The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-03-06

and is unanifestly the best advertlsiht
medium In Sumter.
1t Is rumored that Gov. Blease viii
endeavor to have Bleaseite legisla'
tive delegation elected in every coun'
ty in the State. Just supposing that
he should succeed in packing the
General Assembly with his friends
there will be lots Of new faces nex'
session and lots Of statesmen without
Jobs. Strait, Sawyer, Rembert, Josh
Ashley and a few others would be all
OF the old timers left. But the plan
wont work, Blease can't dictate to
the people of South Carolina whom
they shall elect to the legislature.
We have not been informed, but we
presume that Representatives Dick
and Belser will be candidates for re-
election. and Blease will find 1t diff
ficult to displace them. A new man
must be chosen to iii the vacancy in
the delegation, created by the eleva-
ton Of Mr.. Fraser to the Supreme
Bench but we do not believe the
people Of Sumter County will elect
any man who will wear the collar OF
Blease. or of any other politician.
President Taft has captured the
south Carolina delegates to the Re
publican convention and will prob
ably line up all the Southern dele
gates when the roll is called in Chi
eago.
The tariff revision programme OF
the Democrats has reached the sugar
schedule and it is proposed 10 put SUI
gar eu the free list and to recoup
the loss Of revenue this entails by ex-
terdlpg. the present corporation tax TO
include individuals and copartner-
ships having an income Of $1,000 or
more. 1t will be a popular measure
with the millions who consume much
sugar and are not in the $4,000 a
year class, but the plutocrats, big and
little. will denounce it as oppressive
and an invasion Of individual rights.
II will also lead to much perjury and
tax lodging. At least we judge so, If
the Federal law is as generally evad-
ed as is the South Carolina income
tax law.
We are real sorry for candidates
who alway,. hold a unanimous opln-
ion on old subjects, for it is said that
even the candidates for county Offices,
from magistrate to high sheriff, will
be asked to declare for or against
Blease In the approaching campaign.
What an opportunity for the expert
fence stradlers. but what pitiful is
ue on which to make a campaign!
The Republican party in South
Carolina IS certainly a queer con-
rraption. The State Convention
few days ago elected four delegates
a, large and instructed them for
TAFT. but now comes the district con-
vention in Florence and instructs Its
two delegates for Rocsevelt This
looks like playing both ends against
the middle.
If the Boys Corn Club Of Sumter
county is 10 be a success this yeai
substantial prizes should be offered tC
encourage tho young farmers t'
make an effort 10 break Jerry Moore
record
Judge Jones and Gov. Blease ar
scheduled TO speak I'm Hampton coun
ty on the 9Th and il is expected tina
the fur will begin to fly then an'
there. Here's hoping
Farmers in Florence and Darling
ton counties are reported 10 be pre-
parirg to plant a large acreage Il
vatermt Ions. This is the sort of cot
ton acreage reduction that counts.
The children's day program at
tracted a very large crowd Of SINAI
folks at the Savoy Friday afternool