Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-08-14

a politician. lie WOulu not uo dhy
thing dishonorable of his own motion;
but his views on most questions are
as elastic as the popular will. We do
not think he has any positive convic-
tions on any public question. That Is
he has no views that he would not be
willing to surrender for the benefit OF
what he might consider to be his pres
ent interest. He would never lead his
fellow citizens anywhere; but he
would follow them through good re-
pute and bad repute and even shame.
Mr. Sloan is not bad man; nor Is he
an unusually good man. In this race
he stands for little else than personal
ambition.
Mr.. Martin F. Ansel is, in some res
poets, the same type of man as Col.
Sloan; but in our judgment somewhat
wiser and abler. His actuating mo-
tive, we would say, is ambition. He
covets the place for which he Is run
ming for the honor there is in 1t; but
there is in him that which would pre-
vent him from dishonoring the place.
He is a very shrewd man, and his
shrewdness is Of the kind which not
only seeks, but which is generally sue
cessful in discovering the right. Four
years ago, he was a dispensary man,
not so much because he saw any spe-
cial merit in the dispensary as because
he believed the people were satisfied
with 1t, state machine and all. Now,
he Is against the state machine, and
the principal reason he is against 1t Is
because he believes that the people
want it abolished. One of'the best evil
dences of his entire satisfaction with
his own honesty Of purpose not only
heretofore: but in the future, Is his
ability to stand without fiinching the
most vicious thrusts that his oppo-
nents are able to make. The philoso-
ply Of this, however, is apparent.
Should he be in the second race, all
those left out will be his friends.
Mr.. Joel E. Brunson would, OF
course, like to be governor; but there
is reason to believe that the principal
reason of his candidacy is burning
hostility to the liquor traffic. He Is
humanitarian and as the result Of his
observation and experience he Is con-
vinced that the liquor traffic is the
most devastating bane to which socie-
ty is subject. He believes that the
best way to uplift men is to take away
the temptation Of intoxicating liquors.
He is somewhat of a free lance, but is
honest and earnest, and If he could only
be of assistance Is establishing prohi-
bition in South Carolina, he would he
perfectly willing to allow somebody
else to fill the governors chair.
Mr.. John ]. McMahan is a brilliant
man. He is earnest, able and clean;
but to a certain extent more theoreti-
cal than practical. For instance, as
we see it, the dispensary system is the
best solution of the liquor question
provided it can be honestly and effi-
ciently managed. We do not believe
that honest management Of the states
liquor business Is possible. Mr.. Nc
Mahan does so believe. This, in his
case, we freely concede. But Mr.. Nc
Mahan is not a politician. He be-
lieves in doing things and rather than
remain neutral on questions looking to
the uplifting of the people of South
Carolina, he would jump from the
dome Of the Capitol. We are not jok-
ing. That's McMahan. And if elected
governor he would kill the state ma
chine quicker than any other man In
the race, for If 1t could not be run
honestly, he would not allow 1t to be
run at all. McMahan is full Of great
big, broad progressive ideas and Is alb
solutely fearless of the powers OF
darkness. He's a good man.
Richard l. Manning comes from a
long line Of illustrious South Caro-
lima ancestors, two Of whom have been
governors of the state. He has the res
pect Of the people of Sumter county
which under his lead was one Of the
last to surrender to Tillman. But
Richard is not now himself. There
is reason to believe that he is being
used by others. That is a general i'm
preston and there is foundation for It
The charge that Manning was not the
real author of the Raysor- Manning
bill, has good basis of fact. 1t is gen.
orally understood that he is Senator
Tillman's candidate for governor. and
Senator Tillman's motive in selecting
him is to encourage the good will and
approval Of an element that has never
been willing to accept the senators
elevation as having grown out OF the
real spirit and genius Of this state
There is "a feeling that Mr.. Manning
has no enthusiasm in the advocacy OF
the so-called purified dispensary, and
that down in his heart he is not al
together satisfied with being regarded
as Senator Tillman's candidate. Not
withstanding it all, Mr.. Manning is a
man of high purposes, and is entitled
to be recognized as a gentleman in
all that the word implies.
About Mr.. Edwards, we have not
been able to form an opinion. We
never heard of him previous to this
race. He may be a man of good pur-
poses, and he may be merely a crank
of no more Importance than Others
who have been before the people in a
like manner.
Smooth, audacious, debonair Cole
L. Bleasel He's the best and most
plausible speaker in the party, and
the best campaigner There is no linn
it to his nerve, either. He stands fol
the dispensary just as it is, and not
for moment would he think Of cur
failing it's opportunities for graft
With its graft features removed he
would not give two cents for it. Mr.
Blease is a wonder, a paralyZer. He
makes one gasp for breath. $50 far as
| am personally concerned" he de-
clares, "it makes no difference wheth-
er there is any liquor or not. / seldom
use it," and within an hour afterward
he is liable to be full as a goat. They
talk about corruption in the dispen-
sary, and yet they have not been able
| Al.. 4. f.-ENY.