Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-06-11
ABOUT PAYING THE FIDDLER.

There Is a slight suggestion Of fric-
ton between the state executive COM
mittee and some of the county COM
mittees over a question that seems to
involve the principles Of self govern
ment This friction has been more or
less noticeable during several years
past; but was not so obvious previous
to the meeting Of the recent state con-
vention as 1t is now. In fact, as the
result Of certain action taken by the
state committee at it's recent meeting,
this previously shadowy underlined diff
ference has at last been asserted with
unmistakable clearness.
Among the members of the state ex-
ecutive committee there is a feeling
that their body Is not only a higher
authority as to general political mat
ters within the state; but that the
county committees should acknowl-
edge subserviency even in matters
purely local. There are number Of
county committees that have never
given any thought whatever to the
subject, and which are willing to ac-
cept the suggestions Of the state COM
mittee without question, as the man
dates Of supreme authority. But
among these county committees there
are not q few that consider themselv-
es sovereign within their respective
bailiwicks, and which look upon the
Interference Of the state committee as
unwarranted presumption.
Although there has been no real
friction before, an important issue is
now pending. This issue involves the
right Of county executive committees
to assess candidates for state and Fed
eral offices for campaign purposes.
Some of the county committees have
been doing so in the past; but the state
committee has resolved that this is no
longer to be permitted. The state COM
mittee takes the position that 1t alone
has the right to assess these candi-
dates, and that the county committees
should entertain them free Of charge.
It argues that the county committees
really have no Jurisdiction over can
didates for state and Federal offices,
and that if every county committee Is
fees along with those required by the
state committee, will amount to great
deal more than the average candidate
would be able to pay; that none but
rich men could afford to run for Of
fee, and that the whole object of our
present state primary system would be
defeated. Along the same line of It's
action in prohibiting the assessment Of
these candidates the chairman Of the
state executive committee is sending
out to the chairmen Of the various
county committees, circular letter In
which he is requesting that the vari-
GUS county chairmen try to make ar
rangements to have candidates enter
tained at the homes Of the people, so
as to save them the expense Of hotel
bills, etc.
All this looks very nice on its face;
but how 1t is going to work in practi-
cal operation remains to be seeH
While some of the county chairmen
will accept the suggestions Of the state
committee without question, there are
others who see in the whole thing a
great deal that does not exactly COM
port with the rosy appearance Of the
surface Mr.. J. S. Brice, chairman of
the York county Democracy, is one of
these. He has had more than one pref
ty lively tilt with the state executive
committee with regard to matters OF
this kind, and in view Of the commit
tees action, is looking forward with
confidence and no little determination
for another clash. Mr.. Brice does not
approve of the state committees atti-
tude, and has no hesitation in saying
so. In reply to questions of the report
er on Saturday, he gave his view Of