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

audiences as references. But recently,
especially at Yorkville, as IL realizing
that the influence Of the "big boss"
was hopelessly against him, this bold
campaigner began to hit back at the
big boss" He made 1t clear that in his
opinion Tillman had a candidate. He
named two, Manning and Sloan; but
that was with the idea of creating di-
vision in such vote as may be assumed
to be under the direct control Of Till
man. Yes, Blease is an interesting
character. 1t is easy to conceive how,
If he had started when Tillman did,
with as much experience as he has now,
he would have developed power and
influence even greater than has been
developed by Tillman. He is slicker,
and knows better how to cover up his
tracks. Though with a more limited
stock of information than the former,
morally and politically, he is about on
a par with Ben and Jim, and II he
should happen to be elected to the gov
ernorship, there will be some lively
doings not only in the dispensary but
in other departments.
Mr.. A. C. Jones, the other Newberry
candidate, is very different man from
Blease. He is frank, open and sin
cere There Is no question Of that, and
he has moral courage Of high order.
He also has plenty Of physical cour-
age: but there is no reason to believe
that he knows a great deal about
statecraft. All the knowledge he has
been able to acquire along this line has
been as an onlooker. If he should be
elected governor his administration
would be decent and clean; but 1t
would not be characterized by special
ability. He's a good business man; he
has been successful along the line Of
business; but that does not make up
for sad lack of experience in other
directions. However, we believe Mr.
Jones is a man of the best intentions,
and that his participation in politics
aids rather than hinders the cause Of
good government.
When Fraser Lyon and Neils Chris
tensen were first suggested as candi
dates for Office, the idea did not appeal
to us. We recognized the fact that
they were ably performing high
duty; but somehow it does not seem
fitting that a man should put himself
in the position Of appearing to seek
reward for the performance Of what
was only duty. But since then condi-
tions have very much changed. The
investigating committee, with the ex-
ception of Christensen, laid down on
Lyon. Governor Hayward proved weak
in the knees and failed to measure up
to his plain duty in the Black matter.
Attorney General Youmans flunked like
an old granny and circumstances
forced Mr. Lyon into the field as a
matter of justice to himself, to the
cause he represents, and to the people.
AS things now stand the honors and
emoluments of the office are Of no con-
sequence. The great issue Is whether
the people are yet ready to demand the
restoration Of honesty and purity in
the affairs the state. The personal in
terest of Mr. Lyon counts for nothing.
His election means a victory for the
people and his defeat will mean that
the people have lost; that the days
during which dishonesty and corrup-
ton shall run riot have not yet been
numbered Mr.. Lyon himself will have
no occasion for personal regret.
The candidacy of Mr.. J. w. Ragsdale
counts for nothing except opposition to
Lyon and the restoration Of political
integrity. Mr.. Ragsdale is not even a
willing candidate, not as much so as
Mr.. Lyon. Mr.. Lyon went in answer
to the call Of duty, Mr. Ragsdale was
forced in to defeat Lyon. 1t was
known that Col. Youmans could not
do 1t, and 1t was necessary to have a
dispensary man of sufficient energy to
make an aggressive fight. Ragsdale
was conscripted, and he has been doing
the best he could, considering his fatal
lack of a good cause and honest fight
ing material He would like to win of
course; but he would ten times rather
see the election Of Youmans than Lyon,
and so would the people who put
Ragsdale in the race. 1t Is generally
conceded that the election Of Lyon will
be notice to the thieves and grafters
to stand from under; that hereafter
the business Of the state must be con-
Quoted on a respectable, honest basis.
We have only to say that we have no
personal interest in the election Of a
single candidate, and we are not par
ticularly concerned as to who shall be
elected. We shall vote as we shall see
proper, and expect other people to do
the same. Whatever the result may
be we will take our chances with the
balance.