The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-01
A GLANCE INTO the FUTURE.
SOME SPECULATION ON SOUTH
CAROLINA POLITICS.
Possibility of Elimination of Liquor
Question In the Approaching State
Campaign-AnnOun GubcrnatOr-
ial Aspirants-Other Officers Sought
After-Intcresting Races for Con-
gress-Matters Expected to Be
Argued on Stump.

election is the elimination of the
whiskey question. For twenty years
this has been a mooted topic in South
Carolina politics, and there are many
people in this State who now believe
that for once the whiskey question
will not be uppermost in the minds of
the people.
South Carolina has gone from the
saloon system to the State dispensary
from the State dispensary to the coun-
ty dispensary, and thence to partial
prohibition. Now that there are only
six counties in the State having coun-
ty dispensaries and these counties
may under the Carey-Cothran Act
vote out the dispcnsaries at any time
Cor at regularly appointed elections)
there does not appear to be much Of
any liquor question before the people
Of the State.
The Prohibitionists are contending
for a Statewide prohibition bill,
which was overwhelmingly defeated
in the State senate last session under
the implied "let-alone" policy Of the
majority.
Ihere are in the Gubernatorial race
at this stage two prohibition candi-
dates and two local optionists. John
G.. Richards, of Kershaw, and G. G.
Featherstone, of Laurens, are the pro-
hibition candidates, and T. G.. Nc
Leod, of Bishopville. and Cole L.
Blease. Of Newberry, are the local op-
tion candidates.
There is a growing sentiment in
this State to leave whiskey out of the
political arena altogether. The re-
suit would he that which is sought
under the Carey Cothran Act, to let
each county decide for itself as to
whether it wishes whiskcy sold legal
ly or not. The broadening Of the To-
cal optionists' platforms in the ap-
preaching election is along this line.
The two local option candidates have
practically the same whiskey plank.
that Is let each county say whether
1t wishes license, county dispensary or
prohibition. This, it is thought, ought
to make the whiskey question only of
secondary consideration, if to be con-
sidered at all.
Friends of local option candidate,
Il. G. Mcleod, have been heard TO
urge that someone run with him for
Litutenant Governor. c.. A. Smith, of
Tlmmonsville, is the only candidate
definitely announced for Lieutenant
Governor, and it is desired by some
persons that a local optionist make
the race, too.
"A much sought after Job is railroad
commissioner. Only one of the pres
ent commissioners term expires this
year, the chairman. 1t is not definite
ly known whether he will make the
race or not. There have been several
candidates for this position. Dispen-
sary Auditor West has been urged to
run; G. Med. Hampton is in the race:
E. l.. Scarborough is running; G.. III.
Mahon, of Greenville, Cansler, of Tir-
zah, and there may be others.
1T is strange situation that no op-
position has been announced to ny of
the elective officers of the State so far
except that of the Governorship. The
present State officials will very prob
ably all make the race this summer.
The race for congress will be very
interesting, a number of candidates
having offered for the several dis
tricts.
The foremost questions that will be
argued in the approaching race for
Governor will probably be:
/. Taxation.
,. Good roads.
3. Education.
4. Liquor
5. Generalities.
Liquor is placed in the list, because
there is hardly the probability that II
Will be entirely eliminated. At the
same time it will not be stressed so
much as formerly. There is just 1T
this time no big question-unless it be
the tax question--bcforo the people Of
the state. The time has come for
business administration without re.
gard to political matters as rar as pos.
sible. 1t has been said that Governor
Anscls administration was a good bus
mess term.
The political situation is beginning