Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-09-28
THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR.

THE RACE FOR GOVERNOR.
Probability In That There Will BE
Many Candidates.
There are now quite a number of can
didates in the field for the position Of
governor Of the Palmetto state, and the
prospect is that there will be quite a
number of others who will enter the
race by next summer who are not now
identified with the contest, says a Co.
lumbia letter to the Augusta Chronicle.
Perhaps the strongest individual
mentioned in connection with this race
who Is yet dark horse, is Colonel Willie
Jones, of Columbia. For some time
past he has been recognized and named
as a senatorial possibility; but from
what can be understood, very strong
pressure is now being brought upon
him to make change Of base and enter
the race for governor instead Of run
ming for the United States senate.
Whether he will do this or not is not
yet known. for 1t is certain that the
colonel of the Second South Carolina
volunteers has decided ambitions to
wear the senatorial toga.
The general opinion now Is that the
most prominent Of the candidates now
in the field Is Congressman w. ]. Tai
bert, of Edgefield. He seems to be
looked upon by the political leaders as
the official candidate, whatever that
may amount to; but there have been
times in South Carolina when men who
have been regarded as having "cinch"
upon public office have been badly de-
feated.
The greatest trouble that Congress-
man Talbert will have in his race is
that he has been in public office draw
ing a salary of $1,000 year since early
in the COS, when he defeated Colonel
Geo. D. Tillman; and second, that he
comes from Edgefleld county, which
has had a United States senator con-
tinuously since 1876, first M. c. Butler
and then Senator Tillma1
That the county Of Edgef1eld has had
the congressman from that district al
most continuously since 1876, from Col.
tGeo. D. Humans time down through
that Of Congressman Talbert. The
county has had the state treasurer, and
other public officers. now has the lieu
tenant governor, and with the solitary
interruption Of the term of Solicitor
Nelson, has had the solicitorship since
Democratic days pegan. It Is urged
that this will be used to considerable
disadvantage to Congressman Talbert's
candidacy, on the ground that Edge
field county, which is now one Of the
smallest in the state, ought not to have
everything, or at least more than its
quota in proportion to the population
and distribution of public officers.
Mr.. Hayward, of Colleton county, is
something Of an unknown quantity in
the contest, which he has permanently
entered. He Is a prominent member Of
the knights of Pythias, and has been
leading officer Of that fraternal organi
zation and Is said to be quite success
full and Well qualined business man.
The friends of Secretary Of State
Cooper have announced that he will
make the race for the governorship,
but it does not seem to be at all GER
tain that he will enter, and the friends
of former State Treasurer Zimmerman
have also announced that he will be in
the race and make formidable candi-
date.
There seems to be good deal Of spec
ulation as to whether Lieutenant Gov
ernor Tillman will be content to stand
for lieutenant governor, which position
there seems to be no doubt he can Sc
cure again II he should stand for re-
election. 1t seems to be practically
settled that he will not make the race
for congress against his business part
ner, Col. George Croft, who Is going to
run for congress in the Second con-
gressional district, and the only ques-
ton is whether Colonel Tillman's am
bition will permit him to be checked up
for two years longer. If he enters the
gubernatorial race there Is no telling
what his candidacy will amount to as
his race for lieutenatn governor was
decided surprise to every one VINO had
watched the political kaleidoscope.
There Is some talk that Governor Nc
Sweeney will make the race again for
governor, and there is no doubt about
the fact that he is being strongly urged
to do so, and frequent letters have been
received by him from his political
friends advising him that his admins
tration has been so successful that he
ought to make the race at all events.
There Is a strong desire on the part
of a great many people to have good
successful business man enter the race
and see what the disposition Of the peo-
pie is in regard to having such a man
occupy the position of governor instead
of having some man who has been in
political harness for number of years
elected; and there Is a desire on the
part of q great many people to have
some such man as MIR. John b. Cleve-
land or Mr.. w. A. Courtenay or Arch
B. Calvert, or a man Of such tempera-
ment and training.
At all events the gubernatorial con-
test Is someways off and a great deal
can happen in South Carolina politics
between now and the time tnat the en-
tries for the primary will close.