The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-03-30
RECENT CHANGES HELP ELLERBE.
Political Events of the Past Week Re"
Ylewed-Effect OF the Prohibition
tanaticism = The Scales are
Dropping from Ayers

Columbia, S. c., March 2G.-The
changes on the political horizon
might be well compared to kleido-
scopic pictures. The ever changing
views presented grow more interest
ing as the lights and shadows come
and 60 and the various elements OF
the picture constantly rearrange
themselves in groups, now beautiful
in their symmetry, now grotesque IN
thir angularity.
Two weeks ago with possible
coalescence of prohibition and loca!
option forces in prospect, it seemed
that the result of the summers cam
paign was settled, now 10! a change.
Possibly in the pride of power, pos
sibly instigated by some other I'M
pulse known only to fanatlclsm the
prohibitionists have shown them
selves stif-necked in this matter, and
their chances of success have OWN
died to shadow. In the unchaste
but forceful language of Hogan, S
alley, "tbey have dropped their
candy"
Prohibitionists have always been
regarded by conservative politicians
as Impractical dreamers, but few
politicians We're prepared for such an
exhibition OF a lack OF insight into
practical politics as has been ezbld-
tied within the past two weeks. Not
only have they refused to augment
their strength by concessions to a
large faction OF the Democratic party
but the unreserved opinion has been
expressed that the ghtshould not be
confined within tie limits OF the
Democratic party. This is largely in
view of the fact brought to their no.
tice that the constitution Of the DEM
ocratic party provides that before
any candidate shall be entitled to
vote at the primary he shall have fill.
ed his pledge ''that he is not, nor will
he become, the candidate of any fac
ton either privately or publicly sug-
gested, other than tie regular Dem
ocratic party.
This clause was adopt by the con-
vention of the Democratic party IN
1894, and was intended to forever
prevent factional grabs as opposed to
the institution of free vote AID 1alr
count.
In spite of all this and the opinions
of many wise politicians, there are
not & few who believe that the prohl-
bition vote will be surprise.
As matter of fact, study of the
field shows that the people are desir-
Gus for change They are dissatis
fed, but their views are chaotic, and
they want campaign. They want
to see and hear the candidates, and
they do not want any more political
hacks. If the election were to be
held without canvass and just now,
in the absence Of startling develop
ments, it is the confident belief Of
this correspondent that the people
would give Governor Ellerbe an
other term. They will give him
another term anyhow, unless there is
a wonderful change in the minds
OF the people, and in that case q
strong and vigorous fighter on the
stump, man with clear record,
who has not been "defled with poll
tics" nor even identified, to any eS-
tent, with old factionai issues stands
a show. 1t is understood that Sena-
tor Tillman has at last about settled
upon Ellerbe as the most likel Y stand
ardbearer of the faction of which he
is the Abraham, the Isaac aod the
Jacob. How this may be week
from now nobody can say, bit at
present there is every reason to be-
lieve that what is said above is trne.
The understanding" between e.
lerbe and James Norton, who was
long considered as opposed to Eller-
be, and who is no small potatoes in
politics, has greatly strengthened Ell
Ierbe's position. If he can maintain
himself on the stump he may be con-
sidered a winner, but the Governor
is not strong man physically. He
has made some enemies and many
friends. His policy looks to a man
up tree, series of unforeseen prob
lens, but then for politician to solve
these things himself and to make the
people see them through bis glasses
is two different things.
Some time ago it was intimated,
and at that time seemed very likely,
that the Patriarch of Political Dis
sention would lend his strong right
arm to r. B. Watson. Now this
seems remote possibility. There
are two reasons against this, one, Col.
Watson's opposition to State aid for
higher education, in which Mr.. Till
mans toes were stepped on IN the
Clemson college matter; and, second,
that Col. Watson has felt the sting OF
that ingratitude, that is sharper than
the serpent's tooth, and which is one
of the Pitchforks conspicuous charac-
teristics.
Within the next few weeks it IS not
at all impossible that George D. Till
man may loom up as more coz
spicuous figure on the horizon, at
present his sun is not in the ascend
ency to any noticeable degree, yet
with local option and a clean fight
he may becomes powerful factor. 1t
depends on the backing he gets and
the men who trust their fate as can
didates for lower positions on the
} ticket to his platform of glittering
promise.
Ex-Solicitor Schumpert has devel-