The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-07-24
POLITICS IN SUMTER.

factions 10 the Reform party 10 this
county; one desiring peace between the
white people Of Sumter County by an
honorable compromise proposed by the
Conservatives, the other determined
to keep the spirit Of bitterness alive and
widen the breach created in former
years. The peace party was led by
H. R. Thomas, J. L. Parrot. j. T.
Hays, w. A. James, W. S James,
B P. Kelly. R. P. Stackhouse and
others. The strife stirrers we're led by
D. E. Keels. who was seconded by
L. D. Jennings. H. L B. Wells,
Walter Diukins and others.
The convention was the most dis.
orderly and unsatisfactory public meet
ing We have witnessed since 1890, and
it cannot be said that anything what
ever was accomplished. 1t is diff
cult matter for ooe to decide exactly
what conclusion to draw from the drift
Of the meeting and the expressions of
opinion made ou the floor of the con-
vention. There are but two things that
we are satisfied about:
First, that majority Of the conven-
tion fayored peace
Second. that majority would accept
20 terms Of peace that they did not
dictate.
We know that the first conclusions
is correct, for the vote on the
direct question. "Do we favor
peace iu Sumter Couuiy?" was
almost uuamious in favor of the
affirmative. And that the second
is also correct, by the repeated majority
votes rejecting the plan proposed by
the Conservative Convention.
The faction led by Capt Keels dis
played the true Reform spirit-a bitter
determination to rule or ruin. They
think that they can force the Couser-
vatives into the Irby primary and there
succeed in electing all of the six dele
gates from Sumter County: hence they
DO not consider the advantages Of peace
or the good the whole county will de-
rive from a cessation of strife. No,
they hope to rule and get Office. and
this glimmer Of hope blinds them
agains: every other consideration.
The idea that the Reformers can win
in primary in Sumter County has got
ten into the heads of the rabid Reform
ers aud they can see, or think of Doth-
ing else. 1t is mistaken idea, for all
that it is so firmly belived. If the Con-
servatives would all 60 into the primary
as they have in former years. the Re-
iorm faction would be worse whipped
than ever before. This is not au idle
boast. but q deliberate assertl on made
after careful study Of the situation.
The Reformers think that the Sumter
club has lost a great deal Of its strength
aud that the vote Of former years could
not be polled in this city. Here Is
just where they are mistaken, for we
know that if it were to come to bitter
fight, where all the people are aroused.
that the Sumter club would poll more
votes than last year. We Know what
we are talking about and if the Re-
formers do not believe it, let them in-
vestigate for themselves. When they
imagine that the Conservative faction
fears contest they deceive themselves.
A majority Of the Conservatives be-
lieve it is to the best interest of the
county, that there be no fight this
year, as there was 20 organization
for a fight all over the State,
and no reasonable grounds for hope that
the control Of the convention could be
taken from the Reformers. For this
reason we advocated division of the
delegation iu this county, and not be-
cause we we're doubtful Of the result o'
contest.
There is no use discussing the proba-
bic result of primary, for primary is
out of the question as far as we are con-
! cerned, for the reasons given heretofore
and We are fully satisfied that very
many of the Conservatives, if not q