The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1910-06-16
SECOND DIRTRICT FIGHT.
THINGS REPUTED TO BE WARM
ING UP DOWN THERE.
.Patterson's Record C1ean-He Has
Stuck to Straight and Narrow
Path in House.
Washington, D. c., June 9.-Tht

South Carolina is represented IN
Congress by James O'Hanlon Patter-
son, Of Barnwell. He does not ap-
pear very much in the public prints,
being quiet man and modest one
who performs his performances, as
he sees them incumbent upon him
to perform, without any great fou-
rishes, famboyancy or far-reaching
effects. James F. Byres, right fire.
ouently referred to as Jimmie"
Byrnes; of Aiken, is running against
Mr.. Patterson, and so is G. w. Gar
ris, of Bamberg, he Of the railroad
commission once.
They do say things are going
to be little warm over in the Sec
ond "destrick," though exactly what
about I haven't been able to figure
out. So far as voting is concerned,
Mr.. Patterson has been pretty
straight during the five years he has
been up here. Last year on the tariff
schedules, he had strong influences
brought to bear by the lumber inter-
ests in his district to go wrong, but
he stuck out for the Democratic plat
form and voted straight for free lum-
Der. So they can't spring any lapses
from the straight and narrow politi-
cal paths upon him. What they will
do if they expect to beat brother
Patterson is to outdistance him in the
smiling and hand-shaking business.
Jimmie Byrnes, they say, lays
claim to being some pumkins in this
line himself, and Garris is good on
the baby kissing line.
Garris's Stamping Ground.
The counties in this district are
Aiken, Barnwell, Edgefeld, Hamp-
ton, Saluda, Bamberg and Beaufort,
ir the order of political Importance.
This is the old stamping ground of
Mr.. Garris, who was elected railroad
commissioner, as we'll as Of his father
before him who was something of a
political favorite and leader. The
cotton mill vote, particularly that of
the upper counties where around
about Graniteville, the Horse Creek
valley and other places there are
large aggregations of cotton mill peo-
pie, is generally considered one of
much moment, and potent. Con-
sequently there are numerous babies
about these parts to be kissed. They
tell me that Jimmie Byrnes has al
ways been up to some of that sort of
business among those cotton mill peo-
pie and that Messrs. Garris and Pat
terson had best get their chins shaw
ed and get busy. Congress keeps
Mr.. Patterson here, and will likely
continue to keep him for month
or so longer; but when it does ad-
journ you may just look for him
down and around.
Now of course there are some peo-
pie in the second district, in the coun-
ties of Aiken, Bhrnwell, Edgeheld,
Bamberg, Saluda, Hampton, and
Beaufort, who take an interest in ma
tional questions, and who also have
some knowledge of how certain &C
tions of the Washington govern
mentjincluding Congress effect them
economically as we'll as morally.
These are not to be won by a hand
shake or baby kiss. They expect
their congressman, whoever he be to
be we'll posted about the great affairs
and questions of the nation as well
as to be prominent leader in them.
In some instances you will find in
the second district people who have
that pride about them that they want
their congressman to be one of those
who, when they come to Washington
and look down on the men assembled
in the capitol from all parts of the
country, they will not have to look
up a South Carolinian in order to find
somebody from their district. l say
you will find this to be the case. Such
people from the aforesaid counties
have been in Washington since l
have been up here. OF course, it may
be more or less vain pride, and a
useless one, but then that is the way
they feel about it.
''What's the Use?"
Others say, "0h, we'll, what's the
use? Patterson, it is true, does not
take any part in the debates or in
the councils which decide the affairs
of the country, but he's mighty good
fellow. Then what good could he
accomplish if he did? What good
do the Democrats that do make
speeches, get up schemes, msSoeuvre
emeasures and that sort of thing ac-
m