The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1890-07-02
Ex-MAYoR coURTENAY's VIEWS.
His Letter Declining to be IL Candidate for
Gf;cc-A Review cf praScnt Conditions

His Letter Declining to be II Candidate for
G'tcc-A Review of Present Conditions.
J. J. HULL, EsQ.-My Dear Sil: l
recall with pleasure your friendly
announcement, on behalf of the citi-
zens Of Rock Hill, four years ago, and
renewed in 1888, proposing my can
didacy for Governor of'South Carolina.
While absent tcmporarilyin Alabama
last spring I received q copy of your
paper renewing the nomination for
1890. AS the evidence of friendly re
gard by the citizens OF Rock Hill,
these several mentions of my name
for the executive Office have been
highly appreciatedan and greatly valued
be Inc, coming, as they do, from a
community in the front rank Of pro
gressive South Carolina cities, NOV
ing forward on the correct lines of
industrial and business development
"a suggestive example, worthy OF
imitation.
I looked forward to tlis campaign
as presenting favorable opportunity
to discuss important party methods
and matters Of grave public concern
to the State. Both call imperatively
for reform. The canvass has been
initiated, however, and the issues are
seemingly madeup on certain personal
lines. What, in my humble opinion,
should have invited temperate dis
cussion by the best thought and ex-
perience of our State, has been un-
wisely forced into a purely personal
issue, marked by misrepresentation
and invective.
Disguise it as we may, there arc
large questions in South Carolina to
be wisely solved, pressing public mat
ters evolved by the slow growth of
many years, either originating in an
tiquated precedent, or founded in an
imported constitution. To such high
plane this years canvass should have
been raised and might have been ele-
waited, but has not been; only Oh en-
forced personal campaign is in pro-
gress. Nevertheless, it's general direc-
ton is toward reform, and the onl y
proper course now, in my opinion, IS
to surround itwith every conciliatory
influence and wisest counsel. The
ultimate result cannot bring harm to
South Carolina, if prudent manage
ment of the canvass IS mutually
agreed upon, with recognition OF the
fact that conciliatory language is bet
| 10, 4bo,, ,,,o,,o 14oI oh
The excitement of the canvass Will
presumably run its course, and the
September Convention will finally
decide for the whole party. Then
will come season of quiet and rest:
a time for calm reflection, which.
wisely used, can be utilized to the
benefit of the party and the State.
You ale well aware that l have not
at any time been ansactive candidate
for Governor. My position, publicly
stated, has been, that I would take
no step to that end, and yet I have
felt, and have frankly said, that ]
would not decline a se1yice-call which
I felt came from a majority Of the
party, in responding to which I might
be useful
Under the circumstances, and II
the present condition of the campaign
in the State, I would ask that you
discontinue the mention of nay name
for Governor ID your valued journal
With renewed thanks to my Rock
Hill friends, whose good wishes
value, and in the hope that unof
cially I may be of use to our party
and people, at all times I am yours
respectfully, WV. A. CoURTESEY.
Oh arleston, S. c., June IA.