The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-05
LEVER LIKELY NOT IN RACE.
SEEMS CERTAIN HE WON'T SEEK
SENATORIAL TOGA.
Elimination of Lever, Would, it is
Believed, Quickly Settle Patronage
Ffght-Lever Likely to Stand for
Rc-electiOn to Congress - Blease
Denies that he had Agreement with
Lever Whereby Latter was to Quit
Race.

NoiuNipld, NOV. I.-Inat congress-
man A. f. Lever will announce that
he will not be in the senatorial race,
thus leaving the field to Senator E. j..
Smith and Governor Blease, is the in
formation available in Columbia to-
night from a highland authoritative
source. 1t has been felt here for
some time, as indicated in the News
and Courier already, that Congress-
man Lever had made uD his mind
not to enter the senatorial race, and
the confirmation of this came today
from a source reliable and authorita-
tive.
The announcement from Congress-
man Lever has been awaited for sew
eral weeks. 1t is known that strong
pressure was brought to bear on him
to enter the race for the senate and
it was also reported from reliable
quarters that Senator Tillman was
trying to induce Mr.. Lever to run for
the upper house. 1t is known that
Congressman Lever consulted his
friends from all parts of the State and
he has promised to make a public
statement before returning to Wash
ingtOn.
With the elimination of Mr.. Lever
, from the senatorial fields it is belev-
ed that the South Carolina patronage
, fight will be quickly settled. That the
chances Of the appointment Of F. H.
: Weston, OF Columbia, as district at
torney, and j. l.. Sims, of Orangeburg,
as marshal, are materially strengthen
ed by the turn of events is believed
Those in touch with the situation and
who have been keeping up with the
. steps in this fight and have been read
, ing between the lines have figured out
that lot has been going on behind
the scenes, all having to do with the
next senatorial race. That the NAM
ing of the district attorney and the
United States marshal were involved
. in the senatorial fight no one doubt
ed.
1t is reported here in Columbia,
and has been talked for some time,
that the bill to create two Federal dis
tricts in South Carolina was offered
as solution of the patronage fight
between Senator's Tillman and Smith
and to relieve the national admins.
tration from deciding between them
However, it is understood that the
outlook for the passage of the bill is
not bright, in fact that it is in cold
storage" Hence the matter reverts 10
the original proposition of deciding
which senator will control the appoint
ment, and it seems that the district
attorney is the best.
That the national administration
favOrs the reelection of Senator Smitl,
as against Governor Blease is gener-
ally accepted, and, in fact, the gov
ernor has charged that President Will.
son is using patronage to try to keep
him from the senate.
With the senatorial race left to
Senator Smith and Governor Blease
1t is believed here that President Will.
son will send in the names of F. II.
Weston as district attorney and j. l..
Sims as United States marchal.
The attitude which Senator Till
man will take is unknown and is
situation which is interesting political
circles. That he is making a stren-
uOus effort to land the appointment of
j. w. Thurmond for district attor-
ney is we'll known and just what lie
would do if Mr.. Weston is named is
a matter Of speculation. He and SEN
atOr Smith have signed an agreement
to confirm which ever one of these
two the president names and not to
confirm any dark horse" so it has
been published, but that the senior
senator will consider the appointment
Of Mr.. Weston as turn down for him
is also believed.
1t is believed that CONGRESSMAN
Lever will seek reelection in his dis
trict to congress for he is very popu-
lar, and being chairman of the COM
mittee on agriculture is a power in
the house. 1t is also believed that he
will stard Tor election to the seat now
held by Senator Tillman when the
next election for that seat comes off.
There has been some talk of Con-
gresham Lever as a possible candi-
date for governor, but it is not thought
that he has given this latter sugses-
ton any serious consideration. In
fact' when approached about this
suggestion by this correspondent this
| week, CONGRESSMAN Ievor asked