The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-08-12
PEANUT POLITICS.

| VI reasons lndC may or may not
! be apparent, the Observer did not in
tend to take part in the race for
supposed for moment, and does not
| supposed now, that there l. the slight
est probability Of Gov. Ansel's defeat
for reelection. But attacks have been
! made on him Of such a character that
We feel 1t our duty to take some no
| tice of them-in justice to him as man
and governor, not as candidate for re-
election.
Let us say right here that, taken
all round-in theJ quiet, diligent, busi-
ness way in which he has discharged
his duties. in his fairness to everybody
and every interest, in his earnest, de-
termined stand for the right, in his
personal honesty and integrity, in the
absolute freedom Of his admisistra-
tfon from even a taint Of scandal
Gov Ansel has made the best gov
ernor since Johnson Hagood. He is
entitled, by faithful and efficient SER
vice, to the full benefit Of the custom
that prevails in South Carolina that
gives a governor a second term
The governor has been attacked for
the "extravagance" Of his administra-
tion. The Extravaganza" that harped
upon most by legislative candidates
consists in the large appropriations to
the higher institutions Of learning in
the State. These appropriations were
made by the legislature; the represen-
tatives in the senate and house are
solely responsible for them. If we
remember correctly there was no
fight made on any Of these appropri-
ations in either the senate or the
house: II they are too high the SEN
ators and the representatives are to
blame-not the governor. He is not
responsible for any appropriation that
was made by the legislature, whether
high or low.
But he recommended an appropria-
tion-which was not made, by the
way-for a new Governors Man.
sion." So he did. and so did his pre-
decessors. The truth is, the present
governors mansion" Is unworthy of
the State. It is simply the remnant,
or unburnt portion Of the old Arsenal
building. In stones throw Of it are a
half dozen or more private residences
that are far superior in every particu-
lar. except in the beauty and spacious
ness Of the lot. It Is a fine location
for mansion, but the mansion is not
there only makeshift.
Gov. Ansel knew that If the State
should adopt his recommendation and
build governors mansion he could
not occupy 1t. for his term Of office
the second term as well as the first
would expire before 1t could possibly
be completed. But he felt that his
successor. whoever he might be. de-
served something better than the
present one and that State pride ought
to furnish 1t. One appropriation would
be sufficient. and that. spread over
the many years that such a mansion
would last. would make the cost in
significant,
He appointed negro notary public.
SO did John Peter Richardson and W.
H. Ellerbe and B. r. Tillman and D.
c. Hayward. He appointed him be-
cause he was recommended to him by
white men Of standing and character.
including two members OF the legisla-
ture from the county in which the
appointee lives. A notary public ex-
ercises no authority whatever: he only
administers oaths when requested to
dc so; it is simply a matter Of conve-
nience to his neighbors
Away with peanut politics.