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

COLUMBIA, March 5.-The most
significans move on the political chess
board during the past week has been
the call for a prohibition convention.
This fight will be pushed with she
zeal that is ever characteristic OF
the Crusader but altogether with.
in the lines of the Democratic party,
across which line few white men in
South Carolina have the temcrity to
step.
The strength Of the prohibition par
ty is o an unknown factor, but
there are many l. Gu 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-
ton for the purpose Of putting out a
complete State ticket. AS IL 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
bcddcd themselves so intimately with
the dispensary party hat this Ga
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
a coalescencc 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 6! union IS
could be desired, and will lead to po-
litical affiliations that under ether cir
cumssanses would be impossible.
The natural leader Of the prohibi-
tionists is Mr.. Childs. It is believed
that he could recall more cf the wan
dering sheep to the house Of David
than any man in the State, but he
would not prove q drawing card for
the local option mes, and while con
c~ession is not a 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 optiorists 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
VINO urge a joint ticket and who are
negotiating treaties with the local OPP
ton men, and it is not improbable
that the convention called for on
april IA will have a ring-streaked and
striped complexion to the old time
cold water army and the contents Of
the canteen will have a spicy stick in
it that will be a new flavor and proba-
bly, not a disagreeable one to the pal
ates of the uncompromising.
Senator Mayfeld has been aga:c 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,
just Q growing to comfortable pro-
portions, and 7orits 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 p%ensioncr. which is
the fate OF so many public officers.
Mr.. Child's health is against his
making an active canvass, which is |
necessary. AS u strong second to the
straight oprohibition ticket, or as the
leader in the event of Mr.. Childs not
being able to enter the race. Hon. j.
A Mccullough. of Greenville, is
prominently mentioned. He is also
spoken of as a second to the combina-
ton ticket if Mr.. Mayfeld, can be in
dueed 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