The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-08-28
AS SEEN In COLUMBIA.
After Investigation, Editor GarlIng.
ton Writes Of the Political Situa-

/ ~
ton Writes OF the Political Situa
tiOn.
Editor Darlington, Of the Spartanburs
Herald, has heen in Columbia tins week. /
quickly became evident TO him thai Colum
Oia IL the political center OF the stale, so he
kept his eyes open and learned a thing ol
two He says the senatorial race Is all the
talk In Columbia, and "while nobody seems
able to tell why the race should begin year
| IN advance; but since 1t is on. speculation Il
! rife as to the probable fate of the candidates
Cutting down TO details, he writes his paper
az follows:
ut is enerally thought that John j. Hemp
hill, Esq, will not figure TO any great eXten,
In the fight He has given up his residence sc
long in this state that he has lost touch with
the people. His career as lobby lawyer In
Washington Is much against him.
ut Is thought that Col. Willie Jones will
muster the fuli strength OF the Spanish
American survivors; but not much more
but in this contest 1t is realized that mere
personal popularity amounts 10 but little
He IL not aggressive and, while he stands In
to a certain degree with the powers that be-
al his small vote.
congressman Latimer and John Gary
Evans are supposed to be running neck and
neck for Tilnau's favor. The general opin.
ION Is that at the wind-up neither will have
his support. Senator Tillman Is ptting bis
whole strength in this fight and he Is not In
Candidate D. S. Henderson are known to be
close together. 1t is thought that there will
be an interesting understanding between
them and that the second race will be run be-
tween McLaurn and Henderson. The Aiken
man is clear-headed, clean and has no damag.
ing record in politics. He was formerly Il
Conservative and all OF these elements are
recognized by Senator Tillman. He will
draw more from McLaurin than any of the
other candidates, and it Is freely predicted on
all sides that he will run the second race with
McLaurin.
The opinion seems to prevail that TilIman
ia merely coQuetting with latimer. He Is
using the Belton statesman as a sort OF stalk
ing horse, to throw the public off their guard.
He knows that Latimer has not the ghost of d
show for being elected, and by pretending to
support him he hopes 10 conceal his real con.
dtion. That Senator Tiilman will use bis
fine Italian hand ii the matter no one
doubts.
"The general opinion seems to be that Nc.
Laurip is exercising good judgment ip stay
my away from the present sunni school OF
politics. The candidates do no relish the idea
OF touring the state with their little speeches
during dog days, but no one OF them Is will
Ing 10 refuse an invitation, and hence the
Union and Chester performances will be
repeated at Spartanburg. Greenville, New
berry and Anderson, and perhaps a dozen
other points.
81 find a considerable sentiment in favor OF
having q few meetings now at which TIL
man and McLaurin will discuss the ISSUES
upon which they are divided, and call the
cam paigniDg off until the regular can vass be.
gins.
The rumor has been heard from time to
time that new morning paper is to be start
ed here In the interest of McLaurin. There
is nothing in 1t. No such scheme has been
seriously considered. Senator McLaurIn and
his friends know that such an enterprise
would fail and theie Is nobody in sight will
ing TO risk the necessary cash. The money
could probably be gotten for such an enter.
prise outside of the state. but that very fact
would queer the paper. 1t would give color
to II the charges that are being made, that
McLsurin is feeling the pulse OF the South on
the new issues in the interest Of the Republi.
can party.
~ found very observant and intelligent
gentleman who attended the Union meeting,
who expressed the opinion that If George
Johustone keeps up the pace be set at Union
and Chester he will win. This man says that
Colonel Johnstone made by odds, the best
Impression.
Il found another man who was cocksure
that the cotton mill interests are behind the
McIIaurin fight. and in five minutes still
another who claimed 10 speak with authority
when he said that the cotton mill men were
not going TO have anything to do with 1t,
but strongly disapproved of McLaurin's
answer to the executive committee.
Columbia is veritable political hotbed.
All the schemes and dickers and deals are
known here and have strings leading hither
McLaurin's enemies are jubilant over his
failure to show up at the preliminary skir.
underings are winning as fast as meetings
can be pulled Oft. They are sure that the
aggregation now touring the state are 'bulliug'
the Tillman market. They predict that Nc
Laurin will not make the race
"On the other hand. there is q quiet COM
placency and satisfaction depicted on the
countenances of the McLaurin people when.
ever the contest is mentioned. They are ap.
parently perfectly satisfied with the promi.
nence OF Tillman in the fight, and do not
hesitate to say that at the general wind up
McLaurin is going to show our "Our Noble
Leader" up in his true colors. They are hint.
ing strongly at evidence that will be forth.
coming when the fight is on In earnest. 1t Is
said to be reduced to black and white and is
SO plain that he who runs may read.
Il do not know how much truth there Ia In
these reports. The charge OF taking rebates
from the whisky trust has been repeatedly
made and the accusation OF unusual com
missions In the refunding of the bonds, but
nothing definite has been brought out"