The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-03-27

>nhsr,>>avt, l..iiiilsr 4 Candidate for
i'li pIatc.

" >SniNoruN, March l.; The news
camcS from South Carolina that the
political pot has begun to simmer in
anticipation Of the contest for tic
United States Scnatorship to succeed
the Hon. John L. NcLaurin. Con-
siderable speculation is being iudulgcl
in by the South Carolina contingent
here with reference to tho chances Of
the several "favoritc sons who are
generally understood to be training for
the race.
Those who pretend to know declare
that Senator McLaurin will retire
from political life at the end Of his
term, or, perhaps, acc .pt some Execu-
tive appointment which, it is not
doubted, he can secure on account OF
the stand he has taken in the Senate
on all measures favored by the Ad-
ministration. His course has aroused
the Indignation of the Democrats in
Congress and in all party matters he
is completely ostraciscd, being count
ed as Republican. The question is
frequently heard: "How is it that
South Carolina sends Republican to
the Senate?" Some lame excuse is
usually given and solemn promise
that it shall not happen again. At
any rate, it is generally believed that
he will not oifeI for re. election.
Prominent among those who are
said to be in the race for the Senate
is
TIE HON. A. c. LATIMER,
Representative from the 3rd Congress
sional district. He is receiving moro
consideration in this connection than
any other man who is discussed as a
possible candidate. Letters from all
parts Of the State are encouraging him
to make the race, and many prominent
men, who arc familiar with the situa-
tion, express themselves as being
strongly in his favor and confident
of his strength ~ith the people.
His Career has been unique in the
political history Of the State and pre-.
scnts striking example of the wis
dom Of selecting men Of affairs for Of
fees Of public trust, and of the benc-
fits to be derived by the people from
practical craftsmanship. uc was
reared on farm in ALbcvillc Coun-
ty, twenty miles from a railroad, re-
ceiving his education in the cold field"
schools, then existing, us his leisure
from work on the farm would permit.
At the age Of 30 he removes to An
derson County, where he now resides,
and became actively engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits, taking great inter
est in all matters tending to the ad-
vancemcnt of the farming interests of
the State. lie became n candidate
for Congress in 1892 against the ad-
vice of his friends. Being unaccus-
toned to politics, never having offer
ed for political Office before, unframed
in public speech: he went before the
people in that campaign against the
greatest odds. His opponent was the
Hon. George Johnstone, of Ncwbcrry,
a man of ability and brilliant speak
er, who had represented the district
for two years and was thought to have
a permanent hold on tie vote. The
campaign was hotly contested from
start to finish. Ho developed strong
power Of speech, which persuaded and
convinced the people where the elo-
qucnce of his opponent was forgotten :,
with the result that he was elected by
an overwhelming majority. Since that
time he has offered for re election four
times, receiving increased majorities
each time.
he took his scat upon tho opening
Of the 53rd Congress under any but
auspicious circumstances. AS a mem
Der of
THE FAMOUS MAY CONVENTION
he had introduced resolution con
demning Grover Cleveland as "pro-
stitution of Democracy and the :ool Of
Wall street." This resolution brought
him into disfavor with the Admins
tration, preventing him from securing
any appointments for his constituents
or receiving any consideration in mat
ters pertaining to the interests of the
State.
To man Of less indomitable will
this would have been serious handi-
cap, as it not only made it. impossible
to secure appointments, but was slso
a severe blow to any attempt he might
make to control or influence iegisla-
tion in the House. Members Of the
House, however, soon began to know
him to be q man Of broad ideas clear