The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-03-27

The matter most discus. on the streets
for the past few day has been the
scramble that Is being made for the
vacant Cl-rkshir. There are no, less
than ten persons who are announced
rs candidates for the position made vacant by
the death Of Col. Graham, while there are
rumors Of still other candidates who will
eut-r the race. All of the candidates are
working, and their friends are working,
for them with an earnestness that would
lead a disinterested on-looker to imagine
that muuh more than An Office, that pays a
very nice salary, depended upon the suc-
cess or failure of some particular candidate.
There were several of the candidates
in Columbia Friday, say the Columbia pa
pers, pressing their claims before Gov. Evans.
The old saying, that it is good to be 5000
seems TO be fully appreciated by the caudi-
dates for the elerkship, and they are aot Civ
ing the grass time to grow under their feet in
the effort 10 step into Col. Grabam's shoes.
There was 4 large crowd in town to-day and
the unseemly haste displayed by the whole
crowd Of candidates to be early in the field
was freely condemned 10 all sides, and if
it was left TO a vote it is doubtful If some OF
the %"soon'' candidates would be in the race
AT all. But it is useless TO become wroth
with humanity. for Of CLAY it is made and the
scramble for Office is characteristic Of poll
tics
To a person that is interested in observing
the vaxarieS of hnman nature Sumter is 4
most fertile field for observation. The candi-
da ties. each and every one have the most
plausible reasons why they will be appointed
and they are satisfied in their minds that
Gov. Evans canoot fill to be impressed with
these reasons in such u forcible manner that
he will. %pertorce, appoint the particular candi-
daie III once when The application Is laid be-
fore him. One candidate is morally certain
he will get The coveted plum because be has
ALWAYS reen n rank Reformsr and has been
An unsuccessful candidate for every office IN
sight, always. Of course, for the good OF the
movement with no %ulterior designs on The
salaries and perquisities Of the offices tried
for another candidate is satisfied that be
Will hear of his appointment because be has
been such an active supporter of the movement
that he has succeeded in obtaining office in
the past notwithstanding that this is a
straightout county-such success meriting, Of
course, a continuance in Office another has
been a Reformer for years but has never been
Il CdUUIudtC, : tbOOEi
TO lead a f%orlorne hope against the
bearance in the past gives him a gas-pipe
cinch on the appointment; still another has
labored to cultivate in the unfavorahle soil of
the city of Sumter the plant reform, and has,
for so doing, imagined himself the victim of
a species of social ostracism, therefore day OF
reward is at hand, the year of jubilee is come;
vet another is a reformer who hiss long sui
tered in secret the torture opposing as a
straightout while his swelling bosom was all
but bursting with alteration Of the principles
of reform-such martyrdom will now ce re-
warded; another has run for elective offices
when the campaigns were on and for ap-
p%oinrve when the campaigns ended in
defeat, sometimes getting the latter, which
encourages the fond belief that oCce again
will the Executive mark him AS the chose1
one; and so on I'd nsuseum, almost ad in6ni-
tum.
Tie movement to induce Gov. Evans to ap-
point Mr.. W. VI. Graham Clerk of Court
for the unexpired term to which the people
Of the county elected Col. j. D. Graham is
growing in favor with the people Of this
city and county. The influence Of this senti-
ment has become so great tina; Several Of the
candidates have expressed a Willingness 10
withdraw IN favor OF Mr. Graham. II
would be a graceful thing for Coz. Evans
to do, and there is no reason why he should
not, for The once, lay aside the question OF poll
teal e1pediency and make an appointment
that would give more general satisfaction
than any other he could make. OF course
the politicians of the Reform faction and
the candidates who are eager for the Office
would be dissatisfied and would protest that
Gov. Evans had betrayed his friends, but
niae-tenths Of the citizens Of Sumter County,
irrespective of faction, would be pleased, and
this should have weight Nth Governor who
has the lie. t desire 10 be Tue Chief Executive
of q people rather than the leader OF a ring
of politicians.