The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-07-10
The G0AGRE RACE.
Hon. Altamont Moses Nay Enter Judge
Buchanan Already Running---Numer-
Gus Candidates From Other
Counties.


Counties.
There has already developed in this
city considerable degree OF interest
in the election that must be held this
summer to choose a successor Of Con-
gresham J. William Stokes, and all
who are given TO discussing politics
have. been talking of the candidates
who will enter the race.
Mr. Altamont Moses is most promi-
nently spoken of as the candidate from
this county and if he decides to be-
come candidte he will undoubtedly
be the choice Of a large majority OF
the voters of Sumter County, no mat
ter who or how many others may be
in the race.
NE. Noses, when asked the direct
question this morning, said that&he
had not decided to be a candidate, but
stu had the matter under considers
ton. He may decide not to be can-
didate but the probability, is that he
will enterthe race, fori tits the desire OF
his friends that he become acandidate
and they hope to. elect him by a sub
stantial majority It is felt that his
services in the Legislature in both
Senate and House Of Representatives
and his familiarity with the details OF
legislative work fit him for the duties
that a congressman has to perform
His long service in the Legislature
has not. only given him the experience
and thorough knowledge Of parlia-
mentary law and Eproceedure that
would make him useful in Congress
from the day he entered, but has
given him vide acquaintance with
the public men of this State and he
has friends in every county in this
district who know Of and can testify
to his ability asa representative. IT
all the people of the Seventh District
knew him as wellas- do those of Sumter
County he would have walkover in
the primary, and once elected he
would be kept in service-indefnitely,
for he has been an Efficient
working member Of every body to
which he has belonged and in
his hands the interests Of the Seventh
District would be safe.
There will be one candidate at least
from Sumter County, whether Mr..
Moses runs or not, and without de-
tracing anything from Judge Q. w.
Buchanan, who is actively in the race
already, it's but the simple truth to
ay right now at the outset, that, even
with Mr.. Moses out Of the race, he
cannot command the hearty support
n this county that another man more
thoroughly identified with our people
would. Judge Buchanan has made
Sumter his legal domicile since be was
elected as Judge Of this circuit, but.
owing largely to the nature Of his du-
ties as Judge, that take him away
from Sumter for SO great a part of the
time, heshas never become thoroughly
Unidentified with Sumter County and
many of our people do not know him
save by reputation as a Judge, Just
as they know OF the other judges who
hold court here from time to time.
Judge Buchanan would doubtless
make a capable representative in Con
gress and viii have more or less
strength in every county in the dis
trict, but he will not enter the race as
the fayorite candidate Of Sumter coun-
There may be other candidates from
Sumter county but none that the.
writer has heard mentioned with any
degree of authority. The report comes
from Columbia that Col. j. Harvey
Wilson and Senator RI Manning are
both spoken Of as probable candidates.
The question has not been discussed
with either by the writer, but asfar as
can be learned neither will be acandi-
date. Col Wilson is understood to
be a candidate for Secretary of State
and it is not thought he will with
draw from this race to become candi-
date for Congress. Nh. Manning is not
in town and while no one is author
lied to speak for him, it is not beliey-
ca that he will bea candidate.
There seems to be no dearth of candi-
dates in the other counties. and the
race promises to be something more
than interesting, for, with SO mny can
didates seeking the support of the
voters, there is sure to be q lively cam
paign.
FIRE FRIDAY MORNING.,