The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-04-03
THE STATE CONVENTION.
Why Some Look ON it as a Most I'M.
DOrtant one.

pOrtant one.
Many arc seeing more in the coming
State Democratic convention than ap-
pears on the surface. A correspondent
of the Augusta Chronicle writing from
Greenville, where one of Senator McLarr-
in's campaign managers resides, says
among other things:
Every one seems to be waiting and
watching for something to turn up that
will indicate in which way the political
wind will blow, and, like all cautious peo-
pie, We are keeping our mouths shut.
Tillman has not the political power he
formerly had. Many have dropped him
as leader. Many have joined the Nc
Laurin ranks and still more are willing to
do SO should they see few more straTs
blowing in his direction. All are disgust
ed with Bryan and his everlasting voice.
"Under the uncertain situation, most
men are awaiting the action of the State
Democratic convention that meets in Col
umbia in May, before saying anything. A
great number of people, knowing the diff
ferences in the Democratic ranks, con-
slider that convention one of the most i'm
portant political conventions that ever
met South Carolina. The action then
taken and the platform then adopted will
decide the political situation in the State
1--WE need wise and conservative men
in that convention in order that a plat
form may be adopted that will not cut any
faction but suit ALL
"Ifmcasures condemning the McLaurin
element are adopted and an attempt made
to rule them out, there will be a split in
the party that will not soon be healed,
and men will begin to align themselves
with one faction or the other.
"Tillman will, no doubt, WELD much
power in the convention and it may be
said that a great responsibility rests on
his shoulders in uniting or disrupting the
party. No one can tell whether he will
be statesman enough to rise above self and
his personal feelings toward McLaurin to
really try to save the party or adopt a
course of rule or ruin. By his conduct in
person, or by his lieutenants, in that con
vention, he will be judged. He will make
or ruin himself. If he shows small
spirit of personal revenge he is gone. If
he rises to the position of statesman and
patriot he will be saved.
"The politicians are worried and, as
stated, waiting and watching. Very few
are out spoken, with the exception of
avowed partisans.
"There is no doubt that South Carolina
is in the midst of big political revolu-
ton. The industrial situation has vastly
changed in the past ten years. The
manufacturing interests have grown
wonderfully and their influence is fast
becoming a power in politics. These
thousands are tired of the old worn
out issues IN natlonal polltlcs ana
desire new issues upon which there
would be some hope of electing a
president. They desire national
platform that will suit the Democrats
of the south as well as those of the
north-a platform without 16 to and
like follies in it including Bryan as the
biggest folly of all, upon which all can
stand. The times have changed, and it is
claimed that we must change with them
The campaign of this year in South Caro-
lima will be q hot one, as the McLaurin
Democrats are growing stronger and can
now poll 10000 votes out of a possible
$4,000 in the State.
1T would require very wise man to
size up what the situation will be in the
summer, except to say that it will be live
ly and interesting"