The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-01-19
COLUMBIA POLITICAL GOSSIP.
Men Who Are Being Slated as Candi-
dates in Next Election.


columbia, Jan. 16.-The gather ing
in the legislature of a number of
men from every county who are all
more or less interested and experi-
enced in politics is always naturally
the time for giving more or less de-
fnfteness to State politics as to entries
for office, and this session preceding
a general State primary there is more
political talk than usual N>But the
session is only a week old nov and
much more interesting Developments
are expected little later on.
TIL most important fact, or proba-
bility so strong that it practically
amounts to a fact, in that Attorney
General Lyon will not be in the race
for governor. This will cause keen
disappointment among thousands of
loyal friends and admirers, who think
he should be rewarded with the office
of governor for the long and arduous
work he has done in persuit of the
dispensary grafters, and without
meaning any disrespect toward Mr..
Lyon and his friends it might be
remarked that his absence from the
gubernatorial race will also be keen
disappointment to those who are after
his political scalp, for the whetting of
knives for him has been going on for
many months among those who have
been pinched by his dispensary work
or who are opposed to him for other
reasons. Mr.. Lyon has made no
statement as to his intentions, but
the general understanding among
those who seem to be satisfied that
they have the matter sized Up cor
rectly Is that Mr.. Lyon does not re-
gard his dispensary prosecutions suf-
nciently complete to warrant his
giving SO much time to the campaign
this summer. He will probably run
for reelection to his pres position.
It has been suggested that he he re-
served to run against United States
Senator Tillman, and reelection as
attorney general would put hin. in
position to enter this race, but his
friends say he has no intention of
making the race against Tillman.
Ex-speaker Of the house Of repre-
sentatives, M. L. Smith has been
spoken Of as likely candidates this
summer for attorney general. but It
Is likely that he will come back TO
the house instead and run for speak
er. He will be opposed by NJ d. d.
McColl Of Marlboro. Both are effi-
cient and popular and the race will
likely be close one whether only
these two enter or not.
1t Is likely that there will be three
candidates for governor from adjoin.
Ing counties-Represent John G..
Richards. OF. Kershaw, Lieut.. Gov. T.
G. Mcleod, Of Lee, and Richard T.
Manning, Of Sumter. Messrs. Man
ming and Mcleod, are positively an
nounced
The adjoining counties Of New
berry and Laurens in the Piedmont
section. will also certainly have gu
bernatorial candidates out next sum-
mer-Cole L. Blease Of Newperry and
c. c. Featherstone Of Laurens.
The prohibitionists are active and
will make determined fight for
State-wideism at the present session
and believe they can win. The bill
they will push will be about the same
as that which passed the house last
session, with possibly some additions
providing for enforcement of the law
Dispensary Auditor II. b. West. VIII }
will be legislated out of office if
State-Wideism prevails. will proba bly
be offered the position to see to the
enforcement of the prohibition act if
1T can be passed. He acted as secre-
tary of the recent prohibition confer
ence.
owing to the change I'm mo bour