The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-01-17
1T Is TIME TO CALL A HALT.
South Carolina Politics Tend to Anarchy
and Bloodshed.

South Carolina Politics Tend to Anarchy
and Bloodshed.
COLUMBIA, S. c., January 7.-Nothing
could be more interesting than to note
the fluctuations of the political pulse in
South Carolina. The patient, the Demo-
cratic party, is beginning to get nervous
and fidgety. She does not know how
serious her ailment is going to be, and
what is more, what a combination of
troubles are liable to show themselves.
In the meanwhile she and her friends,
realize that along SIEGE is ahead, and very
naturally are worried, not as to the ulti-
mate result, but the condition of the
patient during the summer season.
Leaving all medical Jurisprudence to
one side, and looking at the situation in
plain everyday way, one cannot but
realize that the political prospects in this
State are anything but pleasant, They
may be encouraging for individual ambl-
tions or factional victories, but to the un-
interested Democrat there are troublous
and stormy times ahead. There is no
use to say, ooh, that is only newspaper
talk" or "Those are the views OF an
alarmist." 1t is not so. Anyone who
has gone from county to county, through
two campaigns, and who keeps his ears
open and reads Alright the political move
ments of the day, must necessarily con-
clude that unless somebody calls halt,
unless liberality is shown, there is
political tempest ahead. Men are going
into the campaign this year with the
expressed intention of allowing no
abusive or insulting language towards
themselves.
The political actions of the majority for
the past two years have not been directed
towards healing the breach. That would
be poor politics in the eyes OF the ortho-
dox Reformer. The lines must, they
think, be sharply drawn; their political
success depends upon the life ol the
prejudice now existing, The country
sentiment" must be rekindled. Call it
Alliance sentiment if you please; any
name will suit; but certain leaders and
their men realize that the moment the
political passions are allowed to shoulder
they are without hope. More liberal
minded and conservative men, no matter
of what faction, will be given the reins.
There is general belief that the resolu-
tions adopted at Laurens outline the
present policy of the Irby wing eff the Re-
form Movement. That sufficient press
ure will be brought to force change in
the programme is possible. The clause
that ''none but Reformers will participate
in the election of delegates to the July
State Convention has already provoked
G )nsiderable comment and dissatisfaction.
SaId Il ) ate officer 10 .iIC ,ilst Df!Shi: I'VE
have nothing but Democratic clubs in
this State. The minority has come in
with us, Joined our ranks as members Of
our clubs and submitted to defeat. We
cannot now throw them overheard. I
am opposed to July Convention, such
as is proposed. and will use every infiu-
ence have to defeat its purposes. There
is now no need for such a Convention.
There was, believe, necessity for
March Convention. We then had plat
form to adopt and principles to announce;
we cannot consistently hold factional
Convention to nominate or suggest any
candidate. The whole thing is wrong"
If the author of this sentiment were
known it would occasion no little sur
prise, especially as he is totally disinter-
ested.
Senator Irby and others not long ago
were enthusiastically in favor of March
convention at which to settle the whole
trouble and etfectually crush the Guber-
material ambitions of certain of the candl-
dates. For some reason the leaders were
afraid of this. It may have been that
combination of Anti-John Gary Eyans
influence brought this about. In word,
if convention were held within the next
few weeks it would be John Gary Evans
against the field. How things may
change within few months no one can
tell.
While on the topic of Senator Irby's
july convention scheme it might be
interesting to say that there is strong
and growing sentiment against the junior
s ,nator retaining the leadership of the
Democratic Executive Committee. There
is talk of putting young and indepen-
dent man at the head of the mmittee.
The county press is not demonstratively
in favor of the retention of Senator 1rby,
and it is even suggested that the local
organ would not be head-over-heels in
sorrow if some one else were elected.
What has it to say? It is even binted that
one Of the questions to be asked Governor
Tillman in his candidacy for Senator is
whether he expects to have Mr.. Irby
conduct and be responsible for his cam
paign.
Just now the all-absorbing topic is who
ia to receive the Retormers' nomination
for Governor? Will it be John Gary
Evans or Comptroller General Ellerbe,
who are Just now in the lead? VIII w.
De Witt Evans, Of Marlboro, or Secretary
of State Tindal, or DR.. Sampson Pope
forge ahead? Up to this time there are
five entries. Whether they will all be at
the finish is not known. With or with
out reason, Governor Tillman is supposed
to favor the selection Of John Gary Evans
as his successor. Whether this alleged
preference is purely personal, it that, or
whether it will extend to political sup
port, has not been developed, the occasion
has not arisen. The Governors prefer
ence, it is argued, is on account of the
aggressive, daring tactics Of the Senator
from Aiken. Mr.. Ellerbe is also said to
be favorite. Both are young and ag-
gressive.
For day or two there have been mutt
terincs of kind of conference or coDfab
at Wright's Hotel on Friday night. The
information goes that there were about
ten good "Reformers" there and that in a
general way they talked over the situa-
ton and came to some conclusions. One
of the topics, so it is said, was this: Gov
ernor Tillman, if he is to be candidate
for the United States Senate, ought to be
made to understand that he has no right
to interfere with or influence State affairs
or nominations. He ought to restrict
himself to discussion of National affairs
and be "hands off" on State politics. He
can stand by and look on, but his sug-
gestions are not wanted by the good peo-
pie or liberal Reformers of the State.
The same is applicable to Senator Irby.
and especially as lie i Nj aatly in National
politics, or supposed to be there.
1t is further stated that another impor-
tant question that cane up at the confer
ence was: "Should We, as Reformers,
assume the responsibility of fathering the
dispensary law ?" Some of those present,
and they were all invited on account Of
ho;,,. +l,o,rbf fo ha 1ao6ars wara afraid