The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-09-29
POLITICAL PROPHECY.
Distant Rumblings of Political
Cloud, Which May Terminate in
Ouite n Shower of GubernatiOnal
Candidates for '9S.
The Columbia Record.


I can't see through milestone unless there
is a hole in it," said prominent politician
this morning, "but can see as far into IL as
any other man." "
As the prominent politician aforesaid Is
man who closely watches the cob and flow OF
the political tide and really talks without
knowing what he is talking about, the re-
porter pricked up his ears and paid close al
ten tion TO what followed. .
II don't mind spinning little yarn, provla-
ed my identity is not revealed. with your
promise TO that effect will proceed. AT the
very outset will admit thatI do not know
have some la:tS and l think 1 have filled in
the outlines correctly. At any rate, purpose
now. months before 1t opens, to outline tue
next political fight in this state. 1 am not
asking any body TO believe what say, but l
10 ask that those who will read my remarks
snail stamp them on th cir memories and. alter
he campaign of 1898 is over say whether or
not am true prophet. firmly beileve tnat
THAT is a rather long preface, but let tnat
pass. l have read how some Conservative pa
pers-perhaps l should say, former ConserVa-
tive In order to please my friend Gonzsles-
are booming o. l. Schumpert for governor:
will others express the opinion that Uncle
George Tillman would make an aomlraole
chief executive. During the next few moptns'
or until after the next session OF the legisla.
ture, 1 expect TO see most OF the Conservative
papers carry on a smooth discussion OF me
comparative merit of Tillman ,Schumpert ana
didates. This one will assent that Schumpert
| is the strongest possible candidate, another
will claim that Col. G. D. Tillman is the
declare %Sis av"aSs 1aSs some @aa s other % mus
make the race If victory is to be won. "!
| think-mind you, only think DO not assert
that during this time the Stale Will pose as
quasi defender and apologize for Governor
! Ellerbe, but do not think 1t will DO for MIN
what 1t has done for McLaurtn. that is use its
| influence to keep Conservative candidates
| HI q
however, while matters political are still IN
somewhat nobulous state. II will act as sort
Of buffer between Governor Elleroe and al
verse criticism Of his official acts.
"Now, ! think it will be generally admlIteo
| that while the couservatives-or former Con-
servative's-differ on various things, on one
they are unit. They have not much ooJec-
tion TO q division OF offices with Reformers OF
| the Forty stripe even II the Reformers get the
| lions share, but when 1t comes TO Ben I'LL
man holding office every mothers son OF
them is 'agin' him. That Is one point Whlch
! those who may take issue with me Will not
dare 10 support. While there are number OF
| Reformers whom the mass; OF Conservatives
| pect and esteem and have no especlal oo-
state W no classes himself as Conservative or
| former Conservative is willing 10 move
heaven and earth 10 compass the defeat ana
downfall of Ben Tilln1an, the we'll spring OF
| all their woes. real or fanced.
ITO defeat Ben T!lman, his opponents con-
ceive that 1t Is necessary for one who sympath-
ICES with their purposes to be governor OF
the stale when Tillman runs for re-election
! in 1900, for even the least exreiienced pollti-
clan appreciates the power OF state admin
! lstration.
Even IL Ellerbe were willing TO aid the
plans OF those who say of Tillman as the
| Roman orator said of Carthage, 'he must be
destroyed do not think the Conservatives
would support him for reelection, for they 90
not regard his staying qualities without sus'
plcion and they think his political back bone
is not much sitter than paper string. They
regard his course In Office as an attempt 70
run with the hare and hold back with the
hounds and confess their appointment In
him. II Bill Ellerbe had the brains and back
bone TO give his dmipistration an individ-
uality and carry out and pursue policy OF
his own which would distinguish him from
his Two predecessors, he would have been the
strongest man in the state and the natural
candidate for the United States Senates In
1900 of all those who will concentrate their
support upon him who seems most able TO
cope with Tillman. They have lost faith IN
ElleIbe and he cuts but small figure In their
plans. They will use him as long as they can
and then throw him aside With scarcely re-
gret:
son Of noble sire-wlll, l believe. appear in
the field next year as gubernatorial asplr.
ant. have reason to think that some sort OF
a con ference has been held In this State recen-
tly and that it was the deliberate Judgment OF
that conference that MCGOWAN should make
the race for governor next year. keeping
quiet until time TO enter the campaign, the
papers intend 10 support him, amusing them.
selves as best they can In the meantime by
literally indulging in that good old sport call
ed throwing dust in the public eye. But the
public is not gulled near az often as is some
times thought. Abe Lincoln's aphorism ABOUT
fooling the people Is undoubtedly true.
"Yes, MCGOWAN, believe. will be a candi-
date against Ellerbe, The runs for reelection,
and will poll the bulk Of the Conservative
vote and right sharp Sprpkling Of RefOr-
mers. Ellerbe has made enemies In his own
faction, not only among men Of the Irby-
Evans stripe, but also among members of
that wing OF his faction to which he has be.
longed. The day has passed In this state
when men will vote for q candidate whom
they do not like, simply because he IL men,
ber OF the faction to which they belong. Re-
formers who do not like Elerbe will vote for
McGowan If no other candidate offers, while
Conservatives who do not like MCGOWAN Will
go fishing.
Sill. j.. Childs runs as a prohibition can.
following than In McGowan'S.
"rhe reason for that assertion Is that
|, know that more Reformers than Conserva-
tiveS favor prohibition,
How Will such race as / have described
; turn out. 1t is too early yet to say, hut am
sure no one will want to give odds on II.
Later on l may talk with you again and el.
, ucdate still further my ideas of the CUB
ed to talk about Tillmans chances OF sue
ceeding himself
"The tip have given you about MCGOWAN
is straight goods. got wind OF it from a re,
liable quarter. The Conservatives expect
great things OF him. 1t is too early 10 fore
cast results until after the holding of the last
session of the Legislature prior to opening the
, campaign, BY then the issues are shaped
the deals made, the trades effected, the states
q formed the wires land and everything put In
snaps for the work of getting offices.
watch McGowan. He is the coming stal
in the Conservative armament"