The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-01-10
1T IS TIME TO CALL A HALT.
south Carolina Politics Tend to Anarchy
and Bloodslied.

LQ0 uuCLuASlOub VI t4O POlA1ISGA PoAo0 AZ
South Carolina. The patient, the Demo-
cratic party, is beginningto get nervous
and fidgety. She does not know how
serious her ailment is going to be, and
what is more, what ombinetion Of
troubles are liable to show themselves.
In the meanwhile she and her friends,
realize that q long giegeis 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 ambi-
tions or factional victories, but to the un-,
interested Democrat there are troublous
and stormy times ahead. There is no
use 70 say Oh, that is only newspaper
talk or Those are the views of AN
has gone from county to county, through
two cam paigns, and who keeps his ears
open and reads Alright the political move
ments of the day, must necessarily con-
clude that unlesS somebody calls q halt,
unless liEerality 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 OF the
prejudice now existing. The country
Sentiment" must be rekindled. Call 1t
name will suit; but certain leaders and
their men realize tha: the moment the
political passions are allowed to shoulder
they are without hope. More liberal
minded and conservative men, 20 matter
of what faction, will be given the reins.
There is general belief that the resolu-
lions 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
E that ssnone but Reformers will participate
In the election of delegates to the July
State Convention" has already provoked
considerable commentand dissatisfac action.
Said q State officer to me last night: "We
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 q July Convention, such
as is proposed, and will use every influ-
ence + have to defeat its purposes. There
: is now no need for such Convention.
There was, T. believe, a necessity for q
March Conventions. 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"
II the author Of this sentiment were
known it would occasion no little sur
prise, especially a. he is totally disinter-
ested.
Senator Irby and others not long ago
were enthusiastically in favor Of q March
convention at which to settle the whole
trouble and effectually crush the Guber-
material ambitions Of certain of the candi-
dates. For some reason the leaders were
afraid of this. It may have been that
influence brought this about. In q word,
If q 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 a strong
and growing sentiment against the junior
Senator retaining the leadership Of the
Democratic Executive Com mittee. There
is talk of putting q young and lndepen-
dent man at the head Of the committee.
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 seyeD hinted 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 catn-
paign.
J nst now the all-absorbing topic is who
ia to receive the Reformers' nomination
for Governor? VIII it be John Gary
Evans or Comptroller General Ellerbe,
who are lust now in the lead? VIII w.
De Witt Eyans, 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 theselection of John Gary Evans
as his successor. Whether this alleged
preference is purely personal, If 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-
gressiye.
For day or two there have been NUT
terings of kind of conference or confab
at Wright's Hotel on Friday night. The
information goes that there were about
ten good "Reformers" there and that in
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 be 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, bat his sug-
gestions'are not wanted by the good peo-
Die or liberal Reformers Of the State.
The same is applicable to Senator 1rby,
and especially as he is already in National
politics, or supposed to be there.
1t is further stated that another impor.
tant question that came up at the confer
ence was: 'Should we, as Reformers,
assume the responsibility of :athering tho
disPensary law ~ Some e Of those r present,
and they were al! invited on account OF
being thought to be leaders, were afraid
of the dispensary law, and especially the
new one. II is not popular scheme and
may lose many more votes than 1t Will
gain. The fruits of this conference may
soon be shown. The cardinal feature
was, 70 it is said, chat Tillman and Irby
we're not expected to dabble in State
politics-if they had the dictation Of the
slate it would defeat number of other
would-be Governors.
There used to be good deal said about
states. Note the views now, and those
who think they may be chosen in that
way do not seriously object, but the ma
jority of the candidates and tho rank and
file do not want any states made, and
they have duly announced their intention
of breaking any slate made by or with
tha conSent of anvhodv The pOlitician