The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-03-09
THE WEEKS POLITICS.
Some Interesting Developments Prom.
ised.

COLUMBIA, March 3.-The most
significant move on the political chess
board during the past week has been
the call for prohibition convention.
This fight will be pushed with the
zeal that is ever characteristic OF
the "Crusades,' but altogether with
in the lines of the Democratic party,
across which line few white men in
South Carolina have the temerity to
step.
The strength of the prohibition par
ty is now an unknown factor, but
there are many men who contend that
this faction is very much stronger
than it is popularity supposed to be.
This sentiment is entertained by many
of the prohibitionists who have joined
in the movement towards an organiza-
tion for the purpose Of putting out a
complete State ticket. AS matter
of fact, many Of the old time prohi-
bitionists, especially in the rural dis
tricts, where the prohibitionists have
always found their strength, have
bedded themselves SO intimately with
the dispensary party that this Ca
briel S trumpet will not rouse them
from their dreams. In order to COM
pensatc for this loss of strength, it is
urged by some Of the leaders to form
coalescence with the local optionists,
their rival cousins, and thus draw the
line sharply between dispensary and
anti-dispensary, and once having over
thrown their common enemy and barring
the bone of contention again between
them, to fight out their old quarrel on
new lines. 1t is argued that antago-
nism to the State control of liquor will
make as strong a bond Of union as
could be desired, and will lead to po-
lhical affiliations that under other cir
cumstanoes would be impossible.
The natural leader cf the prohibi-
tionists is Mr.. Childs. It is believed
that he could recall more of the wan
dering sheep to the house Of David
than any man in the State, but he
would not prove a drawing card for
the local option men, and while con-
cession is not characteristic of the
advocates of prohibition, it is urged
that the exigencies of the case must
make amends for what might be re-
garded under ordinary circumstances
as sops to Cerebus or treaties with
the devil. If the local optionists are
to become allies of the prohibitionists,
the old principle of give and take
must be employed. In view of these
facts, there are many Of the leaders
who urge a joint ticket and who are
negotiating treaties with the local op-
tion men, aud it is not improbable
that the convention called for on
April IA will have ring-streaked and
striped complexion to the old time
cold water army and the contents OF
the canteen will have spicy stick in
it that will be new favor and proba-
bly, not disagreeable one to the pal
ates of the uncompromising.
Senator May6eld has been again ap-
preached in the matter Of leading
these combined forces, as being the
most acceptable man to both sides.
He told the gentlemen who discussed
the matter with him that he fully
agreed with them, that prohibition in
itself could not win, but he thought
the combination could very likely car
ry the State, but as for his running,
he could not at present see his way
clearly to accepting the honor Of the
leadership, which would mean the
sacrifice Of his individual business,
jast now growing to comfortable pro-
portions, and for its preservation need
ing his exclusive attention. The man,
he argues. who enters public life
should be in a position to protect him
self against the great danger Of be-
coming a public pcnsloner. which is
the fate of so many public officers.
Mr. Child's health is against his
making an active canvass, which is
necessary. AS strong second to the
straight oprohibiton ticket, or as the
leader in the event Of Mr.. Chllds not
being able to enter the race. Hon. j.
A. Mccullough. of Greenvillc, is
prominently mentioned He is also
spoken of as second to the combina-
ton ticket if Mr.. Mayiield can be in
duecd to lead it,
In regard to the other factions in
the fight. there are many whispers Of
fancy tinged with more or less fact: a
r o.,,, Ill ~, ,noct iptor