The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1892-08-17
Watching Their Chance.

a.
Tb}rd marty is hanging over the political
nnity of the Democracy In South Caro-
lima like the sword of Damocles. A slight
stir in q certain direction will bring the
sword down with all of its force, but
whether the blow will strike anything Is
the all-important question.
There is no mistaking the fact that
there is a decided Third party sentiment
in this State among certain class OF AL
lance men. A census Of the present
dominant element in politics in this State
will show that fully go per cent OF its
strength is made up of Ultra Alliance
men. the balance being Chronic office
seekers, who have never been successful
with any Of the other parties, and Green
backers.
This morning had talk with one OF
the most pronounced Third partyites in
the State. He said that the strength OF
the movement in South Carolina was
yery much underestimated. At the
first poll it would be seen that
there is very much more dissatisf-
action with existing parties than
many anticipated. The Piedmont sec.
tion would show the strongest Third
party strength. He accounted for 1t by
saving that the people of the up-country
we're worked up over the intolerance of
The parties of the day, and that there has
been o spirit and tendency against the
present parties as far back as 1884.
$ "Will there be Third party conven-
ton ?" was asked.
"Well, that IS matter yet to he decid.
ed and depends upon circumstances. l
do not know that any definite plans have
been made. South Carolina will proba-
bly do something, as every other South
ern State has taken action. Most OF the
States have already had conventions and
nominated electors, and others haye gone
80 far as to place ticket In the field.
South Carolina may do like Georgia,
nominate the electors at large in conven-
ton and let lthe Congressional districts
select their own electors. There is 9
great deal going on that cannot be told
fust now, but I suppose the time will
soon come when everybody will know
what is going on"
There is one thing that has placed the
Third partyites in rather awkward po,,
sition. There are men who are supposed
to be Third partyites who are running
for Congressional and other offices.
Should these men be successful In the
primaries there is no necessity for their
declaring for the Third party, and in the
event of their defeat there is strong
prospect of their coming to the rescue Of
the recognized Third party workers.
4 POWER IN POLITICS,
While the Anti-Prohibltib element In
South Carolina is having very little to say,
and is not taking any active part In the
campaign, it is pretty safe to say that Its
influence Is going to be seriously. felt
sooner or later. The liquor dealers have
a strong following of men who believe
that the prohibitory laws would be an
abridgmert of their liberties and who
would 70 almost as far as the liquor men,
whose bread and butter depends on the
continuance Of the liquor traffic. The
Anti -Prohibitionists expect that there
will be large proportion OF voters who
will not take any hand in the prohibition
fight, and not even take the trouble to
cast ballot one way or another. The
"town" vote, it is generally thought, will
be favorable to the liquor interest.
CAN HE KEEP HIS HANDS OFF.
The report that Governor Tillman Is In
teresting himself in behalf of Mr.. w. q.
Benet is not given much crsdence among
the State house officials. They think
that Governor Tillman will hardly inter-
fere with the award Of the office OF At
torney General. It is not thought that
he can do himself any good by favoring
any particular candidate, Assistant At
torney General Townsend is in the race
to stay and is making quiet canvass.
He has been in Columbia for the past
week, and he says that he han been get
ting up every morning before daybreak
to try and clear up the accumulated busl-
ness of the office. He expects to join the
campaign party next week.