would be utterly unable to venture pre-
dictIon as to the result.