The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1894-01-24
a fractional Convention.

tain quarters of the Reform camp, and
the cause appears to be that some Of
the prominent men in the faction are
scrambling for the shoes that Cover
nor Tillman will cast aside when his
present term Of office expires. These
scrambles are natural where there are
so many ambitious men, and so many
that are true to the cause. Each one
feels his fitness for the place, and
each one thinks his claim for past
services should be rewarded. To be
an asp;rant for the high Office OF
Governor is laudable ambition. and
we are glad to see so much available
timber in our ranks. 1t would, in
deed, be deplorable condition il our
ranks did not contain the necessary
material to make fit successor to our
present governor. The Reform
faction has plenty Of good
and true men to take up the
standard and carry it on to a
triumphant victory in the coming
election, but the difficulty is in fixing
a proper and satisfactory time to con-
slider the claims Of the aspirants.
Some think the various aspirants
should 20 before the people, and after
a tour Of the State call a convention to
select ticket for the primary election.
Those thinking this way argue that it
would give the people an opportunity
Of forming their own conclusions and
better be enabled to mako a selection.
Others think such course would be
annoying the people with too much
politics and tire them out before the
important battle comes on.
Then there are some who have
studied the conditions carefully and
claim to understand the temper Of the
people; they want convention called
together in March for the purpose OF
adopting a platform and selecting
suitable men to stand upon it. The
argument for this plan is that a March
convention would settle the differ
ences existing among the rank and
file Of the Reform Movement, and it
would close up any gaps that may
now be open.
Then there is another matter which
is causing considerable discussion IN
our ranks. That is, who shall call a
convention. One element wants a
convention called by Hon. G. W. Shell,
and another objects and charges Mr..
Shell with having proven untrue to
to the faction. Then objections come
from some who say that Mr.. Bowden,
editor OF the Cotton Plant, must not
have u say in the Reform conferences,
because he is an ayowed Third party
man.
HMr. Shell has been untrue to the
faction that made him what he is,
those objecting to him on this ground
are right, and he should not be called
upon to call and preside over a con-
vention Of our faction. Whether he
has been true or not the fact remains
that his being placed in a leading
position does not meet with the ap
proval Of a large body Of Reformers
and his being placed in such posi-
ton would be calculated to bring
about dissatisfaction. Harmony is
what is needed to make our Move
ment success and nothing should be
done that willpo be satisfactory. Il
is a well-known fact that Senator Irby
and Congressman Shell are not on the
best OF terms and should those un
friendly to Irby place Shell in a lead
ing position no good can result. anc
much harm may follow. Sen
ator Irby has been indiscree'
in some things OF a personal
nature and the people do moi
approve OF his indiscretions, bul
at the same time he has been as true
as steel and his whole heart is wrap.
ped up in the Reform Movement
Not even his enemies have ever charg
ed him with unfaithfulness. There
fore it would be the height Of folly tc
put forward Shell, whose very pres
ence in the lead would be so humil.
iating to Irby and his host OF friends
as TO make them feel unwelcome in
the ranks they fought so hard in.
The Reform faction is a ,Rajority
portion OF the Democratic party ol
this State, and ws agree with the Anti.
Bowden mep That Mr.. Bowden should
not be recognized as leader in our
ranks He lie third party man, out
and out, and in the last election voted
against the Democratic ticket. II
Mr.. Bowden wants to become lead.
er let him call together the third
partyites Of the State and confer with
them. The Reform faction does not
need him in their business
Probably it is well these matters are
being aeitated in order for the people
to go to thinking. If these things
were allowed to rock quietly on with
out the peoples attention being called
to it, there is no telling what the re.
suit would be and how long the
government would be- retained in the
hands OF the Democratic party. 1t is
Just such discussions that awaken the
people and start them of to putting
things in proper shape.
We believe it is for the best interests
Of the people that a con.
yention be called between now
and May, and in order to
keep down dissensions in our ranks
let the faction be represented by one
or two Reformers from each county in
the State who will meet in Columbia