The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1906-05-02
/ POLITICAL SERMON.


The political increment has
now begun. The Democratic
clubs have reorganized, and
elected delegates to county con-
ventions, which in turn will send
delegates to the State conven-
ton, and from that time on will
the people listen to the claims Of
candidates for Office. Political
platforms and principles will be
discussed to catch the ear of the
voter, then, when the election is
over, both platforms and princl-
pies are laid aside until another
campaign. 1t is the rarest OF
happenings that a politician ever
puts his promises on the stump
into practical use, as a rule, ne
regards, or rather acts as II he
does, his promises on the stump
a means to defeat an opponcnf.
At one time it bid fair to have
a hot campaign, but the ind'ca
tons are now that it will be one
of the tamest we have had yet.
There seems to be no opposition
to Tillman's return to the United
States Senate, if there Is any, 1t
has not as yet manifested itself;
if he should have no opposition.
it is our opinion he will content
himself in letting the other can
didates handle the liquor ques-
ton. Tillman may make a
speech occasionally, but if he is
without opposition we doubt
very much if he makes anything
like a county canvas, and with
him not down on the program as
a drawing card, the meetings
will be slimly attended. 1t is
important to have in the general
assembly strong men to look
after things that concern the
people more closely than the
liquor question; we need our
fiscal affairs Strengthened out,
our road system bettered, our
property assessments placed on
a more equitable basis so that
our taxes may be more justly
distributed; there are many
things requiring the study OF
thoughtful men, and in select,
ing representatives it behooves
us to endeavor to get those who
are qualified for the work, rather
than those who are the exponent
of some deceptive ism.
We wish our primary system
permitted the people to elect
their representatives and tender
the office to them whether they
are candidates or not, if such
was the rule, the people would
| not be confined to selecting from
those who seek. but could thrus;
the honor upon their choice, but
| under our system, such is i'm.
possible, the people are forced
to select only from those who
have paid for the privilege Of
seeking Office. Therefore, il
frequently occurs that in the
list Of candidates a voter has nc
choice, and if he votes at all, he
is forced to select from the list
entered only. We believe the State
convention should consider this
idea, and see if it cannot devise
some way by which the people
might tender an official honor
upon a man without his seeking
it. In our judgment, it would
result in giving US a better rep,
resentation than under the
present system. There would
be some inducement for a man
of ability to sacrifice his time
and talents for the public good,
but as it is, many men who
would make excellent represen-
tatives will not enter a scramble,
even though they feel satisfied
of election, and the result is, the
people are deprived Of being sat
isfactory represented
A man Who is not in politics
as a business, but who is quail
fed to render good service, and
who has an independent nature
will not employ the methods of
| a practical politician whose only
Iobiect is self ambition, such al
one may not always be a good
hand-shaker or a good back
patter but when he assumes
official responsibility he does his
duty and his work rebounds to
the benefit of the country.
We sincerely hope the people
will give the selection of their
representatives the thought the
position is due, and not permit
themselves to be guided il their
selection by the vagarses of men
who are full of promise and de-
fcient of execution.
Mannilgs next move should
be q, Iagniicient school build