The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-17
NoLAURIN IN the SEVENTH.
Will an Ayowed Commercial DEM
ocrafs Run There?

rumors to the effect that a candidate
representing the McLaurin movement
will be entered in the 7th Congression-
al district to succeed Congressman
Stokes, who died at Orangeburg last
week. Just who will be groomed for
the race has not been announced. 1t
is stated that man who has been re-
moved somewhat from active politics,
but who can champion the cause OF
the Commercial Democracy, will
be urged to run, with the idea of test
ing the NIcLaurin strength in that dis
trict, which at the present time is an
unknown quantity. The junior Sena-
tor is not expected to figure in the
campaign, but be will watch the
movement, and his friends claim that
big victory will have been won in
the election of his candidate.
The 7th district is one of the heav-
lest voting districts in the State. 1t
takes in some of the best counties and
already nearly dozen men have been
mentioned as probable candidates.
Some of them have decided that they
would run, while others are giving
the matter serious consideration. No
candidate mentioned thus far has been
stamped as the McLaurin candidate,
but the understanding seems to be
that his announcement will be forth
coming in very short while, and
when once launched his campaign will
be fought vigorously to the finish.
With so many candidates in the field
the odds will doubtless be placed
against the McLaurin candidate, but
the supporters of the new movement
contend that he will have good show,
and there is no telling but that he will
win. The counties in the 1th district
are Berkeley, Colleton, Dorchester.
Lexington, Orangeburg. Richland and
Sumter. In the three last named
counties the politicians figure that the
McLaurin vote will be the best. al
though it will be rather doubtful in
the others.
..All the indications point now to
the fact that the McLaurin people will
take hand in the special election
this year. said we'll posted pollti-
clan in this city yesterday. g 1t is
good opportunity to take flyer into
the dark ground. Until there is a
vote it is not possible to say with any
degree of certainty just what McLau-
rims people can do, although they
think so we'll of the situation that
they are willing to change an election
this early in the game. That party
will not make any admission of such
a candidate entering the field, but it
is known that the matter is under con-
sideration. and it seems pretty GER
tain that something will be done.
There is a report that McLaurin man
will run without being stamped as
such, but this can hardly be accom-
plished. With so many candidates
after the Office the voters will want to
know how each stands on national
issues and the McLaurin candidate
cannot go in blindly. He will have
to outline his platform, and if he IS
known to be a simon-pure Com
mercial Democrat some idea of the
strength of this party will be determin
ed after the vote has been announced.
s.The McLaurin element is open for
expansion when it comes to reaching
out for Offices. It is well known that
all of the Federal appointments for
this State have been slated, and even
if the appointments do not become
effective for year or more Senator
McLaurin can help himself and his
Congressional candidates as we'll by
letting it be known just who will
strike the pie counter in the counties
of the 7th district Giving these ap-
pointments a semi-offcial publicity
will result in the influence of all per-
sons who are thus favored going
heavily to the man who is wanted in
Congress bv Mr.. McLaurin, and it
will be good politics to make the trial
at anv event. And while the McLau
rim element will fight for the election
of its man it is just as certain that
the opposition will bend every inhu-
ence to cause his overwhelming de-
feat
The publication in The News and
Courier Yesterday of the forthcoming
appointment of Mr.. John ". McCol-
loueh. of Greenville, as United States
marshal created no little surprise in
Republican circles. 1t was known to
many of the Republicans that such an
appointment would be made and they
we're surprised that the story should
have been published. Efforts had been
made to keep it quiet. Mr.. Melton's
term does not expire until April and
Mr.. McCollough's appointment Will
be made in time for him to take charge
at once. There does not appear to be
any kick in the matter and Mr.. Nc
Collough's name has already been pre-
sented to the powers in Washington by
Senator McLaurin.
It was furthermore stated yesterday
that practiclly all of the Federal ap-
pointments for South Carolina have
been slated. In this list is included
the big Offices in Charleston and some
dark horses are expected to get the
best Jobs. The race is by no means
confined to the candidates already an
nouncced. In filing the Offices the
new party will not be guided so much
bv friendship as desire to appoint
men who can bring a certain influence
to the organization. There will be
more or less of business sacrifice for
the man who accepts the best Office in
Charleston, and he will be expected
to make this sacrifice for the good Of
the party. This announcement may
- 10 ,>lo.ci,o RI tho candidates who