The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-06-17
POLLOCK STATES HIS POSITION
CIIERAW CANDIDATE FOR SEN
ATE SETS OUT IN RACE.
Knows OF no Law by Which Retiring
Governor Should be Elected to
United States Senate or Senator
Chosen to Succeed Himself.

Cheraw, June 11.-W. p. Pollock,
candidate for the United States sem
ate. has given out the following open
letter to the people Of the State re-
garding his candidacy.
The time approaches near when
entries will close 'or candidates for
State and nationa )fiices. Many able
and patriotic men have announced
their candidacy for governor and for
other State offices, but so far only
two men have announced their cam
didacy for the United States senate
Sen.. E. d. Smith and Gov. c. L.
Blease.
1 know of no law of the land nor
rule Of the party that gives to a sem
ator the right to succeed himself, but
on the contrary the constitution Of
the United States limits the term to
six years, and at the expiration Of
that term q senaor's commission
goes back to the people whence it
came to be by them bestowed where
they will.
/ know of no law Of the land nor
rule of the party that gives to a gov
ernor the right to succeed to a seat in
the United States senate at the ex-
piration Of his gubernatorial term.
but on the controry a governor who
uses his Office to build up for himself
a political machine with which to
elect himself to some other office
shows that he Is utterly selfish. and
he violates the spirit Of not the let
ter of the constitution.
There Is widespread demand
throughout Sou'h Carolina for a
broader field from which to choose a
United States senator because the
wisest conclusions are reached only
after the fullest discussiOn-the best
representatives Of the people are
found only when the people have a
full field from which to select.
] have been urged by many un.
selfish, patriotic men from every Sec
tion Of South Carolina who have only
the best interests of the State and
her people at heart to enter the race
for the United States senate this year
but l have hesitated to do so before
lest my entrance into the race Nigh,
keep some other man who might be
more acceptable to the people from
announcing his candidacy. But the
time for doubling and waiting has
passed. South Carolina needs the ser.
vices Of her sons. She deserves better
abroad than she has been receiving
at home. She gave me birth and sus.
tenance, and whatever / am 1 owe il
TO her and l gladly place myself u,
her disposal.
| / therefore announce myself q can.
didate for the United States senate ir
the approaching Democratic primary
and in doing so I do not wish any
good, patriotic man who is willing t.
place his services on the altar of hi:
State to stay out Of the race on my
account. but / shall welcome into tho
campaign any coed man who feels
that he can render a patriotic service
to his people.
l am not Il candidate Of any clique
or caucus. l have entered into nc
combination with any man or set Of
men. have nothing to give and
nothing to promise except faithful
service to my country and my people
l am not begging for something fol
myself, but l am exercising the right
that every Democrat in South Caro-
lima has who is 80 years old-the right
to offer his services to his State in the
United States senate. 1t is for the
people to accept or reject those SER
vices. and whether they accept me
or whether they reject me I hope
the people will see in the campaign
that they have the opportunity to vote
for a man and not for mere self
seeking politician and sycOphant, and
that by my efforts something has
been added to the welfare Of South
Carolina and the happiness Of her
people. l, therefore, invite all good
men in South Carolina to join me in
campaign for decency and honor
and law and order, and against cor
ruption and dishOnor and disorder and
llawlessness.
I appeal to the conscience Of the
people of South Carolina to elect to
the senate and to every other office
within their gift the best man who
shall offer, and by the verdict of the
people ! shall be willing to abide.