The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-03
THE SITUATION IN SOUTH CARO-
LIMA.

THE SITUATION IN SOUTH CARO-
South Carolina is suffering from
atavism of what was worst in Till
manism. Conditions there now closely
resemble those OF the early nlneties.
when Tillman wrought social and 20
litical revolution by arraying class
against class. Twenty years ago every
South Carolinian was commonly re-
ferred to as a Tllmante or anti-Til-
mantle, just as to-day he is known as
Bleasite or an anti-Bleasite Both
Blease and ,Tllman derived their might
from successful appeals to class hatred,
to Blind prejudice. to the forces OF ig-
norance and illiteracy. There are in
the train of Blease now. rs there were
in the train of Tillman twenty years
ago. thousands of good. honest. we'll
meaning. upright and patriotic men.
Blease receives his most powerful sup
port from much the same constituency
that Tillman did. but no further must
the parallel be drawn. Blease has out
Heroded Herod. Tillman was real
constructive force in certain directions.
Two great state schools one for the
| agricultural and mechanical education
OF young men, and the other for the
higher education of young women, arc
enduring monuments to Tillman's serv-
ice TO the common people. Blease has
simply reversed the brakes. and prog
ress in all lines of State activity has
almost been stopped in South Carolina
since ne clambered up the steps of
demagoguery to the seat OF control.
The present outlook in South Caro-
lima completely discourages optimism.
1t seems TO be generally agreed that
lSlease is stronger to day than he was
in the last primary. Few hold TO the
opinion that he can be defeated for the
United States senatorship when next
summer he opposes Senator Ellison ID.
Smith. although the latter is no mean
exhorter when ii comes to stirring up
the boys, and is we'll and favorably
known 10 the farmers OF the State as
n ''savigerous" advocate of l5-cent cot
ton. Blcasc has n most efficient ma
chine behind him. composed largely Of
his supporters whom lac has put into
Office He has said that in appoint
ing to Office, IL stand by my friends.
and no anti Blease man need apply"
and he has kept his word Some weeks
ago he named prospective Blease
candidate for Congress as special
associate justice OF the State Supreme
Court. and later to like position. he
appointed n candidate for n permanent
associate justiceship. Through the APP
pointvc power he is constantly
strengthening his forces. large ele-
ment OF the population containing
much OF the Ignorance and illiteracy
in the State. possessing neither prop
erty nor common interest with other
citizens. is completely under DONNA
tion. To very large extent. please
has arrayed labor against capital, en-
ploycr against empioyo. the fliterate
against the educated, and the lawless
against The law abiding.
= lax. ineffective and unguarded
election law was largely Responsible
for Blease's last election. and viii play
no small part in future elections in
which he participates. unless il is dras-
tcally amended. but Blease's strong
hold is the ill!tcrate vote Thousands
who can neither read nor write. VINO
have never crossed the threshold OF a
schoolhouse, who uck even flnda-
mental conception OF right, vote un-
questioninEly for please, and will vote
for him and his favoritcs as long as