The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-12-06
M'lluR|A FOR SENATE.
IMPRESSION PREVAILS THAT HE
WILL ENTER RACE.
Man From Marlboro Has Headquar-
ters I'm Columbia and Talk Is Gen.
eral that He Is Preparing to Enter
Primary Next Summer. He Is
Non-committal.

Columbia. Dec. 3.-The belief that
Senator John l.. McLaurin is going TO
enter the race for the United States
senate next year Is increasing and
speculation as to the outcome Of a
triangular contest between Senator
McLaurin, Governor Blease and Sena-
tor T.. ID. Smith has already begun.
IL is admitted that a better trio of
stump-speakers could not be found.
and political circles are quietly watch
ing for developments in the fight for
the junior senatorship.
Senator McLaurin is In Columbia
but refuses TO talk on politics for pub
lication or make any statement as to
his plans. II Is known that letters
have been pouring in on him from all
sections Of the state urging him to
enter the race for the senate. These
letters come from Tillmanites,
Bleaseites. Anti -Bleaseites, Conser-
vaties and Reforers. The Marlboro
senator Is constantly receiving callers
from every part of the state, and
many men have been in his room at
the Jefferson Hotel this week to shake
his hand and urge him to enter the
senatorial ring.
There are still some people writing
the Marlboro senator to enter the race
for governor. but. II Is believed, they
represent a small minority. Pressure
from strong quarters is being brought
To bear on him TO come into the sena-
toriai light; this Is a patent fact to
anyone on the ground.
Close friends OF Senator McLaurin
have let drop the intimation that his
inclinations are to offer for the senate.
but on this subject he himself has re-
fused to talk when interviewed. He Is
pushing the cotton warehouse bill and
taking active part i'm the fight to
stamp out cotton gambling on the
New York Cotton Exchange. But
when the direct question is put to
him IS to his entering the senatorial
fight he smiles and refuses to be
questioned.
Senator McLaurin has been preach
ing peace and harmony between the
lighting factions Of the Democratic
party In this state and ne says that
this is what he wants to accomplish.
He states that he fears IL the faction
al fight is carrisd much further that
split will be brought about and white
supremacy threatened. He urges the
people to stop and consider where
they. are heading and warns them
against any break in the solidity Of
the white people. The Marlboro sem
ator says that office is a secondary
consideration. that what he wants to
do Is TO bring the people together, and
IL he can do this he will be satisfied
People are curious to know what
Senator McLaurin Is going to do. He
is well known I'm South Carolina and
has many friends over the state. He
is In the prime OF life, we'll versed in
matters OF government. a good poll
tician and one of the best debaters
and stump-speakers OF the day. With
him In the race the complexion would
undoubtedly be changed. An entirely
new element would be injected. max
Ing IL In that event all the more inter-
esting.
IL Is not thought that Senator Nc
Laurin will make any definite an
nouncement until the meeting of the
general assembly.