The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-02-25
A CHOICE: PLUM
Several Gentlemen Hope to Sue
Ceed Late Senator Latimer.
POLITICAL GOSSIP.

Legislature Expected to Hold Elcc-
ton on March 3 to Fill the Unex-
pired Term.-Various Persons Are
Mentioned for the Place. Names
Of the Candidates 'Hho Expect to
Run in the Primary.
The announcement of the dea,f
of Senator Latimer on last Thurs
day threw the General Assembly IN
to political turmoil. Coming with
in two days of the expected end Of
the session with the certainty that
the Legislature must fill the vacan-
cy before it could adjourn, the whole
aspect of legislation was changed.
In addition, the removal of Senator
Latimer from the race in the primary
entirely alters the condition of af-
fairs, and that the political situation
in South Carolina had been complete
ly transformed.
Within an hour after the an
nouncement that Senator Latimer
was dead had reached the State
House, 1t was seen that the names Of
more than one member Of the Gen.
eral Assembly would be presented for
the uneXpired term and their friends
at once got to work. This may have
appeared somewhat heartless, but at
that time it was the prevailing opin-
ion that the election would have to
be held on Saturday and it was real
lied that in this case no time could
be lost.
Investigation of the law was set
on foot however and it was then dis
covered that the General Assembly
might not have to elect at this
time, and further, that is was possi-
BILE that the election could not be
information was served from Wash
ington until transmitted through the
message of Governor Ansel Thursday
night, the judiciary committee Of
both House and Senate met and con-
sidered the question that was pre-
sented. Senator Carlisle, chairman
Of the State judiciary committee then
got into communication with Wash
ington and talked with Senator Bail
ey on the long distance telephone,
Mr.. Bailey being regarded as an au-
thority on such questions.
Mr.. Bailey informed Mr.. Carlisle
that after consulting Senator Till
man he and Senator Tillman
were of the opinion that the
General Assembly could at once elect
upon receipt of official notification of
the vacancy but that Senator Hale
and other Republican Senators, who
would in the final analysis decide the
point IL it were raised, held differ
emily and thought that the General
Assembly could not elect until the
second Tuesday after the receipt of
official notification Of the vacancy.
Senator Bailey then advised as it
was a Democratic legislature electing
was Democratic legislature electing
best not to elect anyone now, but to
follow the procedure which Senator
Hale considered legal. In accord
ance with this opinion the Legisla-
ture adjourned on Saturday until
Tuesday, March 8, when it will meet
and elect a Senator for the uneXNlr-
ed term of Senator Latimer, which
has about one year to run yet.
On the understanding that the
General Assembly would elect some
one to fill the uneXpired term alone,
and not one of the candidates for the
long term, the following members OF
the General Assembly were ct once
suggested:
Lieutenant Governor T. G. Mcleod
of Lee County; Hon. Frank B. Gan. ;
Of Abbeville; hon. George Won kol-
nitz, of Charleston; Hon. James Cos
grove, of Charleston; Hon. w. l..
Mauldin, of Greenville; Hon. Legrand
walker, Of Georgetown, Senator;
Hon T.. NJ. Rucker. of Anderson. the
nomo of Cen. Jones, chairman
of the State Democratic committee,
was also presented.
The list of candidates and prob
able candidates, as published in The
News and Courier few days ago,
was a follows: Col. John J Dargan,
of Statesburg, Sumter County; ZION.
10. h. Martin, of Pickens County at
nresent State Superintendent OF Idu-
cation; Hon. D S. Henderson, OIL AK.
en-; Hon. Jas. A. McCulloush' OF
Grecnville; Hon. George Johnstone,
Of Newberry; Hon. E. d. Smith, OF
Flol ence.