The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-09-19
The Election for Clerk.


for the last several days on the subject Of the
election for Clerk Of the Court. Politicians
prospective candidates, and news .gatherers
have been in crowds, talking of the situation
and speculating ON the probable result. The
following persons have up to this time declar
ed themselves as candidates, and we nave
been authorized to make the announcements
in the order In which they are named below
Capt. E. Cowan.
2 4. NJ. Aiken.
Capt. Wade E. Cothran.
Gen. r. r. Hemphill.
L. D. Connor.
DR.. ]. w. Wldeman.
w. T. Mcdonald.
Thos. L. Moore.
The names of many other citizens have
been mentioned In connection with the office,
but we have not been authorized to connect
their names with the candidacy.
Il will be noticed that Senator HemphilPs g
name apbears among the list Of candidates
for Clerk. In case he should be elected to the
office for which he now declares himself
candidate then we would have an election for
Senator to fill the vacancy which would occur
on his resignation. w. II. Parker, ESQ.,. Colo
mel Eugene B. Gary and w. o. Bradley, ESQ.,,
have been suggested as probable or possible
candidates for Senator, II the vacancy should
occur. The reader will understand that we
are not authorized to say that either would
be candidate. In this statement we merely
give the idle talk on the street, without CIV
ing authoritative expression from either OF
the gentlemen named.
The question has been raised as to whether
Senator Hemphill should resign before he
runs for the Office Of Clerk Of the Court
There is a wide difference Of opinion as to
what he should do. A number have been
very pronounced in their expressions that he
should resign, and the opinion has been ad-
yanced that be could not possibly be elected
Clerk while holding on to the place OF Sena'
tor.
On the other hand, 1t is said by some that
he should not resign; that the fact Of his cleo.
ton to Clerk Of the Court would make an
opening for Senatorial aspirants, and that the
prospective candidates for Senator, and their
respective friends, whatever may be their per-
sonal preferences, for this reason alone would
throw no stone in Senator Hemphills way.
The example Of Judge Cothran is supported
in the view that there Is no necessity for q
resignation. Judge Cothran was elevated to
the Bench while Solicitor, and he was after
wards elected to Congress while on the Bench.
1t is further urged in support OF this view,
that Judge MCGOWAN was elected to the Su'
preme Bench while member OF the General
Assembly, and that later Mr.. Parker was
candidate for Judicial honors while holding
seat In the House Of Representatives..
Speaking for ourself it seems that the prece-
dents and the results would not favor resig
nation.
Whatever fate may have come upon those
who have heretofore held on to their offices
while running for other offices, 1t would seem
that the fates are against those who do resign.
Just now we do not recall single instance
where the officer who has resigned, has been
elected to another office.
But right or wrong, Senator Hemphill pro-
poses to settle the question for himself When
asked II he was going TO resign. he replied
that he "had no idea Of doing so."
And here we rest.