The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-07-27

An article In the local columns,
commenting on the political situation
In the municipal field. and purporting
so give an outline of public sentiment
relative to the various probable or
prospective candidates for Mayor and
Councilmen. under the commission
FORM OF government. seems to have
created stir out of all proportion
to Its importance. The article i'm
question was inexact and unfortunate
In Its phraseology. in that it stated
"a q fact that the general sentiment
was adverse to the candidacy of any
or the members Of the present or
previous councils-that. to quote the
article. Men who were on the last
council or the present council having
Tor some reason. most generally lost
cut with the general public. insofar
as reelection is concerned" This
statement was unfortunately ex-
pressed since IL did not state the
true condition. nor state exactly what
the reporter intended to say. AS
matter Of fact, the general impress
sion has been that the old council
we're not seeking reelection. and for
mis- reason the discussion Of probable
candidates had taken into consider
alton principally new men. 1t is re-
sretted that Mayor Jennings construed
the article as reflection upon him.
self and other members of the coun-
ell. but In his case. particularly, the
Implied reflection did not apply. since
he had stated publicly that he was
not a candidate. But be that as IL
may. for circumstances frequently
arise that necessitate change of
mind. and a man who at one time
Mas no intention of becoming a can
didate. may be impelled. by changed
conditons. to do so as "a matter OF
public duty or for the purpose Of
vindication. The article which Nav
or Jennings construed as a reflection
was not so intended. since he and
other members OF council had been
eliminated from consideration be-
cause OF the general belief that they
We're not candidates for election un-
Ger the new form Of government. In
spite OF this general belief there has
been considerable talk of inducing
not one, but several of the present
and preceding councils to become
candidates. and this fact was stated
IN the article. contradictory though
II was to the assertion that the old
council had lost out"
We see no reason why a member
Of the present or any preceding coun-
Ell should not be a candidate at this
time and We do not believe there is
any deep-seated opposition to any
Of them that would nitrate against
their candidacy. What people of sum-
ter want is three competent men to
take up the management of the city
as "a usincss proposition and make il
a success. They dc, not care who they
are or whether they have or have not
heretofore served on city council. The
eitiezns OF Sumter want the best men
they can induce to serve on council
and We believe that politics will play
q small part In the primary election
netx week. for majority of the voters
will consider business ability first and
political affiliations second when they
come to cast their ballots. The need
Of the hour Is for sufficient number
Of substantial citizens "a consent To
be candidates In the primary To in
sure the choice Of three competent
men to take over the responsible task
nj ruupfuQ Suu,ter