The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-06-17
|. D. JENN|klS FOR SENATE.
MAYOR OF SUMTER DECIDES TO
ENTER CONTEST FOR SEN.
ATORIAL TOGA.
Has Not Yet Formulated His Plat.
fOrm,, Which Will Not BE Made
Public Until He Makes Opening
Speech at st. Matthews on Wednes.
day-Mattcr Much Discussed.


The announcement on Saturday af-
ternOOn of the entrance to the sena-
tOrial race of Mayor L. d. Jennings
came as great surprise to many peo-
pie Snpter and throughout South
Carf Rhere up to that time the
RAG ybeen regarded as between
Sc Smith and Governor Blease.
1t > understood, however, sometime
e :: At some Of his friends had been
I $ him to enter the race and that
=. as considering the matter, al
: gh his decision was not made un-
ate Saturday afternoon.
Mr.. Jennings stated this morning
tat he had not formulated his plat
orm and that he probably would not
make any announcements of what
measures he would advocate until he
made his opening speech at ST. Math-
ews on Wednesday. He has for
warded his pledge to the chairman
and treasurer of the party and to the
Secretary Of State and will be in the
race from start to finish. He said that
he had received letters of encourage
ment from prominent men in Green.
vile and Rock Hill this morning. He
did not care to make any other state
ment at tbs time, but would wait and
see how things developed, as the cam
paign went on.
While it is impossible to say what
kind of success will meet his first step
into state politics, his friends say that
Mr.. Jennings will develop q great deal
of strength as the campaign goes on
and will make an excellent showing
when the ballots are counted. 1t is
expected that he will make an ag-
gressive campaign Which will be pros--'
ecuted with his usual untiring
zeal. While he is handicapped by not
being generally known throughout the
State, he is we'll known in this section
and will make himself known and felt
in other sections before the end Of the
summer. He is also q new man in
State politics and is expected to draw
many of the votes which were doubt
full between Blease and Smith here
tOfOrc.
Mr. Jennings is serving his second
term as mayor OF Sumter, having
been reelected to the office under
the City Manager" form Of govern
ment which he helped to inaugurate.
He is one of the leading farmers in
the county, conducting four large
farms himself. He is president of the
Peoples Bank and one of Sumter's
leading attorneys. He has never been
in politics before entering the race
for mayor Of Sumter, except for a
term as magistrate of Providence
township. Besides being interested in
these things, he is always ready to
lend his aid to any enterprise for the
upbuilding of his town and county.
HAVING served two terms as President
OF the Sumter Chi nber of Of Conn.,
merce. He may also be classed as an
ardent sportsman, hunting and fishing
being grouped among those diversions
to which he lends his energies.
The entrance of Mr.. Jennings in
the race for the United States Senate
was the chief subject of discussion on
the streets Sunday and Monday, as
the newest things in politics. The
matter was regarded from Various
angles and points Of view, the general
opinion being that he would put up
good stiff fight. lie will get O good
vote from Sumter county and sur
rounding counties, although some.
who otherwise might have voted for
him, have already pledged themselves
in the senatorial race. 1t is generally
thought here that he will, at least.
cause Il second primary in the race
for United States senate.