Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-03-29
ARE THE LISTS CLOSED?
Gubernatorial Situation Unsatisfactory
to Many People.

There Is an element not altogether
satisfied to conffne the choice Of gov
ernor to the two gentlemen already
announced, and this element would be
glad to have one or more in the race
in order that they may not be forced
to accept either Of the two, who, from
all indications are going to make a
campaign of personal bitterness. Both
of the candidates now before the
voters, for a number of years have had
personal antipathy for one another,
and nothing the one would do, or say,
would meet with the approval Of the
other.
Therefore, the campaign which
they will make cannot be Of an edu-
cational value to the masses. The
time of these two gentlemen. will be
taken up in criticising each other, and
thus, the material things which are OF
vital interest to the masses who have
the taxation for the support Of the
government to bear, will be obscured.
Because Of this condition there Is a
growing demand for more material
to select from, and it would not sur
prise us in the least did others throw
their hats in the ring" before the time
expires for the filing Of pledges.
We have been asked the question
'by what authority do those who in
sist there should be only two candi-
dates for GOVERNOR" The office be-
longs to the masses, and not to a CO.
terie of newspaper editors aided and
abetted by few politicians. This be-
ing true. and the fundamental princi-
pie Of the primary system being to
give to the voters material to select
from, 1t is contended that to close the
door Of opportunity against others who
aspire to this high position, Is not In
accordance with the principles of de-
mocracy, but on the contrary, 1t is
worse than the caucus system Of the
convention plan the people repudiated
In 1890. A precedent set this year to
permit a few persons to dictate the
number of candidates there shall be
for an office, and, too, who those can
didates shall be, in our judgment, will
be the beginning Of the end Of the
primary system, and in the course Of
short time place the selection Of
those who are to serve the state, In
the control Of the few. The tendency
on the part of some Is to obtain con-
troll through the elimination Of the
masses by requiring restrictions In the
primary which will insure this con-
troll, and, once the masses "go to sleep
at the SWITCH" their political rights
will be wrecked forevermore.
The point we make Is that no man
or set Of men have a patent right on
the privilege Of being candidate for
the office of governor or any other
office. therefore, when gentlemen con-
template asking the people Of the state
to consider claims for their suffrage.
1t is the height Of arrogance for those
interested In the candidacy Of one who
got into the running before the Gus .
tomary time for announcements, to
attempt to create a feeling Of resent
ment against such. and 1t is our hon
est opinion. the conditions the voters
will confront this summer warrant
the entrance OF men who are prompt
ed from motives of patriotism. The
question Is. will other aspirants for
governor permit themselves to be held
off to crafty a sentiment that Is not
high. nor Is 1t for the good OF the
state? What does 1t behoove the mass
es II the present governor did offend
the former chief justice. and cause
him to give way to passion, and re-
sign an office which he may have lost
anyway II the governor was reelected
with legislature Of his way Of think