The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1914-05-15
FORMER GOVERNOR
JOHN GARY EVANS
MAY BE REELECTED
Chairman of State Democratic Ex-
ecutive Committee If He Wishes.
Politicians Are Waiting I'm
til the State Convention.

Columbia, May 9.-In spite Of all
rumors to the contrary it is eviden,
that former Governor John Cary
Evans of Spartanburg will be re-
elected chairman of the State Demo-
cratic executive committee if he
wants the job. This indication is oh
tanned from sources which are of nm
questioned authority and it is he
! lieved here that Governor Evans will
accept reelection.
Representative w. F. Stevenson of
Chesterfield county was quoted here
the other afternoon as saying that he
would offer for the chairmanshin in
the event that Mr.. Evans got out of
the way. but even if Mr.. Evans gets
out of the way there would be vipor-
Gus opposition to the selection of Mr..
Stevenson, according to the way the
current of matters political is run
nlng. Mr. Stevenson is running for
congress up in the fifth district and
many think it would be mistak, to
take any candidate and make him
State Chairman. Outside of this.
however, 1t Is evident that Mr.. Stew
ensons election would be extremely
doubtful
Political centers are markinr time
waiting until the State convention
meets on May 20. The administration
forces are very quiet on the surface
but there are signs of much coming
and going and it is believed that theV
have about mapped out plan of
campaign. The cheerfulness of their
leaders and the many prominent
bleaseltes that have been in Columbia
IN the past few days are sore of the
straws leading those in touch with
matters to believe that the admin
lstNtion people have outlined their
campaign. 'e'i
While rejoicing over the sweeping
anti..Blease victory in the county con-
Ventions the leaders of the Opposition
TO the administration have not for
gotten two years ago. The conven-
zion then was overwhelmingly domi-
mated by the followers of Judge Ira
b. Jones just as the coming conve,-
tlon will be in the hands of the fol
lowers of United States Senator e, d.
Smith. 1t is true that the Smith peo.
pie are pointing out that the Blease
followers or rather their leaders made
desperate efforts to capture the club
meetings this year and were inun-
dated. That two years ago the ad-
lmimstration leaders. had . not made
any apparent efforts to get control o3
the county conventions and this they
are emphasizing. However, the les.
sons OF two years ago are in the
minds of the leaders of the forces now
In control of the machinery of the
party. - WAY
Primary reform will be the big is.
sue before the convention and the
friends of the effort to have the gen.
eral election requirements applied tc
the primary are making a vigorous
campaign to carry the matter through
McMahan and the Richland delega.
the State convention. Mr.. John ]
ton will be the leaders in this effor,
and it is believed that they will at.
tract support from other counties. A
great many Of the counties endorsed
primary reform and there is very lit.
tie doubt but that some reform Of the
primary will be put through. The
only difference is over how far reach.
ing and how stringent the reform
should be. Some of the leaders are
opposed to the proposition to make
the general election qualifications >ap
ply to the primary while still Others
say anything less than this will be 8
makeshift and accomplish nothing
This is the issue over which the fight
Will come in the convention.