The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1913-11-04
mentioned tefore.

matter mentl0ned LFIore.
Ali Of the n:e!nters of congress from
this State we're visitors at the fair
this week as was Senator Smith. The
mex: senatorial fight IS said to have
b2en talked considerably in Columbia
all this week.
Had Smith Retired.
That Congressman Lever would have
made the race for the senate against
Governor Blease if Senator Smith
would have retired is also believed, but
Senator Smith is going to make the
fight. His friends think tnat he can
win, they say so in large numbers.
Friends of Congressman Lever, some
of them at least, told him that if he
entered the senatorial race with Sena-
tor Smith and Governor Blease he
would stand good chance of being
sacrificed and would endanger his
whole political future. Some Of his
most staunch supporters vigorously
opposed him entering the senatorial
fight and then, too, they pointed out
the general impression which in their
opinion is Statewide that Mr.. Lever
is the natural and logical man to take
the place of Senator Tillman when he
retires from the senate. Mr.. Lever is
strong all over the State and could
make a good showing in race for the
senate even against Senator Smith and
Governor Blease that every one admits.
But some of the most prominent Of his
supporters think it would be political
suicide for MIN to go into the fight.
It is generally believed here that if
Mr.. Weston is named district attorney
that the chances are that Senator Till
man will take no part in the next
senatorial race, but this is purely
matter of speculation in political cir.
cles.
OICdS6 mGACS OtdCC4Cut
Governor Blease tonight emphati-
cally denied the report that while on
his recent visit to Washington an
agreement had been reached between
him and Congressman Lever whereby
the latter agreed to keep out of the
senatorial race next year, and in turn
the governor was to support him for
the seat now held by Senator TilIman
whenever it should become vacant.
There is nothing in it; I am not In
a combination with Mr.. Lever or any
other man. said the governor. The
rumor that Congressman Lever had de-
cided not to enter the senatorial race
next year gained currency throughout
political circles, and the report of the
alleged combination referred TO with
Governor Blease was given in certain
quarters as the real reason why Mr..
Liver would not make the race for
the senate next year. The governor
laughed at the rumor and reiterated
his previous statement that he was
in no combination Of any kind.
The governor said that while in
Washington he met Congressman and
Mrs. Lever On the street and spoke to
them, but that politics was not dis
cussed. He said that was the only
time he saw Mr. Lever while on his
recent visit to Washington
Rumors of all kinds have been float
ing about, one being that the Blease
forces had seriously considered run
ming Mr.. Lever for governor, but there
appears to be nothing to this. AT least
Governor Blease says he has no knowl-
edge of it. 1t was said here tonight
that if Senator Tillman's seat
should become vacant that at least a
dozen candidates would enter the field
for the vacancy and that Governor
Blease might be- among the number.
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