Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1902-06-25
The State Campaign.

Columbia, juno 22-The first week of
the State campaign is over and no one is
the wiser as to the prospect of election
OF any candidate any more than when
the canvass began. Candidates who
have beer here are loud in their COM
plants OF the very sparse attendance at
the meetings and they feel very much
discouraged over the fact that they have
met SO few. people. They think that
since they have been put to 80 great
expense they should have some pay for
their money, but the large majority of
voters are unmindful of this condition
and are sticking strictly to their own
business, and are making the best of the
fine weather for keeping their crops in
ing abundautly later on. The fact is
that IL is becoming generally accepted
that the primary, as now conducted, has
lost all the interest formerly taken in it
and that it has practically lost it's useful
ness in several respects, and there is con-
siderable quiet discussion concerning
some substitute plan of nominating Off
GERS. No plan has as yet assumed any
definite shape, but it is freely suggested
chat compulsory canvass Of the State
be abolished, for as conditions now are
the canvass is necessary on the part of
any candidate who hopes to win. In
place of this it is suggested that candi-
dates make their own appointments or
accept any invitations that may be given
or section of the State. AS long as there
are no issues, or if they are and the can
didates are unanimously agreed as to
them, which is the present condition,
the people will not attend and listen to
long, dry speeches on a summer day
when they can stay at home, attend to
their duties and make personal choice
nf ri In ofno t,,rN Ill
attended the meetings. 1t Ia agreed that
1T is not right to compel candidates to 90
to the great expense of travelling through
out the State and deliver addresses to a
handful of the voters of each county,
while the thousands remain at home.
Those who advocate this idea say by this
plan a candidate could spend as little as
he pleased or as much as he could afford,
and that by going it alone he could be-
come acquainted with at least as manylof
the people as he can under present CON
dltions and likely at less cost, but that
depends upon the candidate himself It
is undoubtedly true that campaigning
costs good deal more now than ever
before, but why it should no reason is
known. Reports are current that some
candidates have already spent what is a
years salary of the office to which they
aspire, and several of them have publicly
and privately made complaints about the
expense, without suggesting any remedy.
The crowds attending the meetings
being so small in comparison with the
number of voters, their expressions for
or against man cannot be taken as a
criterion as to how the counties will 90.
Everybody remembers the enthusiasm
with which John Gary Evans was re-
ceiVed in his canvas with Judge Earle
for the United States Senatorship and
the frosty greeting given to his opponent.
The result was confidently predicted on
the strength of the predictions of the
crowds, and the wholeS State was deceived
as to what would be the outcome. The
candidates are remembering this, and
that is one reason that a change is de-
manded, in the hope that by some means
this overwhelming silent vote may be
reached before an election takes place.